November 1997, Volume 31, Number 3

Contributions Pay Off in Stronger Programs November General Meeting Pee Wee Explores Ocean Shores Thank You Christmas Bird Count Old Field Guides Needed Audubon Adventures New Name for Pee Wee? Birding Bodega Bay: Fall and Winter Faire for the River Midweek Walkabout Results Pee Wee Report Beginners Bird Walks Some New Splits Through the Garden Gate: Backyard Birding Welcome New Members

Birding Bodega Bay: Fall and Winter by Betty Burridge Fall and winter are especially exciting times around Bodega Bay, which has probably the hottest birding spots in Sonoma County. More rare birds have been seen here than in any other area in the County. Owl Canyon, "Hole-In-The-Head" at Campbell Cove, and the bushes below Diekmann's Store consistently yield great finds to the patient birder. In September and October, rare Eastern migrating landbirds begin to show up in the trees at Owl Canyon, and in the willows at the "Hole-In-The-Head". If you see a kingbird on the fence leading up to the headlands, it probably is the rare Tropical Kingbird, so check all birds carefully. Migrating shorebirds also begin to arrive in large numbers then. By November, the populations are more stable, as most birds are no longer passing through, but rather are settling down for the winter. Some waterfowl will be here; look for rare Eurasian Wigeon in the harbor. You may find unusual birds near the boat launch ramp at Westside Park: Emperor Goose and Steller's Eider have hung out here in the past. Late in the month, Rough-legged and Ferruginous Hawks may be seen. Look off-shore from the headlands for pelagic species that may have been blown close to shore by storms. A few very rare Eastern migrants may still be found in Owl Canyon or in the trees lining the road to the "Hole-In-The-Head" at Campbell Cove. By December and January, over 100 species of birds can be seen here almost any day. Look for lingering rarities almost anywhere. The Japanese Maples under the parking deck at Diekmann's Store may harbor Selasphorus hummers or rare warblers. The surrounding mudflats can have Northern Waterthrush. Look for Swamp Sparrows and rails in the marsh on the left as you walk on the wooden boardwalk out toward the "Hole-In-The-Head" pond. Be sure to check the Rare Bird Hot Line (415-681-7422) after the Christmas Bird Count, to see what new rarities may have turned up. Madrone Audubon organizes many birding trips to Bodega Bay, including Walkabouts, Field Trips and Beginners Bird Walks. This is also a prime spot for the Christmas Bird Count. How to Get There From Santa Rosa, take Highway 12 west through Sebastopol. Continue west on Bodega Highway 10.8 miles to Highway 1. Turn north on Highway 1 and continue 5 miles to the town of Bodega Bay. To get to the west side of Bodega Harbor, continue north of town to Eastshore Road and turn left. At the bottom of the hill turn right on Westside Road to drive around the Harbor to "Hole-In-The-Head" and Bodega Head. Places to Bird at Bodega Bay Doran Regional Park: The park is located on a large sand spit. On the ocean side pelagic birds can be seen. Snowy Plovers live above high tide line on the beach, especially at the east end near the toll booth. On the harbor side, shorebirds gather on the mudflats. Also look for waterfowl on the open water. There is a small day use fee. Camping, picnic tables, sandy beach, flush toilets, telephones, and paved parking lots. Doran Pond: A tidal pond on the right hand side of the road approaching the entrance to Doran Park. Wildlife viewing pullouts are available on each side of the road. Watch for shorebirds and waterfowl (fewer in summer). Listen for rails in the marshes there all year round. Smith Brothers Road: Shorebirds, gulls, terns, pelicans and raptors can be observed on the mudflats below. Pull off the road carefully, and watch for poison oak. Diekmann's Store Parking Lot: Overlooks shrubbery that harbors migrants and vagrants. It is courteous to patronize the store if you use their parking lot. The "Rail Ponds": Beginning at the intersection of Bay Flat Rd. and Westshore Rd., the two ponds lie on either side of a connecting road where a wrecked potato boat has been decaying for years. Virginia and Sora Rails are here year round, and the Virginia's have bred here. Look for warblers in the willows lining the ponds. Spud Point Marina: May have several species of loons, and alcids seeking refuge from storms. Spud Point: The next mudflat southeast of the marina. Shorebirds, gulls, or windsurfers frequent this spot, depending on the tides. Westside Park Boat Launch: There is a good view of birds floating on the harbor's open water from here, and occasional rarities show up at the boat launch. Walk in or pay day use fee. Flush toilets, telephone, campground adjacent. Gaffney Point, now part of the U. C. (Bodega) Marine Lab: Here, Westside Road offers good viewing of mudflats. Depending on season and tides, shorebirds, gulls, terns, pelicans and raptors can be found. Owl Canyon (unofficial name): Accessible from a very large pullout on the right (west) side of Westside Road. Look for a steep, narrow trail that climbs up into the second eucalyptus grove at south end of the pullout. Great Horned and Barn Owls live in this canyon and in the other eucalyptus nearby. This canyon with its freshwater stream and dense riparian cover is a refuge for errant migrants almost all year long, but especially in the fall. "Hole-In-The-Head" at Campbell Cove: A deep, freshwater pond, originally dug to accommodate a nuclear power plant (later found to be located on a fault line). Now a wooden boardwalk makes the viewing platform at the pond and its adjacent marshy area wheelchair accessible. Rails and Swamp Sparrows can be found in the marsh in winter. Breeding Black-crowned Night-herons are at eye level across the pond in spring and summer. Migrants and vagrants may be hiding in the willows. Across the parking lot is a good picnic area, with tables, pit toilet and a great view of the breakwater and the marine entrance to Bodega Bay. Bodega Head Parking Lot: From the highest view point at the south end of the parking lot which faces the ocean, shorebirds can be seen on the rocky sea stacks below. Pelagic Cormorants and Pigeon Guillemots nest on cliff faces to the south. A loop walking tour (allow at least an hour) on a safe but narrow trail around "The Head" will take you past many more nesting cliffs, sea stacks, Sea Lion rocks, and open coastal plains and bluffs. Gray Whales and other cetaceans can be seen off shore in winter and early spring. There is also a great walk north of the parking lot toward the U. C. (Bodega) Marine Lab. Pit toilets; no picnic tables; somewhat hazardous access to a small beach below. (Abstracted from "Birding in the North Bay" by Betty Burridge, on Madrone Audubon's Web Site: audubon.sonoma.net.)

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