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California Gull by Diane McCoy
Field Trip: Gull Birding from Byxbee Park to Palo Alto Flood Basin (Palo Alto)
Let's go check on the California Gull colony to see how the chicks are doing.
Newly hatched ones were just spotted mid-June; fluffy gray on wobbling legs.
We will start the trip near the new horizontal levy in front of the Palo Alto Water Treatment plant, looking over Harbor Marsh. Rails, Marsh Wrens, Ravens and Harriers frequent here. We will follow the trail south, paralleling San Francisco Bay/PA Flood Basin on our left and Adobe Creek on our right.
Serenading Song Sparrows, Mockingbirds and Forster's Terns will capture our attention.
Arriving at the colony, besides gull we'll look for cormorants, pelicans, ducks and Turkey Vultures.
Trip Difficulty: 3 miles, packed-dirt trails, little or no elevation gain, little to no shade, some benches
Other Trip Notes: This trip will cancel if the weather is too hot. Highly recommended to bring water and wear hat.
Leaders: Diane McCoy (650) 714-3769
Family Friendly Ages 14 and up, No elevation gain, Beginner Friendly
Meet: sidewalk near T-intersection of Embarcadero Road
Directions: Note: we are not meeting in the Byxbee Park parking lot. From US-101, take the Embarcadero Road exit east towards the bay. Continue on Embarcadero Road for about half a mile, past the Palo Alto airport entrance. At the stop sign at the T-intersection, make a U-turn and park along the north side of Embarcadero Road. Please do not park in the no-stopping zones. Cross the street to meet on the sidewalk near the T-intersection, next to the interpretive sign. Latitude/Longitude for parking: 37.4538935, -122.1102540. Latitude/Longitude for meeting: 37.4538456, -122.1102412
Facilities: ADA accessible bathroom, drinking water, cell phone service
Parking Type and Fees: street parking, no fees
Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvbirdalliance.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.
