Helpful Hints

• Birders come from all over the world to Point Reyes National Seashore, which boasts some of the best birding anywhere in the U.S. For observing winter waterfowl (grebes, coots, terns, ducks) and raptors, Abbotts Lagoon is a sure bet. Fall and winter are good times for spotting black-shouldered kites. The sandy beaches just beyond the lagoon are nesting grounds for the threatened snowy plover.
• Abbotts Lagoon covers more than 200 acres and is joined by a spillway to two freshwater ponds. The lagoon is only rarely influenced by tides; this occurs when strong winter waves break through its low sand bar. The result is water that is a mix of saltwater and freshwater, creating a haven for birds.
• Abbotts Lagoon Trail is a favorite not just with birders but also with beach lovers. Just beyond the lagoon's sand bar lies Point Reyes Beach, also known as Ten-Mile Beach. You can walk north or south on the windswept sand as far as you please. Note that