Ducks & Peeps!

This morning walk will take us on multiple trails within the beloved Coyote Hills Regional Park complex to search for southbound, migrating shorebirds and inbound, wintering waterfowl. We’ll first check out the reedy margins of the marshes on Chochenyo and Muskrat trails, keeping an eye out for chatty Common Yellowthroats and Marsh Wrens, and maybe even a secretive rail. Then, we’ll cross the scrubby hills of Lizard Rock Trail, where White-tailed Kites are not uncommon, on our way to Bayview Trail. The trail is only a few yards away from the salt marsh evaporation ponds–the perfect place to search for flocks of migrating shorebirds. Some luck and a bit of scoping may even yield rarer species such as Snowy Plovers.

Shorebird ID can be both challenging and rewarding. This walk is especially good for intermediate birders looking to gain more experience with this tricky taxon, but as always, all skill levels are welcome!

Scopes are useful here. Carpooling is encouraged.

The trail is mostly unpaved and there is only one restroom at the trailhead. At this time of year it can be cool and windy, or hot by mid-day. Please bring plenty of water, sunscreen, an extra layer (it can be cold and windy), a snack, and any other equipment you need for hiking.

Trip leader: Elisa Fernandes-McDade ()
Hike Rating: 2 – Some hills; more than 1 mile of walking
Meeting Point: The parking lot at 8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont, CA 9455. At the picnic benches in front of the Coyote Hills Visitor Center.
GPS: 37.55357607169418, -122.09052546393971

Directions: (From Walnut Creek and north) Head south on I-680 South. Take Exit 46A onto CA-24 West. Stay in the left three lanes to stay on CA-24 West for 11 miles. Then, continue onto I-980 West for 2 miles. Next, merge onto I-880 South and continue straight for 20 miles. Take Exit 22 for Alvarado Blvd toward Fremont Blvd North and continue onto Deep Creek Rd. After 1 mile, turn right onto Paseo Padre Pkwy and continue straight for 1.2 miles. Then, turn right onto Patterson Ranch Rd and continue straight for 1.5 miles. Make a U-turn at the end of Patterson Ranch Rd to park in the visitor center parking lot.

OR

(From Walnut Creek and south) Head south on I-680 for about 45 miles. Then, take Exit 14 for Auto Mall Pkwy toward Durham Rd, and take a left onto Auto Mall Pkwy. Then, use the right lane to merge onto I-880 North toward Oakland. Continue for 5 miles. Then, take Exit 21 for Decoto Rd/CA-84 West toward Dumbarton Bridge and use the middle lane to turn left onto Decoto Rd/CA-84 West. Continue for 1 mile. Then, take Exit 37 for Ardenwood Blvd toward Newark Blvd. Continue on Ardenwood Blvd for 0.3 miles, then take a left onto Patterson Ranch Rd. Continue on Patterson Ranch Rd for 2 miles. Make a U-turn at the end of Patterson Ranch Rd to park in the visitor center parking lot.

If the Visitor Center parking lot is full, there is parking at the Bay Trail parking lot located on Patterson Ranch Rd 0.5 miles before the visitor center.

Sign up HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-coyote-hills-tickets-1598160393759

(Photo of White-tailed Kite by Alex Cho)