Return of the Terns (12:15pm bus)

DOUG SIDEN VISITOR CENTER AT CRAB COVE: Join us for a special day dedicated to the endangered California Least Tern! View an outdoor presentation about their fascinating behaviors and the reasons for their success at the largest colony in the northern most part of Central CA (all visitors welcome): 10:15am, 11:30am, and 12:45pm.

Reserve your spot to view the nest site teeming with several hundred pairs of terns and their chicks, accessible only on our tour bus (space limited), which leaves from the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove right after each presentation. Experts aboard the bus will interpret bird behavior. Masks on the bus will be recommended, and the windows will be kept open, so please dress with warm layers if it is a typical cool day.

At 3pm, join a naturalist to look for these amazing acrobats hunting at Crab Cove (all visitor welcome, binoculars available for loan).

Bus rides to the colony (reservations required): 11am, 12:15pm, and 1:30pm

Ages 8 and up (for bus ride).

Fee: $14 per person for bus ($16 non-resident).

Registration required.

For information, call (510) 544-3187.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

Arrive 45 minutes before the bus trip to view a slide show that will help you learn about the Least Tern’s long journey and fascinating behavior.

Binoculars available for loan if you're not able to bring your own.

Bus ride from Crab Cove to the proposed Alameda Wildlife Refuge is about 10 minutes each way.

To avoid disturbing the endangered terns, visitors must stay on the bus to view activity.

From Cities to the North, take I-80 West to I-880 South and take the Broadway exit. Turn right at the light onto 5th Street. Stay on 5th Street following the signs to Alameda. Go through the Webster Street Tunnel (Tube) to Alameda.

From Cities to the South, take I-880 North. Exit at Broadway in Oakland. Turn right on Broadway, right on 7th Street, and right on Webster. Go through the Webster Street Tunnel (Tube) to Alameda.

From Walnut Creek, take Highway 24 West to I-980, towards downtown Oakland. Exit at 12th/11th Streets. Continue on Brush Street to 5th Street. Turn left on 5th Street and stay in the left lanes, following the signs to Alameda. Go through the Webster Street Tunnel (Tube) to Alameda.

In Alameda, continue on Webster Street across town. Turn right on Central Ave., go one block, and turn left onto McKay Ave. (at Neptune's Restaurant). Crab Cove is at the end of McKay on the left.

MAP: Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove