These two permanent lakes lie close to each other and can easily be visited in turn. Each offers good birding without a great deal of time or walking. Corralitos Lagoon is a county park. Merk Pond, on private land, is located along a quiet country road. Both ponds are most interesting in the fall and winter. Lighting is best in the afternoon, although the road along Merk Pond allows different viewing angles that accommodate glare if the birds are in the right place. A spotting scope helps, especially at Corralitos Lagoon.
Directions. For Corralitos Lagoon, take the Freedom Blvd exit off Hwy 1. Turn east (inland) onto Freedom Blvd, which gradually curves and goes south. After 4.3 miles (passing White Rd) turn right on inconspicuous Sunflower Ln. Park along Sunflower Ln, and walk left (south) through the opening in the fence near the creek to reach the lagoon. For Merk Pond, continue south on Freedom Blvd for 0.6 miles beyond Sunflower Ln, turn left on Corralitos Rd, and left again after 0.4 miles on Merk Rd. Merk Pond soon appears on the left. Bird here only from the road; there are some small pullouts. Do not block or park in driveways of local residences. Check Merk Rd on foot beyond the pond after parking near the pond.
Birds. Most of the usual dabbling and diving ducks visit regularly in fall and winter, although the assortment varies considerably year to year. Expected species include Cinnamon, Blue-winged (rare), and Green-winged teal, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. Beginning in late October Merk Pond is one of the best local places to view Hooded Merganser. Eurasian Wigeon has also been found at both sites (especially Merk); Redhead occasionally visits Corralitos Lagoon. Other waterbirds include Eared Grebe, various herons (including American Bittern rarely at Merk), Wilson’s Snipe, Common Moorhen (rare), Sora, and Virginia Rail. In August to October Merk Pond can attract shorebirds along its receding margins. The trees next to each pond may harbor vireos, warblers, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker (winter), Brown Creeper, California Thrasher (Merk only), Red-shouldered Hawk, and accipiters.
After passing Merk Pond, Merk Rd skirts some agricultural fields with wintering sparrows (White-throated is annual) and raptors (including Merlin). A small corral with cattle has blackbird flocks, often with Brown-headed Cowbird. Fall and winter vagrant warblers frequent a willow riparian area past the corral.