Las Gallinas Ponds Bird Walk

Join guest leader Mark Schulist and Jack from Nature in Novato for this walk at San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Ponds. These water treatment ponds offer year-round, food-rich waters that attract a wide variety of birds and this is the busiest season of all. We’ll see hundreds of ducks, as well as other waterbirds, raptors, and songbirds. This is one of the best places to start learning about birds, with a large variety of distinctive, easy to see species at relatively close distances. To learn more about the birds of Las Gallinas, see our site profile.

Bring binoculars if you have them and please leave pets at home; we will have a few extra loaner pairs of binos and a few spotting scopes to share. We will be walking up to two miles at a slow pace on a level trail. Reserve your space by selecting your number of participants and clicking on “Confirm RSVP” above.

Wild Birds Unlimited bird walks are intended for persons in reasonably good health and physical condition. Participants must be capable of walking over uneven terrain and be adequately prepared for the prevailing outdoor conditions. By registering for this walk, I acknowledge that participation entails known and unanticipated risks, including personal injury to myself and others and property damage. Notwithstanding these risks, I wish to assume them by voluntarily participating in these activities. I hereby release Wild Birds Unlimited and its officers, employees, and affiliates from any and all liability for any injury or loss arising out of my participation in these activities.

Directions to meeting area: To reach the Las Gallinas Ponds, head east on Smith Ranch Road and continue to the end of the road where it enters McInnis Park. Immediately after crossing the train tracks, turn left (following the small sign for the wildlife ponds) and continue until you reach the small parking area across the bridge from the ponds. The address for the adjacent water treatment facility is 300 Smith Ranch Road, which will essentially take you there – just park at the public parking area outside of the facility.

Header image: A pair of common mergansers at Las Gallinas, by Doug Greenberg on Flickr.