Young Birders: Palo Alto Baylands

Before signing up for this trip, please take a moment to read our trip policies and view our liability waiver.

Young Birders: Palo Alto Baylands

Join us for an evening walk along the saltmarsh and pickleweed of the Palo Alto Baylands! We’ll explore the Marsh Front Trail, Duck Pond, Harriet Mundy Marsh, and the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center. As we stroll by the sloughs, we’ll look for resident birds such as the American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and Killdeer, and returning migrants, including Least and Western Sandpipers, Marbled Godwits, Short- and Long-billed Dowitchers, and Greater Yellowlegs. We’ll look to the sky for flying Forster’s Terns, Cliff and Barn Swallows, Northern Harriers, and Turkey Vultures. 

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

Trip Difficulty: 2 miles. Easy, flat, wide, dirt-packed trails. Some trails have crushed oyster and decomposed granite tread. Some shade, some benches. The Lucy Evans Interpretive Center has a short gravel ramp. 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. There are handle bars/railing leading up to and along the deck.

Leader: Allison Cheng, co-leads Carolyn Knight (408) 252-3740 and Matthew Dodder

Beginner Friendly, Loaner Binoculars Available, Family Friendly All Ages, Wheelchair Accessible

Meet: On path in front of the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center. Latitude/Longitude: 37.459521, -122.106344

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

Facilities: Working public water fountains, portable restroom, cell phone service area.

Parking Type and Fees: Paved parking lot, no fees. 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. Park Hours: 8 am to sunset

Banner Photo: Barn Swallow by Michelle Nelson

Questions? Email general questions to programs@scvas.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.