Palo Alto Baylands (Spring/Summer):
Swallow Central and Pond Loop Trail
by Diane McCoy
Just as the Ohlone people greeted the sun each morning at dawn for hundreds of years, so the swallows begin their daily swooping flights over the ponds, creeks, sloughs, and marshes of the Palo Alto Baylands. Though late spring and summer is thought of as a "quieter" time for birds, at the Palo Alto Baylands there continues to be a variety of avian species that are fascinating, interesting and entertaining to observe and enjoy.
Trip Covers: May – August
Key Birds: Ridgway’s Rail, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow
How To Bird
Birding at the Palo Alto Baylands is easy and convenient. Saltwater, brackish water, and freshwater, along with a diversity of trees, bushes, and native plants provide habitat for an abundance of sightings and behaviors by no less than 50+ bird species including shorebirds, waders, passerines, raptors, ducks, geese, not to mention gulls.
There are over 15 miles of trails with plenty of benches, a minimum of two Port-a-potties, the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center, the Palo Alto Duck Pond, the Environmental Volunteers’ EcoCenter (formerly the Sea Scout Building), and a sailing station.
This trip covers the Interpretive Center, including the boardwalk and “Rail Alley,” Harriet Mundy Marsh, the Marsh Front Trail up to the EcoCenter, the duck pond, and the Duck Pond Loop Trail. It is wheelchair accessible with plenty of room for social distancing.
Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center and boardwalk.
Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center and the Boardwalk Trail: After arriving in the area, park in the lot across the street from the trail to the Interpretive Center (IC). As you walk to the IC, the Harriet Mundy Marsh will be on your right and the lagoon will be on your left. Proceed to the front area of the IC. Facing the IC’s front doors, quick, darting movements will catch your eye. These amazing aerial acrobats are the Cliff and Barn Swallows, yearly migratory birds that return from South America to the baylands each spring.
Cliff and Barn Swallows are similar in their size and coloring, both having dark backs, wings, and crowns. See the side-by-side photos below for their distinctive differences.
Cliff Swallows have a white forehead, buff rump, light belly, a chestnut colored face, and a short, squared off tail. Juveniles may have white spots. Photo by Luis Villablanca
Barn Swallows have distinctively long, slender forked tails. They are reddish-brown in color on their forehead and throat. Females are slightly smaller with shorter tails and juveniles have shorter tails still. Carter Gasiorowski
As you walk around the side and back of the IC, look up and see the many mud Cliff Swallow nests, with the birds darting in and out. They can fly up to 15.6 mph.
Both Barn and Cliff Swallows construct nests of mud, plentiful from the creeks, mudflats, and sloughs in the baylands, mixed with their saliva, and formed into pellets. Both male and female swallows build the nest, applying as many as 900-1200 bits of mud for one nest! Inside, the gourd-shaped nest is lined with grasses and feathers. The Cliff Swallows prefer the upper eaves of the building for nesting while the Barn Swallows are under the building.
Observe how the nests are joined together in the eaves of the Interpretive Center; like adjoining apartments. Cliff Swallows nest in colonies. Living in a group is safer for the swallows. The birds work together to protect themselves against predators, like falcons.
Cliff Swallow Nestlings: The nestlings’ bright yellow-rimmed mouths provide the parent a quick, accurate look at where to direct the food for the nestling’s gape. Parents share the feeding, as the nestlings must be fed every 20 minutes, 12 hours a day everyday!
Up to 6 eggs are usually laid in May. After 14 days the eggs will hatch. The nestlings have closed eyes and only a few tufts of feathers on their head, shoulders and back. Because of the warmth created in the nest by the grasses and feathers, the nestlings only need some warm insulation on their upper bodies when the parents are off getting food.
In 18 to 23 days the chicks have grown into strong, well-developed fledglings. They are ready to fly and perch nearby. Because the nests are often located so high from the ground, being able to fly right away is a necessity. Often the fledglings will group together in a crèche. Each parent identifies its own fledgling by voice and sight. The parents will continue to feed the fledglings for 2 to 5 more days so being able to fly and get their own food is a must. Swallows may raise two or more broods in one season.
