Palo Alto Baylands (Summer)
Emily Renzel Wetlands
by Dan Bloch
Emily Renzel Wetland is a small but delightful birding spot just east of US-101, about halfway between Charleston Slough and Palo Alto Baylands. It consists of two freshwater ponds separated by a causeway (the causeway is relatively new--Google Maps still shows them as one big pond). The wide gravel trails can be birded easily in an hour or so, and combines well with Charleston Slough or Palo Alto Baylands (by car). The ponds feature many breeding waterfowl, including Common Gallinule, Pied-billed Grebe, Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, and Cinnamon Teal.
Trip Covers: June - August
Key Birds: Pied-billed Grebe, Common Gallinule
How to Bird
The gate opens alongside the south pond, where you'll see some of the ducks and geese and nesting grebes, as well as swallows, cormorants, and sometimes pelicans. But the north pond is the more interesting of the two so turn left at the trail and head toward the north pond. As you near the end of this pond check the pipes connecting it to the north pond--egrets and herons like this area.
North Pond of Emily Renzel Wetlands. Photo: Mary Ann Roberstson
Continuing on to the north pond you'll see many more ducks and geese, and now you'll encounter the Emily Renzel signature bird, the Common Gallinule. By late summer, you can see young from two broods, recent downy young as well as near-full-size immatures from early summer broods.
Common Gallinule by Tom Grey
Proceed around the pond clockwise (or counterclockwise--there's no wrong way to do this). The north and west sides of the pond have a number of little islands, with a lot of activity between the islands and the shore. The larger islands have dozens, maybe hundreds of Mallards and Canada Geese on them. Marsh Wrens will make themselves heard, if not seen. You'll see passerine birds like Lesser Goldfinches and Bushtits in the vegetation on the side of the trail away from the pond. Keep an eye on the sky for White-tailed Kites and Red-tailed Hawks. Also look for Pied-billed Grebe nests. These float on the water and the grebes build them surprisingly close to shore.
When you reach the south pond again, you can decide whether to complete the loop around that pond or go back to your car. The south pond isn't as birdy as the north, but it's better for swallows, swifts if you're lucky, and the occasional tern. It also has additional grebes' nests. On the other hand, you may want to move on to Charleston Slough or Palo Alto Baylands.
Even if you continue on to the south pond, don't skip the causeway between the two ponds. This frequently has activity close to shore, and you'll see the islands across the pond from an angle you don't get otherwise, with more ducks and chances to see all of the local herons.
Green Heron by Tom Grey
Directions
From the south, take 101 north to the San Antonio exit. Turn right onto San Antonio Rd. Turn left at the first light onto East Bayshore Rd. and drive 1.3 miles till you see cars parked on the side of the road and a sign for Emily Renzel Wetlands. (Not the little parking lot half a mile before that. If you see a sculpture of a bicyclist, keep going.)
From the north, take 101 south to the Embarcadero Rd/Oregon Expwy exit. Follow signs for Embarcadero Rd East (the exit is a little tricky). Turn right at the first light onto East Bayshore Rd. and drive 0.6 miles till you see cars parked on the side of the road and a sign for Emily Renzel Wetlands. Make a U-turn to park. Latitude/Longitude: 37.441700, -122.114918
Parking: On side of East Bayshore Rd.
Fees: None
Trail Hours: 8am to Sunset
Facilities: None
Trip Mileage: 1 mile
Trail Conditions: Wide gravel surface
Accessibility: Trails around the ponds are wide with a flat gravel surface and they are wheelchair accessible. Enter the area left of the gate where there is a 3 ft wide opening. The entrance to the ponds is a 3% to 15% dirt ramp which is not ADA compliant.
Bikes: Suitable for biking
Dogs: Not allowed
More Information
Emily Renzel Wetlands are part of the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve.
eBird hotspot: Emily Renzel Wetlands
All About Birds: Common Gallinule
Killdeer with young by Tom Grey
More Resources
For more trips like this one, visit Self-guided Field Trips.
Visit the SCVAS Birding Resources page for more information on where to bird, our birding community, birding identification resources, and more.
Read “What to Look for Now” by SCVAS Executive Director Matthew Dodder.
Banner Photo Credit: Pied-billed Grebe by Tom Grey
Last Updated: 03/23/2022
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