Anywhere by the Bay is a great spot for birdwatching. We walked the other day at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale. While we were pondering about which turn to make, a biker stopped and asked if we were looking for the birds? We weren’t, but our sense of adventure told us that we should follow his advice and turn right. “There are tons of birds!”, he said.
He was right. Once we crossed the levee a swarm of birds started their tree hopping, hoping we would not catch up with them. In the water were ducks and seagulls, and I believe a pair of egrets. I am not an avid birdwatcher, but it is fun nonetheless to see so many different kinds.
My favorite birds were black on top and white on the bottom with bright orange feet. If someone knows what they are, please let me know in the comment section below!
Usually volunteers from the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society offer free one-hour birding tours each first Wednesday at Baylands. Due to COVID-19 restrictions SCVAS has put together self-guided and virtual field trips. There is a great YouTube video from Mike Ambrose showing the winter birds of Baylands Park.
In the summer month an increased algae bloom can make the Baylands Park a bit smelly. The ponds are part of a solar salt farm. As the algae dies off, it produces hydrogen sulfide, H2S, which has a characteristic odor of rotten eggs.
I did enjoy the weeds on our path covered in little feathers. A spontaneous art installation!
Where do you go bird watching?
If you want to explore more in Sunnyvale you might enjoy my article about 50 things to do in Sunnyvale.
I really got into birdwatching since we moved to WA. It’s meditative and slow-paced and always surprisingly joyful. I recommend checking out the Merlin app to help with bird identification, it was a game-changer for me.
Winter time birdwatching is just as interesting, as we have a lot of waterfowl migrating down from Canada and hanging out at our shores. Maybe it’s the same there!
Pingback: Hope there is Strength in Numbers of the Swallows of Baylands Park | until suburbia!