South Bay Jan. 28th, 2010 Charleston Slough

At the end of San Antonio Road in Mountain View is a part of the Shoreline Regional Wildlife Area known as Charleston Slough. Over 130 acres of active tidal salt marsh is home to waterfowl and marsh birds such as pelicans, egrets, great blue herons, coots, ducks and sandpipers. Our South Bay Tiny Treks class hiked to the observation deck over the wetlands. We gathered there for our morning welcome and stretches and then set to work to make binoculars for our hike along the trail. A few toilet paper tubes, tape and string for a neck cord were all that was needed for a marvelous pair of home-made binoculars. A few stickers and markers for coloring assured that each pair was personalized. We set off along the trail with Shorebird Scavenger Hunts in hand. We were looking for pelicans, terns, avocets, egrets, and herons. But, there were none in sight! We did see some honking Canadian Geese fly overhead and a tiny hummingbird resting on a branch. We noticed a bird flapping its wings and hovering like a helicopter high in the air before diving down into the marsh. We spied a Night Heron sitting in the grasses and lots and lots of ducks. We returned to the deck for our snack and story time and ended class with a rousing rendition of "Down by the Bay". Every Tiny Treks outing is a new adventure and so much fun to share with friends.