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Members Only Field Trip: Año Nuevo in Summer (San Mateo County)
Pigeon Guillemot by Treasa Hovorka
Ano Nuevo State Park features stunning coastal landscapes and a variety of habitats: chaparral, coastal scrub, rocky shores, and sandy beaches. At this time of year, we will be on the lookout for a couple of target species: Black Swifts and Bank Swallows, both of which are difficult to find in the Bay Area.
We will start the day by birding the areas around the parking lot and visitor center to look for breeding songbirds. We will then bird our way out towards the staging area and eventually the coast. Once we get out towards the beaches and rocky shores, we have opportunities to observe species such as Pigeon Guillemots and Black Oystercatchers. June is the time of year for Northern Elephant Seals to be molting on the beaches - hopefully we will get to see some as well!
Once we return back to the parking lot, those interested can stick around for lunch at the picnic tables and talk about the highlights of our field trip.
Optional: pack your own lunch/snack and we'll picnic together afterwards.
Trip Difficulty: 3-4 miles; packed-dirt trails, uneven or rutted trails, steep in some sections, little to no shade, poison oak alongside trail (wear long pants), sand dune trails
Other Trip Notes: Bring layers (coast can be foggy quite foggy and/or windy)
Leaders: John Tsortos (408) 348-6805, Connor Christensen (714) 616-4866
Intermediate Level Birding
Meet: Far (south) end of parking lot
Directions: From CA-17 exit north onto Mission St/Hwy 1 towards Half Moon Bay. Continue on CA-1 N for about 20 miles. The parking lot will be on your left. Lat/Long: 37.120036, -122.307151
Facilities: bathroom, drinking water
Parking Type and Fees: paved parking, $10 California State Park fee or bring a pass
Banner Photo: Pigeon Guillemot by Treasa Hovorka
Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvbirdalliance.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.