Point Reyes Visit - thoughts

I'll be in San Francisco for a conference all of next week, and hoped to sneak up to Point Reyes at some point. I was there a year and a half ago in spring, and had a few hours at Point Reyes. Didn't know anything about it, and ended up driving aimlessly, stopping at a few places. I did well, but then again, since I've rarely visited the West Coast since becoming a birder, there's a heck of a lot of potential new stuff for me to see.

Any help/thoughts on birding Point Reyes in December? If you had one day, what parts of it would you focus on? I don't know what's around in December. I have absolutely nothing for rocky shoreline species like Oystercatchers or Surfbirds and the like. I don't have any Scoters or some other waterfowl that I see might be there. Any chance to even see a Peregrine? White-tailed Kite? What shorebirds might be around in winter? What are some good spots for the terrestrial birds in the area?

Lots of birds I see on a general species list for Point Reyes that I don't have, but nothing on the list I found shows seasonality or rarity, so I don't know what's around in December or how common they all are. Or minor details like where to find them.

Terry, I've only visited Point Reyes a few times (and unlucky briding-wise I might add). That being said its an awesome area. Along the way if you drive up hwy1 there is Bolinas Lagoon (just north of Stinson Beach). Here's a site from a 2007 Christmas Bird Count from Point Reyes, it might give you an idea of where to go for particular species (http://www.forestdata.com/cbc/details.html). And of course there is the NPS site (http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_birds.htm). You can also check for recent rare and not-so-rare sightings around the area at www.sialia.com.

As an addition or alternative to Point Reyes, the SF Bay area has some incredible birding spots. I'm more familiar with the southern portions of the bay area: Redwood Shores, Palo Alto Baylands, Shoreline Lake/Park, Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, Coyote Hills, and many of the Mid--peninsula Open Space Preserves - all less than an hours drive from SF, depending on traffic (and how you drive ). Of course I'd be happy to give a bit more info on these areas if you'd like.

Thanks Greg! I don't know the area, and aren't very fond of driving somewhere like this (I take gravel roads to work here!!!). I'll probably only have 1 day to actually bird, so was going to spend the whole day at Point Reyes.

Actually am coming to Menlo Park, BTW. I'm US Geological Survey, and our USGS partners on my project are in Menlo. That was when I was last out...to visit with them.

Hi Terry,

The places that Greg listed in his reply (Redwood Shores, Palo Alto Baylands, Shoreline Lake/Park, etc.) are within 10-20 minutes of driving from Menlo Park. Just thought I'd mention this in case you don't end up going to Point Reyes.

Regards.
-Anil

Hey Terry. I think there is a place called Drakes Estero in Point Reyes. Might check it out on the net since I haven't lived there in three plus years. Also i think Tomales Bay SP might be a good birding spot, and that is on the Point Reyes peninsula as well.

I'm not a birder so all I have is incidental knowledge. You'll find brown and white Pelicans, some Egrets and GBH's on Bolinas Lagoon.

- Dan.

You can find oystercatchers, surfbirds and turnstones at Sutro Baths right in the city. Also check out the newly restored Heron's Head Park down by the ballpark. Crissy Lagoon is excellent. Ocean Beach has Western Snowy Plovers as well as willets, marbled godwits, sanderlings and occasional others. I'd also recommend Pescadero Beach and Marsh while you're down south. Pt. Reyes is big and spread out, and it's a long way to go. Abbott's Lagoon is a favorite birding area there, but it's not an easy place to photograph birds. There are sandhill cranes out in the delta. I have a few local spots covered by month on my blog: http://jwallphoto.blogspot.com/

Terry -

If you have time, get your hands on Birding Northern California, by John Kemper; it has 10 pages on the Pt. Reyes area, lists species by season and much more. ISBN 1-56044-832-6. The Visitor Center likely sells it. I have a long list of life birds from Pt. Reyes, and migration is still decent through December, although the weather can be pretty grim.

One caution: if you leave the trail, be careful. There's a lot of poison oak. The branches will give you a rash even if they don't have leaves. Nothing to worry about if you are careful.

One caution about the Pt. Reyes area is how often it gets fogged/clouded in, especially in the winter months. Was there last year in late November and spent the day looking at a fog bank. Long drive from Menlo Park for possible disappointment. Would take some of the above suggestions and try birding the southern end of SF Bay.

Terry,

Can't help much with the birding and since you've already been once, you know that Point Reyes is BIG it will be tough to cover more than a couple of locations in one day.

I'm sure you will check, but the bad news for next week is RAIN! Suppose to start this weekend. Sorry!

Lon

Yeah, saw the forecast. Looks like I'm one week late for great weather.

Wasn't really expecting sunshine though!!

Terry,

Although Point Reyes is stunning, it si about two hours away from Menlo Park, and the locations that Greg mentioned are only about 20 minutes from Menlo Park and might be much more productive for you.