Albany Mudflats, McLaughlin Shoreline State Park Albany access, Albany Bulb

Leader: Fred Werner, 510-610-1256 (cell); sustainablefred@gmail.com

Date: Sunday September 21 – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Description: Migration is in full swing by now here on the SF Bay Flyway! Returning birders, total newbies, and everyone in between is invited to come check out the spectacle along the Albany shoreline! For a sense of how this walk goes, check out this write-up from a previous year:

https://goldengateaudubon.org/blog-posts/albany-mudflats-mclaughlin-eastshore-state-park-albany-bulb/

We'll meet ~ 2 hours after a 5.5' high tide (as the tide drops below ~4.5', roughly the point where the mudflats begin to be exposed) for excellent views of an abundance of shorebirds, ducks and other denizens of the newly exposed mudflats, perhaps with some intriguing migrants.  Then, an easy, mostly flat 1-mile loop on gravel/dirt paths around the McLaughlin Shoreline Park uplands area.  We’ll pick up a few landbirds, and we'll scan the open water in the hopes of finding diving ducks, pelicans, grebes, with the potential for ospreys, kingfishers and more. Easy to leave anytime if you need to leave early.

Check out the birds reported here in previous Septembers mudflats: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L484238/bird-list?m=9

uplands (McLaughlin park): https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2377313/bird-list?m=9

Trip Size: Limit 25 participants max

Directions: From I-80, go west on Buchanan towards Golden Gate Fields.   Park within the first 75 yards, just past the "Albany Waterfront Trail" sign and look for us at the first observation platform right there.  
Parking is free (keep valuables out of sight) but very limited, and a 2-hr limit is enforced.   There is also free street parking in the neighborhood on the other side of the freeway underpass.  Head east ~1/3 mile on Buchanan and make a left onto Pierce St.

So carpool if you can, or scoot or bike, or ride share from either the El Cerrito Plaza or Ashby BART stations. 
There is a handicap-accessible latrine bathroom at the end of Buchanan (near the beach)
Fog or shine.  Bring binoculars, camera and a spotting scope if you have them, but no equipment or experience necessary.  Email Fred if you want to borrow binoculars or have any questions.  

Use this googlemaps point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qa2oeYNKTtiVaMsW7
 

This event will open at 1 pm on Tuesday, August 19 and close at 11 pm on Thursday September 18.