September 13, 2023
Las Gallinas (38.0274° N, 122.5671° W, 917 ft)
https://ebird.org/checklist/S149980120
Site Description:
The Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop is located in Marin County, California, in San Rafael. It is located near San Pablo Bay. The ground is mainly level with small elevations. There are many trails and pathways around the area. Wetlands such as ponds, marshes, mudflats, grasslands, riparian areas with willows and other flora, and some suburban/urban areas make to the overall ecosystem. Las Gallinas is well-known for its abundant birdlife. Some birds that you can there include shorebirds (Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet), waterfowl (Northern Pintail, Mallard, Northern Shoveler), raptors (Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, White-tailed Kite) and many more!
Species account:
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
The Black-necked Stilt is an adorable shorebird with a striking look. It has long, slender legs and a long, thin bill. It is distinguished by its stunning black and white plumage, which includes a white belly and neck, a black crown on its head, and long pink legs. Its reddish brown eyes and black pupils help to distinguish it. Shallow ponds, mudflats, salt pans, and the borders of lakes and rivers are common habitats for Black-necked Stilts. Black-necked stilts search for food in shallow water by probing the mud with their long bills. Small water invertebrates such as insects, crabs, and small fish are eaten by them. Something interesting is that they build their nests on the ground near water, and they are monogamous. I was surprised when I saw just how long its feet were. It was cool to see it fly off as it seemed to kind of struggle with its long feet while flying.
Narrative:
The Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop was beautiful and I’m glad I had the opportunity to bird watch here! It took us around 30 mins to get there, and once we did we were greeted with clear skies and warm weather. We started seeing birds the moment we arrived, which was cool and a foreshadowing of how we were going to see many birds. We stopped near a pond and got to watch multiple ducks just relax on the water, and float upside down to find food (they looked so silly!). Near the pond we spotted the Anna’s hummingbird, and it was so cool to see it do its J dive. It reminded me of a roller coaster. Another cool thing is that there were many blackberry bushes (which apparently are invasive), and me and my other classmates were picking and eating them as we walked. I think we saw a record amount of birds on this trip, which was super fun. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in nature and learn about these awesome birds. I also always enjoy our drive back as we get to share our favorite songs and sing together. Like always I look forward to our next fieldtrip!
Works Cited:
1. Sibley, D. A. (2003). The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. Alfred A. Knopf.
2. eBird. (2021)