Birding at Heron’s Head Park

Open to anyone who would like to take a walk with fellow Rubies and look at nature, especially birds. We live in a special place, the Bay Area is an oasis for wintering and migrating shorebirds and we hope to still see many of them here in April! I got into birding over Quarantine as a way to get out of the house and outside of my head, get some fresh air and movement, and connect with local life - both birds and other birders. I'm not an expert, but I've learned a lot in the last few years and I am happy to share what I know and explore this beautiful park together and see who we can see!

Heron’s Head park is located 2.5 miles southwest of The Ruby. This park is a good place to get long, clear looks at birds because of the relative openness of the park and the surrounding marshy restored shorelands. It is also a nice park to know about, especially because of its quick and easy access to birding for almost anyone. There is a flat, wide crushed-gravel trail (no stairs, infrequent benches) which we will walk very slowly for a total distance of 1.5 miles. There is an educational eco-center and several picnic tables at the park entrance which anyone can return back to at any time if they don't want to continue walking.

Target birds include: White Crowned Sparrows, Anna's Hummingbirds, Western Meadowlarks, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers, American Avocets, Sanderlings and Least Sandpipers, and Buffleheads. If we’re lucky, some possibilities also include: Long-billed Curlews, Horned and Eared Grebes, Clark's Grebes, Black Oystercatchers, Common Yellowthroat and many many more! Also, you don't need to know or learn the names of the birds to enjoy them :)

Please bring:

• Shoes that are good for walking

• Layers and a hat: be ready for warm sun or chilly winds

• Binoculars if you have them, we will hopefully have some loaners available too (if you have some to share, definitely bring those too!)

Any bird guides if you have them

Recommended: Download the Merlin App and get the California bird packs downloaded (free, in app) before you arrive. This is a great, user-friendly app for fledgling birders to start identifying birds around them! I will show you how to use it or you can play with it ahead of time.

Description of Heron’s Head Park from SF Parks Alliance:

Named for its shape when viewed from the air, Heron's Head Park provides a wonderfully remote urban hiking experience. Begin in the parking area at the end of Cargo Way in the Hunters Point neighborhood. Follow the gravel pathway to the eastern side along the edge of an emerging shorebird habitat. This hike provides a firsthand view of a wetland restoration project being orchestrated by non-profit group, Literacy for Environmental Justice and their team of youth park stewards. Interpretive signs tell the story of the flora and fauna that have reclaimed the area.

We’ll have an optional picnic lunch at the park at noon as well!