Today I began a new Golden Gate Audubon Class. It is taught by Eddie Bartley. We met at the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory near Rodeo Lagoon at Marin Headlands. Before class in the lagoon I saw Common Goldeneye, Mallard, Snow Egret, American Wigeon, Bufflehead and Ruddy Duck.
After a presentation on raptors we had a very successful birding trip to Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds. Highlights of the class included eight raptors one of which was a distant Merlin, a good view of an American Bittern, and a total of 48 bird species. To see today’s bird list go to: Birding Las Gallinas 1/25/14
Natural History Wanderings 
Hi Sandy, Isn’t there a group that’s specifically tracking Oystercatchers? I thought I saw this as one of your posts awhile back, but now I can’t find the link. Thanks for all your hard work on this blog! Kathi
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By: Kathi on January 26, 2014
at 8:12 PM
I hadn’t mentioned it but you are right there is a group: The American Oystercatcher Working Group
that according to its website “seeks to develop, support, and implement rangewide research and management efforts that promote the conservation of American Oystercatchers and their habitats through individual and partnership-based initiatives guided by recommendations of the Working Group’s membership”
The Oystercatcher that we have in California is a different one. It is the Black Oystercatcher.
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By: Sandy Steinman on January 26, 2014
at 11:53 PM
I am an avid birder, these lovable sewage ponds are one of my favorite places in Marin. Thanks for the bird report.
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By: Jet Eliot on January 26, 2014
at 8:15 AM