A practical guide to bird watching in Sonoma County, California
(Unless otherwise indicated, all phone numbers are in the 707 area code)
A practical guide to bird watching in Sonoma County, California
(Unless otherwise indicated, all phone numbers are in the 707 area code)
Bodega Bay: “The Hole in the Head”
Location: At the end of Westshore Rd., Bodega Bay. Beyond Owl Canyon 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
Habitats: Freshwater pond, marshy areas, coastal scrub, coastal woods
Typical Species: Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Blue Heron, Western Scrub-jay, Crow, Raven, Brewer’s Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Harrier, Black Phoebe, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch
Restroom facilities: Restrooms in the Campbell Cove parking lot and up the hill, at Bodega Head.
Restaurants Nearby: See the Bodega Bay Overview page for restaurant recommendations.
Nearby attractions: See the Bodega Bay Overview page.
Related bird watching spots: The “Hole in the Head” is adjacent to Campbell Cove. 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 Harbor.
Notes: 1. The pond is manmade. It was created by the initial excavation for a proposed Pacific Gas & Electric nuclear power station here in the early 1960s. The project was stopped by local and statewide protest. The force of the protest efforts was bolstered by the fact that the San Andreas fault runs through the spot.
2. Although not officially sanctioned, it has in the past been possible to enter the fenced area through holes in the fence. The easiest hole is well to the right of the entrance to the observation deck (photo). This allows you to walk around the perimeter of the pond*. Some of the best birds are often behind the pond and visible only from that vantage point. In addition, there is a rugged and hard-to-find extension of the trail that will drop you down into Campbell Cove proper, at the water line, but this is heavily covered with vegetation and not easy to pass through. During migration, the unusual warblers will most likely be found in the areas around the back of the pond. Tread lightly.
*In early 2015, rangers closed the holes in the fence. At present, it is still possible to walk around the pond inside the fence, but the openings are less obvious. Please be very discreet. Try not to be seen entering or exiting the fenced-in area, especially if rangers are around.
The bird in the photo: Wilson’s Warbler, The Hole in the Head, June 23, 2013
All photos by the author, unless otherwise indicated
Maps by Google Maps
RETURN TO THE BODEGA BAY OVERVIEW PAGE
© Colin Talcroft, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
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.