Birding Shadow Cliffs

A field trip with the Mount Diablo Bird Alliance.

Every year, herons and cormorants nest in the tall trees in the riparian area of the park. We'll take a look at the rookeries, hopefully even catching views of chicks within the nests. The park also hosts multiple Wood Duck nest boxes; we may be lucky enough to spot ducklings and other waterfowl young, too.

Shadow Cliffs, being located in Pleasanton, can get hot this time of year! Please dress appropriately (broad-brimmed hat recommended), bring sunscreen, and lots of water. There is one bathroom near the trailhead.

Please factor in the potential for traffic when planning your departure.

FEE = there is a $5 parking fee at the park. Carpooling is encouraging.

Trail Rating: 2 - One hill to get onto the levee trail and just over a mile of walking with few places to sit.

Leader: Elisa Fernandes-McDade (elisa.fernandesmcdade@gmail.com)

Meeting Point: We will meet at the small shade structure near Levee Trail trailhead and next to the shaded/solar panel parking lot (GPS: 37.9277763, -122.0644239). Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, 2500 Stanley Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94566 USA

Directions: From Walnut Creek, take I-680 South. In Dublin, take Exit 30 to merge onto I-580 East toward Stockton. Stay on the I-580 for about 3 miles, then take Exit 47 for Santa Rita Rd toward Tassajara Rd. After about 1.5 miles, take a left onto Valley Ave. After about 1 mile, take another left onto Stanley Blvd. Continue for 1 mile, then turn right into the Shadow Cliffs entrance. There will be a large, brown sign with white lettering. After paying at the entry kiosk and going through the roundabout, turn right into the parking lot with solar panels near the base of the hills.

[Photo of Great Blue Heron by Warren Regelmann]