Skaggs Island Guided Bird Tours

Tuesday, January 5 through Tuesday, February 23

Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s guided bird tour every Tuesday in January and February 2016 at Skaggs Island – part of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Skaggs Island, a former Naval Communication Station, is located near  California State Route 37  between  Novato  and  Vallejo. The 4,400-acre Skaggs Island supports deer, birds of prey, coyote, egrets, herons, and assorted other wildlife that use the various grasslands, shrub stands, ephemeral pools, old drainage channels, and non-native eucalyptus trees as habitat. 

This tour will focus on the many raptors that winter on Skaggs Island.  Possible sightings could include: white-tailed kites, Northern harriers, rough-legged hawks, merlins, American kestrels, golden eagle, peregrine falcons, ferruginous hawks, and several species of owls. Join  Tim Behr of Golden Gate Raptor Observatory on this raptor/bird tour in an area normally closed to the public. This tour will take approximately 3-4 hours and will be primarily a car tour with little walking. Wear layers and sturdy shoes, and bring binoculars, scopes, sunscreen, water and snacks. There are no restroom facilities at the site.

Meet at the white gate on Skaggs Island Road (please be on time as this gate will be closed once the tour begins)

For more information about Skaggs Island, please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

RSVP: melisa_amato@fws.gov or (707) 769-4200 x 102

Directions: http://www.fws.gov/uploadedfiles/skaggsdirections.pdf

Dates: January 5, 12, 19, & 26 and February 2, 9, 16, & 23

Note: Rain cancels. Fog and /or drizzle may cancel, but will be determined on site.

Time: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Cost: Free

Contact: melisa_amato@fws.gov or 707-769-4200 (x 102)

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