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Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail

Bird Walk is a mile-long loop trail through a revitalized 14-acre saltwater marsh at the mouth of Cheney Creek, where it empties into Bodega Harbor. This is one of Sonoma County’s prime spots for birdwatching; here and in the neighboring dune ponds, mudflats, freshwater marshes, and grasslands, you may see snowy egrets, northern harriers, northern pintails, and marbled...
Bird Walk is a mile-long loop trail through a revitalized 14-acre saltwater marsh at the mouth of Cheney Creek, where it empties into Bodega Harbor. This is one of Sonoma County’s prime spots for birdwatching; here and in the neighboring dune ponds, mudflats, freshwater marshes, and grasslands, you may see snowy egrets, northern harriers, northern pintails, and marbled godwits, to name just a few. The trail runs atop a levee circling two dredge disposal ponds that were built in 1980 to hold silt from the dredging of Bodega Bay. The vegetation along the levee has been restored to improve bird and wildlife habitat. Bird Walk connects to Doran Marsh Trail in Doran Beach Regional Park for an additional .8-mile hike.

Trail/Pathway Details

Bird Walk

Trailhead: Parking lot off Highway One

Length: 1-2 total miles

Typical Width: 4 ft. & above

Typical Grade: Level

There are two gentle slopes: one from the parking lot to the trailhead and the other from the trail to Cheney Creek bridge.

Terrain: Firm

Description

On a summer day mid-week, we mostly had this trail to ourselves. The coast was blanketed in a thick fog that muted the colors of the marsh and enhanced the colors of the birds, making them easier to spot. The brilliant white of the snowy egrets announced their presence amidst the orange pickleweed, and through an opening in...
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Accessibility Details

The facilities listed below meet all of our access criteria unless otherwise noted.

Off Highway One At parking lot
Next to the parking lot on a grassy area; can hear traffic from nearby Highway One.
Doran Marsh
Doran Marsh (Morning Shu)

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  • hiking

Additional Information

View Map  
Website: www.Sonoma-county.org/parks
Managing Agency: Sonoma County Regional Parks
Address: 355 Highway One, Bodega Bay
Nearest City: Bodega Bay
Phone: (707) 565-2041
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Fees: None
Dogs: On leash
Leash must be no longer than 6 feet
Reviewed by Bonnie Lewkowicz, June 2, 2010
Access Norhtern California This web guide is a project of Access Northern California.  
California Coastal Conservancy Thanks to our partner the California Coastal Conservancy

DISCLAIMER: Although the information contained in this web-guide was believed to be correct at the time of publication, neither Access Northern California nor California Coastal Conservancy shall be held responsible or liable for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions, nor for information that changes or becomes outdated. Neither Access Northern California nor California Coastal Conservancy assume any liability for any injury or damage arising out of, or in connection with, any use of this guide or the sites described in it.

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