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Coyote Point Recreation Area
Harlequin Duck by Teresa Cheng
Leaders: Sheila Raymond (408-887-4854), Andy Melnick (650-823-4117), Dan Bloch (650) 862-2178
Description: This field trip explores several different habitats at Coyote Point including the San Francisco Bay side, the marina, mud flats, open fields, and wooded hilltop. Species of interest may include: a boatload of ducks (if lucky including Harlequin), gulls and terns, shorebirds, kingfisher, pygmy nuthatches, sparrows, and overwintering and early arrival warblers.
Location: Coyote Point Recreation Area, 1701 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo, CA 94401.
Level of Difficulty: All levels of birding skills and experience.
Availability: Spots are limited to 15 attendees.
Accessibility: This field trip is probably manageable for people with slight mobility limitations, but may not be appropriate for wheelchairs.
COVID protocol: Everyone attending this trip must be fully vaccinated.
Trip difficulty: Easy. All bird watching is done on foot at the marina and on the trails in the park. Total walking distance should be less than 2 (two) miles.
Getting There: The park is located on the San Francisco Bay in San Mateo County east off the Peninsula Avenue exit (417B) from US Highway 101 next to the Poplar Creek Golf Course; from the exit proceed a total of about 1.1 miles east on Coyote Point Drive; once inside the park follow signs toward the marina/harbormaster. We will meet at the parking area adjacent to the Coyote Point Marina near the Eucalyptus Group Picnic Areas (1701 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401. Latitude/Longitude: 37.587953, -122.318772.
Facilities: Vault toilets.
Fees: $6 vehicle entry fee; waived under certain conditions, including for seniors (62+ Mon-Fri non-holidays) -- see https://www.smcgov.org/parks/fees-charges for additional information.
Lunch: Bring if you like -- we plan to replenish ourselves after an exhilarating morning of birding at the picnic area near the marina at the conclusion of the trip.
Adverse conditions may result in cancellation of this trip on short notice.
Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvas.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.