Until the late 1980s Neary Lagoon provided some of the best birding in the county. Nearby development since then has reduced bird numbers and limited birding access and opportunities, but the lagoon still offers freshwater marsh and riparian habitat.
Directions. The main entrance is off California St just east of Bay St. Other entries are at the south end of Chestnut St (about 0.25 mile past its intersection with Laurel St), and at the south end of Blackburn St. Any of these entries leads to a series of paths and wooden walkways across the marsh, allowing one to walk a loop through most of the area’s habitats. To reach a public path on a lawn along lower Laurel Creek to the northeast corner of the lagoon, follow the rather obscure signs through the Shelter Lagoon housing complex at the end of Felix St.
Birds. The route to the lagoon from the California St entrance skirts a playground as it passes some riparian woodland that is always worth checking (through the fence) for riparian species and other migrants. Before dropping to the lagoon, the path also passes some weedy and brushy areas, where Spotted and California towhees, Purple Finch, and (in migration and winter) various warblers and sparrows congregate. The large eucalyptus tree here and the adjacent vegetation have harbored rarities.
The lagoon itself still supports some water and marsh birds, although not what it used to be. Wood Ducks nest here and sometimes afford close views. Marsh Wren and Common Yellowthroat nest, too, and Ring-necked Duck, Sora, and Virginia Rail often turn up in winter, along with an occasional Common Moorhen. Black-crowned Night-Heron may often be seen from the boardwalk, roosting in the willows along the lagoon’s east shore. Great Blue Heron and Green Heron also visit here. The willow thickets around the lagoon still hold some nesting riparian species and have produced a wide variety of vagrants over the years.