1. Audubon Canyon Ranch near Stinson Beach
You can pretty much be guaranteed to see birds here, an unforgettable view of great blue herons and great egrets nesting in the redwood trees. The ranch is open to the public on weekends from mid-March to early July. Call 415-868-9244 for information. Nearby Bolinas Lagoon should also have shorebirds and often, thousands of waterfowl in winter.
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Directions from Hwy 101: In Mill Valley, W on Hwy 1 to Audubon Canyon Ranch located 3.8 miles past Stinson Beach on Hwy 1. Good parking at the ranch. Take the Griffin Loop trail uphill 0.5 miles to the lookout. See Hike F18.
2. Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael
The freshwater and saltwater ponds created by the Las Gallinas Sanitary District along with nearby tidal marshes has produced a birders paradise. Over 180 species of birds have been seen here, including white pelicans and the endangered clapper rail. The Audubon Society maintains a sighting list on a kiosk at the entrance to the area.
Directions from Hwy 101: In Terra Linda, R on Smith Ranch Rd to McInnis Park. L on Smith Ranch Rd to the end. There are about 3 miles of trails here. See Hike E2.
3. Hawk Hill at the Marin Headlands
The fall months, September and October are the best times to visit Hawk Hill, where up to 2000 hawks a day pass by during the fall migration. The hawks concentrate here to catch the thermal wind currents necessary to cross the Golden Gate. For a different experience, continue down Conzelman Rd. to Rodeo Lagoon and look for waterfowl.
Directions from Hwy 101: At the Golden Gate Bridge, take the Sausalito exit and follow signs for Marin Headlands and Conzelman Rd. Continue on the road up to the high point, Battery 129. Walk up to the hilltop, either through or around the tunnels. See Hike A2.
4. Rock Spring on Mt. Tamalpais
This is a mixed oak and conifer habitat, the only top 7 birding area that does not involve water. Look for nuthatch, creeper, chickadees, woodpeckers, wrens and warblers. Late September, October is the height of the autumn songbird migration.
Directions from Hwy 101: Near Sausalito, W on Hwy 1, R on Panorama Hwy to Pantoll, R on Pantoll Rd to Rock Spring. Take the Cataract trail, then the Simmons trail from the Rock Spring area. See Hike B17.
5. Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO)
Researchers at the PRBO catch and band birds daily in the coastal scrub community from April 1 to November 30. The nets are checked about every 20-30 minutes (weather dependent). The most likely times to find birds are during the breeding season in June and July. Visitors are welcome. Call 415-868-0655 for current conditions. There is also a small self-guided visitor center and nature trail nearby. Bird walks are held monthly throughout Marin. Check the PRBO home page for details.
Directions from Hwy 101: In Mill Valley, W on Hwy 1 towards Stinson Beach. Go past Bolinas Lagoon. L on Olema-Bolinas Rd (no sign, but it is the first left after the lagoon), R on Mesa Rd. for 4.3 miles to PRBO parking area. See Hike F14.
6. Richardson Bay Audubon Center in Tiburon
The Audubon Center offers classes for beginning birders in October, at the start of the fall waterfowl migration. The bay, which is a bird sanctuary, provides good viewing. There are also exhibits and a small nature store open on weekends. Call 388-2524 for more info.
Directions from Hwy 101: Near Mill Valley, E on Tiburon Blvd for 0.8 mile, R on Greenwood Cove for 0.4 miles to the Center entrance.
7. Muddy Hollow and Limantour Estero at Point Reyes
Both the estero and and the pond along Muddy Hollow house a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds in the fall and winter, including sandpipers, willets, egrets and herons.
Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Olema, R on Hwy 1 for 200 yds, L on Bear Valley Rd, L on Limantour road to the end. It's best to take the Estero trail inland, then the Muddy Hollow trail past the pond. See Hike G9.
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