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Young Birders Club: Charleston Slough Gull Colony and Google Egret Rookery

  • Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve Trailhead 2690 Terminal Boulevard Palo Alto, CA, 94303 United States (map)

Join the Young Birders Club for a breeding bird bonanza all over Mountain View! Starting at Charleston Slough, we will walk the Adobe Creek Loop Trail to explore the noisy California Gull colony. According to a 2023 count, this colony had almost 9000 nests, which is more than a third of the total in the entire South Bay! After observing the fuzzy gray chicks and fledglings, we will drive to the egret and heron rookery at the Mountain View Google Campus to listen to the cacophony of Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Black-crowned Night-Herons, observe parents raising their young, and watch the breeding cycle unfold before our eyes.

This trip is designed for young birders, though parents and siblings are welcome to attend! We welcome birders of all skill levels. Loaner binoculars are available for participants.

Leader: Diane McCoy (650) 714-3769

Meet: Trailhead with restrooms near corner of Terminal Blvd and San Antonio Rd

Trip Difficulty: About a 3 mile round trip. Paved from the trailhead to the intersection of Bay Trail and Adobe Creek Loop Trail.

Directions: From US-101 in Mountain View, exit San Antonio Rd. Continue north to the end of San Antonio Rd then turn right onto Terminal Blvd. Park along Terminal Blvd.

Latitude/Longitude: 37.433605, -122.099551

Parking: Parking is free along Terminal Boulevard.