Raido Road Bird Sketching Fieldtrip

It is time to explore the ponds of Radio Road. The Black Skimmers are in and tern chicks have hatched! The day will not involve a hike and will be wheelchair accessible and a great opportunity for people with limited mobility. There are no restrooms at the site so go before you go. You think you have seen birds? This will blow your socks off. They will be close enough to sketch without binoculars but bring them if you have them and borrow a spotting scope from a friend if you can. The birds that have become accustomed to joggers and dog walkers so a bunch of sketchers should be no problem. Bring a wide brimmed hat and a lawn chair and enjoy the birds. I will give a mini workshop and a sketching demonstration in the morning for about a half an hour to give you the basics of drawing birds. Then get your sketch on. After our famous potluck lunch (bring a cup, bowl, spoon, and something to share), we will return to sketching the birds as the composition of the flocks changes throughout the day.

Radio Road is located at the northeastern end of Redwood Shores Parkway. From US 101, take exit 411, which has many names, including “Redwood Shores Parkway.” Whether exiting from US 101 north or south, follow the small sign that points you in the direction of the small San Carlos Airport; this will put you on Redwood Shores Parkway in the correct direction. Once you are on Redwood Shores Parkway, stay on it for a few miles. When you reach Shearwater Parkway (an optimistically named street!), continue on Redwood Shores Parkway, and look for the tall electrical towers just past a slough on your right. There is a sign there that says “SBSA 1400 Radio Road.” Turn right at this sign; you are now on Radio Road. You come to a stop sign; in front of you are the ponds of Radio Road; to your right is the Dog Park; to your left is the left spur of Radio Road; if you take a right, you can reach the main parking for Radio Road (and South Bayside System Authority). These directions make it sound quite complicated, but it is really quite simple – take Redwood Shores Parkway to Radio Road!

There are no restrooms at the site but you can find them at nearby Shorebird Park (turn left on Redwood Shores Parkway from Radio Road, right on Shearwater Parkway which becomes Marine Parkway, then turn right on Island Drive. The restroom is at the corner of Marine and Island. If you reach Oracle towers you have gone too far.

$20 suggested donation. No registration necessary.