Bahia Lagoon Bird Walk

Join guest leader Heather Cameron and Jack from Nature in Novato for this walk at the Bahia Lagoon in northern Novato. This pond near the mouth of the Petaluma River is a local hotspot for common goldeneye (with a few of the less common Barrow’s goldeneye often present), as well as other diving ducks and grebes, raptors including kestrels, kites, and harriers, and a variety of other wetland and open country songbirds including song and Savannah sparrows, Say’s phoebes, and western meadowlarks. After observing the water birds for an hour and a half or so, we will briefly adjourn to the very nearby Bahia trailhead of the Rush Creek Open Space Preserve, from where we can see some different ducks and shorebirds on the tidal mudflats as well as woodland songbirds for our remaining hour.

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 a short distance on mostly level trails at a slow pace, with no challenges other than winter birding’s possibilities of cool temperatures and a few puddles. (And we’ve even scheduled this as a rare afternoon walk to try to avoid the chilliest morning conditions!)

Reserve your space by selecting your number of participants and clicking on “Confirm RSVP” above.  This walk is now fully booked; check back soon for next month’s events.

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 Bahia, take the Atherton exit off 101 in northern Novato. Travelling east on Atherton, turn left on Bugeia Ln, which turns into Bahia Dr. At the end of Bahia Dr, turn right on Topaz and continue to the end, where you can park by the club house, which has an address you can use for a convenient GPS reference at 3008 Topaz Dr, Novato, and on the adjacent dead-end roadside.

Header photo: common goldeneye by zenbikescience.