[EBB Sightings] Meeker Slough directions

Lisa, et al.

I too was challenged by the sketchy directions to Meeker Slough;  
however, I did a bit of research and was able to take my group of  
friends there Monday using the following directions to get to the  
51st Street entrance:

Take Hwy 80 to where it splits and where you will leave 80.  Stay to  
the right and drive onto Hwy 580.  Take the Bayview exit and turn  
left over the freeway.  When you reach the stop sign, turn left on  
Seaport, then an immediate left onto 51st St.  These lefts happen so  
quickly that it's almost like a U-turn.  Go to the end and park on  
the street.  After exiting your car, you will see what appears to be  
a blocked road, which you should ignore.  Instead, walk past the  
posts at the beginning of the trail.  When you get to the Bay Trail,  
which is very soon after walking over a bridge, turn right and follow  
the trail down to the area around the dilapidated pier, which is  
where most people have seen the skimmers, that is, after looking at  
the various shorebirds along the way.

The birding was superb -- not only Black Skimmers but also three  
Black Oystercatchers that foraged on the shore practically the entire  
time we were there.  Many more species including looks at side-by- 
side Long-billed Curlew and Whimbrel, which was a good lesson in  
their similarities and differences.  I hope this is helpful.

Best birding to you,

Marilyn Trabert
Walnut Creek