Take a moment to enjoy watching these birds. Observe the swallows flying above the pond to the left of the IC and the slough in front. Can you spot both species of swallows? Challenging, isn’t it? Noting the shape of the tail might help. Stand very still and you will be able to observe the nestlings getting fed.
The IC provides informative plaques about the swallows, around the left side of the building; in English and Spanish. There are also plaques about the special plants such as pickleweed, the tides, and other animals that inhabit this area. Diane McCoy
Proceed to the back of the IC to the renovated boardwalk (completed 2017; longer and ‘higher’). As you walk along the boardwalk keep an eye out for raptors, both in the air and perched on the electrical towers. Possibilities include Red-tailed Hawks, White-tailed Kites, Turkey Vultures, and Peregrine Falcons, possibly even a Bald Eagle. Lower, flying directly over the marsh, Northern Harriers scan the pickleweed for prey.
Northern Harrier showing its distinctive white patch on the rump is in all plumages. Diane McCoy
Looking to your left you may spot Great and Snowy Egrets, and Great Blue Herons, while being serenaded by Song Sparrows.
About two-thirds of the way down the boardwalk is ‘Rail Alley,’ a channel through the pickleweed. When the tide is out, spend some time waiting for the Ridgway’s Rail to quietly appear along the edges of the pickleweed. You may spot its footprints in the mud.
More often walking than flying, the Ridgway’s Rail probes in muddy wetlands for invertebrate prey. They also prey upon the endangered Saltwater Harvest Mouse, who inhabits and eats the pickleweed. The Ridgway’s Rail has a special gland so it can drink salty seawater. The young chicks are carried on the adult’s back during high tides. Rails actually swim well. Diane McCoy
Next, head to the end of the boardwalk and enjoy the expansive views of the bay if the tide is high or the mudflats at the edge of the bay if the tide is low.
Harriet Mundy Marsh: After finishing the area around the IC, head back toward your car. The Harriet Mundy Marsh will be on your left. Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets nest here in spring and summer months. Greater Yellowlegs, Great and Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Heron, and Killdeer frequent here. In the distance note how Common Ravens may use electrical towers for nests.
Black-necked Stilts nest on the ground, building nesting surfaces above water. Their nests are often among pickleweed vegetation adjacent to the water. Diane McCoy
Greater Yellowlegs is a large sandpiper. When courting the male will dance around the female, ‘singing’ a ‘song.’ Photo by Diane McCoy
Marsh Front Trail and EcoCenter: As you cross the street bridge over the lagoon, spend a few minutes looking up and down the lagoon. Western and occasionally Clark’s Grebes can be seen here as well as Least Sandpipers, lingering winter migratory ducks, and year round Mallards and Ruddy Ducks.
Western Grebe. Note black plumage over the eye. The less common Clark’s Grebe usually has white-arc plumage above the eye. Photo by Brooke Miller
As you proceed up the Marsh Front Trail on the left side of the road towards the EcoCenter (boathouse) building look for Forster’s Terns and during low tides, across the slough, look for Virginia and Ridgway’s Rail and Sora. Common Yellowthroat, Marsh Wrens, Black Phoebes, and Song Sparrows flitter among the coyote brush, gum plant and other bushes on the trailside of the slough. When you are across from the Ranger Station stop and search through the River Red Gum, Australian Tea, Sydney Golden Wattle and Flooded Gum (euycalyptus) trees. In spring and staying through the summer Bullock’s Orioles, and Mourning and Eurasian Collared-Doves may be spotted here. Anna’s Hummingbirds, year-round residences, can be seen all over the Palo Alto Baylands, but especially enjoy the native plants around the ranger station garden. Look for more Barn and Cliff Swallows at the EcoCenter building.
Forster’s Tern hovers over the water, dive-dropping down to snatch fish; most often small, silvery Smelt at the PABL. Photo by Diane McCoy
The Common Yellowthroat, a small warbler, sings “Witchity-witchity-witchity” in spring and summer. Photo by Diane McCoy
From the EcoCenter deck enjoy a view of Byxbee Park, Shoreline Park, and in the far distance, the Hamilton Range.
