Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)

At Arrowhead Marsh, we’ll listen and look for Sora, Ridgway Rails and Virginia Rails. We have a good chance to see them because of the “king tides”, which happen at new moon and full moon  in December and January, when the Earth is closest to the sun in its elliptical orbit. There is a new moon on December 4; high tides on December 3, 4, and 5 on San Leandro Bay in the late morning are all over 8.7 feet.

After looking for rails at high tide at Arrowhead Marsh, those who can stay into the early afternoon can drive to Garretson Point, to enjoy the ducks and waterbirds on the bay and in the seasonal wetland across from the parking lot if we’ve been blessed with rain. There will be shorebirds feeding on the mudflat as the tide goes out along Damon Slough.

Rain may modify the trip, but not cancel it.

To maximize birding time, we’ll drive to our second spot, Arrowhead Marsh, where we’ll listen and look for Ridgway Rails, Sora, and Virginia Rails.

This is a great place to see at least some of the birds fairly close up, and a rewarding place to bird for both beginners and experienced folks.  It’s a great place for families, as they can easily leave the trip at any time the kids (or adults) have had enough for the day.

Bring your Thanksgiving guests to see one of the big reasons to give thanks for SF Bay.

The paths for this trip are level, wide and paved, and there are curb cuts from the parking areas, according to the EBParks website.  Restrooms with flush toilets both at Arrowhead Marsh and near Garretson Point. We’ll be walking on paved, level pathways, watching out for the runners and bicyclists.

Leader: Maureen Lahiff, MLahiff@aol.com, 510.484.6529

This trip is free but advance registration is required. Registration will open two weeks before the trip and close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2.  Directions for registered participants are below.

Please note the public health guidelines for this trip, as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic:

• Walk is limited to 25 participants, plus the leaders. There will not be a waiting list.

• Participants must register online and acknowledge acceptance of our liability waiver. Each person must register separately. No “drop ins,” please.

Thank you for your flexibility in helping us ensure that everyone remains healthy! Because we have to limit the size of trips, please do not sign up unless you are committed to attending.

Directions: Meet at Arrowhead Marsh at MLK Regional Shoreline, at the end of the entrance road off Swan Way. (Come in from Hegenberger Road off I-880, head towards the Oakland Airport, right on Doolittle and then right on Swan Way.) For the second part of the trip, the parking lot at Garretson Point is reached from Edgewater Drive off Hegenberger Road. From I-880, take Hegenberger towards the Oakland Airport. Edgewater Drive has a stoplight.  It’s the first right turn if you are coming from I-880.  Take Edgewater to the end and continue to the parking lot.

Google map (Arrowhead March): https://goo.gl/maps/XK5HGBo8ATTeHPM89

Google map (Garretson Point): https://goo.gl/maps/a4tbJwSwWBjUAs1z7