Caspian Tern adults and juveniles loafing on shoreline at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Marin County Birding: Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore

“Birding the [Point Reyes National] seashore and vicinity can take a day, a week, or a lifetime.”

— Rich Stallcup and Jules Evens, Field Guide to Birds of the Northern California Coast


We couldn’t agree more, and last week, we took a day to explore Abbotts Lagoon. The short trail that runs along the lagoon – only a bit more than a mile – teemed with life and culminated in up-close views of shorebirds foraging in the brackish waters near the ocean.

Trailhead kiosk at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead

Many White-crowned Sparrows greeted us immediately, including this one we captured mid-song.

Perched adult White-crowned Sparrow male singing at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
White-crowned Sparrow

Listen below to his lovely song.

As we set out, we noticed this Northern Flicker flying back and forth between the trail and a patch of willows. Most woodpeckers use their powerful bills to drill into trees, but flickers prefer to hammer into soil looking for ants and other insects.

Northern Flicker on trail at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Northern Flicker

We now present our “Bird on Fence Post” series. Fence posts can serve a variety of functions for a bird – they can be used for…

California Quail male perched on fence post at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Standing sentry for your family (California Quail)
Downy Woodpecker juvenile male on fence post at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Clinging and pecking (Downy Woodpecker juvenile male)
White-crowned Sparrow juvenile perched on fence post at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Waiting for a lunch delivery (White-crowned Sparrow juvenile)

Cobweb Thistle along the trail provided a splash of color on an otherwise gray day.

Cobweb Thistle at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Cobweb Thistle
Landscape of Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Abbotts Lagoon viewed from the trail

As we wound our way towards the ocean, a familiar sound bounced out of the chaparral from two directions – a pair of duetting Wrentits!
 
Wrentits are extremely skulky and more easily heard than seen. Listen to the duet below – the male performs his accelerating, bouncing-ball song, while the female sings her more measured tune in the distance.

Sometimes all it takes is a tiny creature to stop you dead in your tracks. We marveled at the jewel-like back of this Coyote Brush Leaf Beetle.

Coyote Brush Leaf Beetle green and yellow on ground at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Coyote Brush Leaf Beetle

As we neared the southern half of the lagoon, a Caspian Tern showed off its angular wings, black cap, and candy-corn bill.

Adult Caspian Tern flying overhead at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Caspian Tern

One hunched juvenile sat off to the side, away from the rest of its group.

Caspian Tern juvenile loafing on shoreline at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Caspian Tern juvenile
Caspian Tern adults and juveniles loafing on shoreline at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Caspian Terns – another juvenile at front left

Listen below to the sound of a juvenile’s begging wail. You can also hear the hoarse screams of an adult interspersed throughout.

When this flock of small sandpipers blew in and landed close by, we knew we’d hit a goldmine of shorebird study-time.

Flock of peeps mostly Western Sandipers and a few Least Sandpipers flying above water at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
We love a good peep flock!

Western Sandpipers were the most abundant peep of the day. Notice how the scapulars of these two juveniles are lined with bright rufous tones.

Western Sandpipers wading at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Western Sandpiper juveniles

A small handful of Least Sandpipers were sprinkled in – mostly keeping to the outer edge of the group.

Least Sandpiper wading at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Least Sandpiper juvenile

At one point, nine Sanderlings joined the ranks. It was neat to see them standing still in the brackish water, rather than chasing the ocean surf as they’re most often seen. Their back and head feathers appear mottled as they transition into basic (non-breeding), gray-and-white plumage.

Sanderlings molting wading at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Sanderlings

This lone Short-billed Dowitcher foraged beside two loafing American Avocets.

Short-billed Dowitcher wading at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Short-billed Dowitcher juvenile and American Avocets

As if our shorebird bonanza wasn’t plentiful enough, a Greater Yellowlegs let out several “toot-toot-toot“-s as it flew fairly high over the lagoon.

To top it all off – as we sat quietly in observation, this Red-necked Phalarope foraged closer and closer, til it was nearly in our laps!

Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope wading at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Red-necked Phalarope juvenile

The bird stayed near us for a long while, displaying all angles.

Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope wading at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
OK, be honest now – which is my best side?


Do you love shorebird identification as much as we do?
Then, check out our BIRD QUIZ #3: LOAFING SHOREBIRDS.



Four hours and only one mile later, we reached the ocean and turned back to see what the return trip had in store.

Man using binoculars carrying spotting scope at ocean coastline at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Scanning the shoreline

Back in the scrub, a Common Yellowthroat perched in the dream-like, foggy landscape.

Common Yellowthroat perched on branch at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Common Yellowthroat

We’ve developed a budding interest in odonates, and stopped to look closely at these three.

Cardinal Meadowhawk dragonfly landed at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Cardinal Meadowhawk
Blue damselfly at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Northern Bluet (our best guess)
Darner at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Blue-eyed Darner

As we neared the parking lot – wouldn’t you know it – two White-crowned Sparrows popped up, providing a nice bookend to our day. We watched in amusement as this juvenile on the left pestered its mom or dad, pecking repeatedly at the parent’s wings, legs, and tail.

White-crowned Sparrow adult and young juvenile perched on barbed wire at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
White-crowned Sparrows – look closely, the adult is banded on its right leg

There’s an endless amount to explore at the Point Reyes National Seashore – a lifetime’s worth! Thank goodness we’re just a short and scenic drive away!

7 thoughts on “Marin County Birding: Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore

  1. Although I have visited Northern California twice, I never made it to Point Reyes – my loss obviously!

  2. HI Guys
    Abbott’s Lagoon has always Benin one of my favorite places. The walk out always has a few surprises, like seeing reed lined pond with the sand dunes as a background. Beautiful! I’ve seen a bunch of rarities out there. Here’s a few birds I’ve been fortunate to see: Burrowing Owl, Lapland and Chestnut-collared Longspurs, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Lesser Sand-Plover, Le Conte’s Sparrow, Parasitic Jaeger, and even Prairie Falcon! Thanks for your wonderful blog.
    Rob O’Donnell

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