Sunday Birding at the Sewage Ponds (Las Gallinas)

The Las Gallinas Sanitary District maintains a complex of water treatment ponds that are a magnet for migratory waterfowl. Dozens of waterfowl species can be seen here in the winter. The presence in close proximity of similar species such as Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, Horned Grebes and Eared Grebes, and Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets make it a great opportunity to sharpen one's ID skills. If we're very lucky, we may even get to see more uncommon species like Eurasian Wigeon or Least Bittern.

This is a good outing for beginner birders to see a diverse mix of northern California winter waterfowl. If you have a scope, do bring it, as they're helpful here.

There is one portable bathroom at the trailhead, no drinking water, and it's colder at the reservoir than it usually is inland. Please plan accordingly.

Hike Rating: 1 - Easy. Mostly level paths, up to 1 mile walking

Leader: Elisa Fernandes-McDade, [email protected]

Meet: Las Gallinas Reservoir Birding Loop on Smith Ranch Rd., San Rafael, CA.

GPS: 38.025632105791466, -122.51775182773106

Directions: Take I-580 West toward San Rafael. Go over the San Rafael Bridge. Then, merge onto US-101 North. Stay on the 101 for 4.5 miles, then take Exit 456 onto Smith Ranch Rd. Stay on Smith Ranch Rd. for 1.5 miles until you reach a small parking lot on your left before the small reservoir building. There is a portable restroom and a bridge leading to the trailhead there.

[image of Canada Goose by Linda Kwong]

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