Bay Nature Hike: Las Gallinas Valley Birding Walk

* Update: this event is now sold out *

Join Bay Nature and Point Blue for a birding hike along part of the Las Gallinas Valley birding loop on Friday, September 13, 5pm–7pm. This roughly one-mile out-and-back route will take us through restored and to-be-restored tidal marsh, home to dozens of  bird species including shorebirds, waterfowl, and marsh birds like the Ridgway’s Rail and the elusive Black Rail. Point Blue experts Julian Wood, Megan Elrod, and Lishka Arata will guide the group as we look for birds and learn about the marshland nearby. Free for Bay Nature members, $5 for non-members. Registration is limited.

Meet your hike leaders:

Julian Wood is Point Blue’s San Francisco Bay Program Leader who works to promote conservation actions that address climate change and land-use change in ways that benefit human and wetland bird communities throughout the Bay Area. 

Megan Elrod is a biologist in the San Francisco Bay who spends most of her time out in tidal marshes monitoring bird response to restoration in the Estuary and keeping tabs on the federally endangered California Ridgway’s Rail.

Lishka Arata is Point Blue’s communications manager who supports, facilitates, and leads science communications at Point Blue to engage more people in conservation action.

Lia Keener is Bay Nature's event coordinator and previous outreach fellow. She loves hiking and doing nature-inspired art.

Hike location: parking lot at the Las Gallinas Valley birding loop (Smith Ranch Rd, San Rafael, CA 94903, google maps link to address)

Hike length: under two miles

Hike difficulty: easy, flat gravel

Parking: Parking is limited. People should either carpool or park along Smith Ranch Road.

Elevation change/Uneven terrain: easy

Access to restrooms and water: porta-potty, no water

Other notes: Bring water, binoculars, spotting scopes, snacks. Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are recommended. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entirety of the hike. Dogs are not allowed on Bay Nature hikes.

Free for Bay Nature members, $5 for non-members. Registration is limited.

Photo by © Jonathan Eisen, some rights reserved (CC-BY) via iNaturalist