My Birding World

When one hears “wastewater treatment plant,” birding may not be one of the first activities that comes to mind. In fact, these offer a rich birding experience as a variety of birds take advantage of the ponds and plant life. You can find sandpipers, ducks, sparrows, warblers, even birds of prey. While I’m sure some sanitation plants may test the limits of stench, I’ve quite enjoyed a couple with no odors detected thus far.

This brings me to Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District located in Marin County. Admittedly I’ve only been here twice, but each time I left with a solid list of birds. Comprised of four ponds with fields all around, it offers a sanctuary for birds of all types. My favorite are the mute swans, which I didn’t know existed in California let alone in the North Bay. Since then I’ve learned that they are occasionally around the East Bay.

The paths around the ponds are pleasant with locals walking their dogs or jogging by while birders scan the area with binoculars glued to their faces. Ponds attract water fowl, blackberry bramble and fennel attract warblers and sparrows, and the trees collect woodpeckers and owls. The fields will produce white-tailed kites, hawks, turkey vultures, and more.

If you go, be sure to wear sun protection as there’s not a lot of shade and it can get warm during the summer.

Check out the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District eBird hotspot list.