Environmental Docent Led Walks at Shoreline

Last Tuesday I went on the Environmental Docent Led Nature walk at Shoreline. It started at 11:00 and everyone met next to the Rengstorff House. The walks are every Tuesday and the 4th Sunday of the month at 11:00 am. It's usually a small group, which is nice so everyone can ask questions about the birds or the marshes. The docent explained to us the history of the Rengstorff House and that it was not originally out near the bay. And that Henry Rengstorff made his fortune by selling supplies to the forty-niners. The most facinating part of the discussion is about the process of turning a landfill into the most beautiful open-space that is now dedicated to nature. Well, it's "dedicated to nature" but also enjoyed by the wind surfers and golfers and trail users.

We talked about a hummingbird that flew by, several mallard ducks in the creek, the nesting area for swallows, the egrets, finches, burrowing owls, Canadian geese, and doves that all live in this area. Did you know that hummingbirds nests are made from old spiderwebs that the birds collect? It's true. That way the parent hummingbirds can easily stretch the nest after their eggs have hatched and they need a bit more room. And we talked about the geese. I always wondered why we have so many geese at the park and where they came from. The docent explained that they were once on the "protected list" but that they are now a bit of a nuisance and that different measures are being used to try to keep the geese from taking over all of Mountain View. Well, she didn't say it like that. But that's what I was thinking!

Our docent also told us about the hares that roam around the marshland and the "garter" snakes that look very similar to rattlesnakes. Sometimes you see them on the trail, laying in the sun.

It's a very easy walk. You'll go at a slow pace, along the flat paved trail. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket and binoculars. You don't need reservations; just show up a few minutes before the walk begins. This walk would be a nice way for a small group of coworkers to do something out of the ordinary on their lunch hour. For more details about the walks at "Shoreline at Mountain View" or the Rengstorff House, visit the city website.