Several species use isolated Pelican Rock and the more peninsular Greyhound Rock nearby to the north as roosts. These formations can be scanned from Hwy 1. Other overlooks of this spectacular coastline are also worth a check from above. Exercise great caution around these cliff edges.
Directions. The best vantage point from which to survey these rocks is the wide shoulder off Hwy 1 at milepost 34.49 (3 miles north of Scott Creek). Greyhound Rock has a large marked parking area at milepost 34.88, just south of an intersection with Swanton Rd, and a trail down to the beach. Never leave valuables in your car at this isolated lot.
Birds. True to its name, Pelican Rock is used as a roost by Brown Pelicans along with Brandt’s and Pelagic cormorants and gulls. Pigeon Guillemots nest on the bluffs and congregate on the nearshore waters in spring and summer. Scan the ocean for Marbled Murrelet, Rhinoceros Auklet, scoters, shearwaters, and assorted migrating seabirds. Look also for Black Swift (presently very rare), Common Raven, Black Oystercatcher and Peregrine Falcon. Greyhound Rock is connected to land except at high tides, so it is less frequented by birds; but impressive congregations of 45 to 75 Black Oystercatchers roost here during winter high tides. Check the trees and scrub near the parking during migration; they can harbor rare landbirds.
Another Oceanside pullout is about 0.1 mile south of the wide Pelican Rock overlook. Somewhat overgrown and unmarked trails lead from here through the scrub (caution: poison oak) to coastal overlooks. (Use extreme caution near the edge of the cliffs!) The species mentioned for Pelican Rock are also found here. Acid Beach is below – a semi-circle cove with wonderful sea caves and intertidal ledges. Look for nesting oystercatchers, ravens and gulls. An often overgrown trail leads through the coastal scrub (caution: poison oak) to the promontory to the south, Craig’s Nose, where one can view harbor seal haul-outs and calving beaches. Rock Wren (rare) has recently been found here in the non-breeding season.
Driving between Pelican Rock and Scott Creek the road passes grasslands on the east side of the highway. Grasshopper and Savannah sparrows nest here. One fairly reliable early morning spot for these species is 1.8 miles north of Scott Creek, near the livestock pens at milepost 33.30, but Grasshopper Sparrow sometimes does not appear until late in spring.