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Description
Meeker Slough is a favorite spot for local birders, due to its high quality creek estuary and salt marsh habitat, in an urban environment. Intersected by several jogging trails, this area is also popular with runners, dog walkers and bikers. There's a small grassy area where geese often graze early in the mornings, and an off trail path along a sandy breakwater spit. The trees along the path often host Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Bushtits, Hermit Thrush and others, in season. The marsh areas along the main path are good for Ridgway's Rail and Sora and on the higher ground look for flocks of White-crowned Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrows, California Towhees with an occasional White-throated Sparrow or Lincoln's Sparrow in the right season.
Along the sandy spit, Savannah Sparrows, Buff-bellied Pipits and Western Meadowlarks are common in season. In the salt marsh, Wilson's Snipe can often be seen, and the marshy islands are popular roosts for large shorebird flocks, including Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin , Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Willet and sometimes Red Knot. Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Double-crested Cormorant, and a variety of gull species can be seen flying by. The rocky breakwater at the end of the sandy spit often hosts Black Turnstone and roosting gulls and shorebirds, while the open bay water often contains flocks of Greater Scaup, and Lesser Scaup, plus Surf Scoter, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Common Goldeneye, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Red-throated Diver and Red-breasted Merganser in the right season.
The nearby Richmond Marina has during many Winters (as of January, 2024) hosted male Black Scoters, a rarity for the area - often seen swimming in the open water around the docks. Meeker Slough itself has produced many rarities including Nelson's Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Tropical Kingbird, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Baird's Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper.
Details
Access
Parking is available at the parking circle in the neighboring residential housing development. Click on the P in the map for directions or coordinates. Or at nearby Shimada Friendship Park.
IMPORTANT: as with all birding locations in the bay area, don't leave valuables in your car. Avoid leaving rucksacks/backpacks, purses or other bags in view through the car window. Keep expensive cameras inside a backpack until you're away from the parking area.