A practical guide to bird watching in Sonoma County, California
(Unless otherwise indicated, all phone numbers are in the 707 area code)
Bodega Bay: Campbell Cove
Location aliases: None. Bird watchers know it mostly by its proper name, Campbell Cove. Sometimes used interchangeably (causing a great deal of confusion) with “The Hole in the Head,” which is actually the pond and surroundings just inland from the cove. People often include the entrance to the Bodega Bay boat channel as seen from Campbell Cove as part of Campbell Cove. “Campbell Cove” may also refer to the parking area at Campbell Cove.
Location: At the end of Westshore Rd., Bodega Bay, CA beyond Owl Canyon and at the bottom of the hill reached by the switchback leading up to Bodega Head.
GPS address: None appropriate, as there are no addresses here.
GPS Coordinates: 38 18 19N, 123 03 28W will take you more or less to the Campbell Cove parking lot.
Tide information: See the NOAA Tides & Currents page for Bodega Harbor
Access: Free parking in the parking lot gives easy access to Campbell Cove and to “The Hole in the Head.” This area overlooks the Doran Beach area, but visiting Doran Beach requires backtracking all the way around Bodega Bay. The parking lot has been closed recently (late 2012) because of budget cuts, but there is roadside parking also on the ocean side of the road, before entering the Campbell Cove parking lot.
Habitats: Pacific coast, open ocean, light coastal woods
Typical Species: Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Bufflehead, Surf Scoter, Black Brant. All the common shorebirds may be present at water’s edge, but they tend to stay on the mud flats north of the Cove. Gulls and terns of many types favor the Cove and can be seen flying between the Cove and and the Doran Beach area (Western Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Mew Gull, Heermann’s Gull, Bonaparte’s Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull and others). Pigeon Guillemot are often in the channel from early spring to late fall.
Restroom facilities: Restrooms in the Campbell Cove parking lot and up the hill, at Bodega Head. If Campbell Cove restrooms are closed, head up the hill.
Restaurants Nearby: See the Bodega Bay Overview page for restaurant recommendations.
Nearby attractions: See the Bodega Bay Overview page.
Related bird watching spots: Near Campbell Cove is the “Hole in the Head.” Beyond Campbell Cove and the “Hole in the Head,” up the hill beyond the sharp switchback, is Bodega Head. Campbell Cove overlooks the Doran Beach area, but visiting Doran Beach requires backtracking all the way around Bodega Bay.
The bird in the photo: Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)--First Sonoma County Record (May 22, 2013), photographed May 23, 2013
All photos by the author, unless otherwise indicated
Maps by Google Maps
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© Colin Talcroft, 2009-2016
Unless noted, all photos by the author. If you would like to use one of my images, please ask for permission for non-commercial use with proper credit or commercial use with proper compensation.