Birding the Albany/Berkeley Shoreline

Our target birds will be shorebirds and possibly early-arriving loons, grebes, and bay ducks.

The first stop will be to look for shorebirds on the mudflats at the Albany State Marine Reserve, off Buchanan Street. Meet the leader here at 10:00 AM. If you have a spotting scope, bring it. The leader will bring 2 scopes to share.

Directions: Take SR 24 to I-580 west. Take Buchanan St. exit (#13A), turn left on Buchanan St., go under freeway, and after 1/2 block, parallel park on the right, opposite the mudflat.

GPS for meeting point: 37.88949774217445, -122.3114975067703

After 1+ hours of scanning for shorebirds, the second stop will be the Berkeley Meadows opposite the Berkeley Marina (aka McLaughlin EastshoreState Park).

From the first meeting point on Buchanan Street, make a U-turn on Buchanan to head back to the freeway. Turn right onto the I-80 W/I-580 E ramp to Oakland/SF. At the 2nd exit (#11), take the University exit toward the Berkeley Marina. Turn left onto University Ave. At the traffic circle, turn right (1st exit)onto Marina Blvd. In 0.2 miles, park in the dirt lot on the right of the road.

After walking around Berkeley Meadows we'll have an optional 3rd stop, for birding and lunch at the Seabreeze Market at the corner of University Avenue and W Frontage Road. For this optional stop, park behind Seabreeze Market.

It may be cold and windy, dress in layers. Bring $ for optional lunch.

Trip leader: Ted Robertson, 925-899-1872

Hike Rating: Category 1, Easy. Less than 1 mile walking on level trails.

Also check out other Meetups in Albany, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Albany.