Purchased in 2004, this historically registered building is home to the Environmental Volunteers, a non-profit providing science learning to students and communities up and down the peninsula. Designed by Birge Clark in 1941, the building (“Streamline Moderne” design) was originally home to the Sea Scouts until the mid-1980’s when Palo Alto closed the Yacht Harbor and restored the area back to tidal marsh.
Duck Pond Loop: Across the street from the EcoCenter is the Palo Alto Duck Pond. The loop is a 0.7 miles trail that circles the pond. During the summer a few American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants might visit the pond. Pied-billed Grebes nest in the area and you may see their young here and it’s a good place to spot Snowy Egrets and Black-crowned Night-Herons.
Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe. Diane McCoy
Black-crowned Night-Heron. Diane McCoy
Circle around the pond and explore the mudflats of the lagoon. At mid-tide the stilts and American Avocets can be spotted, feeding in the mud (tide chart).
American Avocets sweep their slightly curved up beaks for food, as opposed to poking straight down, in mud and water. Diane McCoy
During early spring ‘peachy’ breeding plumage emerges on both males and females. Diane McCoy
Long-billed Curlews, Willets, American Coots, Black-necked Stilts, and Killdeer may be spotted as well.
After walking the loop, rest a bit back at the front of the duck pond and enjoy viewing the Rock Pigeons and variety of gulls. Ring-billed Gulls and California Gulls are often present here.
Ring-billed Gull, one of the smallest of the white-headed gulls, has a shorter bill. Notice the gold-colored eye, bill and legs.
Ready for More? The duck pond is a great place to look for wintering gulls and ducks starting in November and the views from the sailing station (see Palo Alto Baylands Trail Map) are nice anytime of year. San Francisquito Creek Trail, which runs in front of the IC and alongside the Palo Alto Airport, is the perfect place to see wintering ducks. Or visit Emily Renzel Wetlands, also within the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve.
Interactive Map
Directions: From US-101 in Palo Alto take Embarcadero Rd east towards the bay. Pass the airport and turn left at the T-intersection. Continue for 0.5 miles passing the duck pond. Just over the bridge, the interpretive center (2775 Embarcadero Rd) will be on your left and the paved parking area will be on your right. Latitude/Longitude: 37.458949, -122.105212
Parking: Paved parking
Fees: None
Park Hours: 8 am to sunset
Facilities: One ADA-compliant porta-potty with two ADA parking spots near the sailing dock, one porta-potty at the duck pond. Nearby Byxbee Park has an ADA-accessible bathroom but only one accessible parking spot which fills up early.
Trail Conditions and Mileage:
Boardwalk Trail: 0.2 miles: wood boardwalk with several benches for resting; ramp up to boardwalk; full sun
Marsh Front Trail from IC to EcoCenter: 0.2 miles; easy, flat, wide, dirt trail, some shade, benches
Duck Pond Loop Trail: 0.7 miles; easy flat terrain; crushed oyster shell and decomposed granite trail tread; no obstacles; full sun. Two picnic tables; one mid-way, one closer to Ranger Station plant nursery (shaded).
Accessibility: There’s a short gravel ramp in front of the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center. Its slope is 5.7%. There is a wheelchair accessible wooden ramp/path on both sides of the EcoCenter building, leading up to the deck. Handlebars line the ramps and the deck. There is an alternative flat, wide, dirt trail around the street side of the building.
Bikes: Allowed, except on the boardwalk and should be walked on EcoCenter ramp and deck.
Dogs: Allowed on 6-ft leash
More Information
eBird Hotspot: Palo Alto Baylands and Palo Alto Baylands - Duck Pond
All About Birds: Cliff Swallow and Barn Swallow
More Resources
For more trips like this one, visit Self-Guided Field Trips.
Visit the SCVAS Birding Resources page for more information on where to bird, our birding community, bird identification resources and more.
Read “What to Look for Now” by SCVAS Executive Director Matthew Dodder.
Banner Photo Credit: Cliff Swallow by Luis Villablanca
Last Updated: 3/23/2022
Enjoyed this Trip?
Support the work of Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and become a member. To contact the trip writer with comments, questions or location updates, please email fieldtrips@scvas.org. You can also post in the comment section below. (If you’d like to post anonymously, type your comment, select “Post Comment”, then simply provide a name, like “Guest”, and select “Comment as Guest”.)