On March 1st, Earth Team interns took a deep dive into local biodiversity with a birdwatching and nature poetry field event at MLK Shoreline in Oakland. The shoreline showcases a rich wetland leading out to open waters, providing the perfect habitat for a diverse range of birds, from egrets to willets to small songbirds.
We were joined on our excursion by the newest member of Earth Team, Isa Mattioli. Interns geared up with binoculars and field guides, and began the walk at 9 AM on the foggy East Bay Morning. Breaking into smaller groups so as to not startle the birds, interns quickly began to spot shorebirds dotted along the shoreline. Rounding the bend of the trail, we paused for a while to watch a group of egrets sheltering from the cold wind. Along the trail, we even encountered a group of senior birdwatchers, demonstrating to the interns that birdwatching isn’t just an educational exercise but also a lifelong hobby that fosters environmental connection and appreciation.Shows that birding goes beyond simply spotting birds—it’s an opportunity to practice species identification and deepen ecological awareness.
Nature guides helped the students identify the following species:
- American Coot, Fulica americana
- Black-Bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- Brant, Branta bernicla
- Bufflehead, Ucephala albeola
- Canada Goose, Branta canadensis
- Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
- Great Egret, Ardea alba
- Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
- Snowy Plover, Charadrius nivosus
- Willet, Tringa semipalmata
Following the walk, interns gathered at the observation tower overlooking Arrowhead Marsh and channeled their experiences into nature-inspired poetry. They took time to reflect on the sights, sounds, and emotions they felt while walking the trail, translating their observations into creative expressions.
Mallards <3
-Sophia, Arroyo High School
As I see them fly
I remember walking with
my mom as a kid
Hand in hand, we went
Around the neighborhood, and
Watched all the duckies
Nature Poem
-Mia, Arroyo High School
Saw a ring billed gull, lowkey very dull.
But we saw a plover, black-bellied full of power.
Cute and small, not at all tall.
Wind picking up, getting a bit chilly.
But do not fret, every bird was fed.
Wings of Willet
-Kim, San Lorenzo High
Wind crushing with my hair
Untangling it every second
Chirps enter the wind
Birds prepare to fly
Flapping their wings
With a trip in mind
Black and white
All over the wings
A Willet
Poem Of Green
-Rossana, San Lorenzo High
Vast waters
And many greens
Birds chirp
American Coots float
Nature brings Oxygen
Sanderlings walk near the shorelines
The “hike” took a long time
Bird watchers and geese
Flying, they travel in a V
Untitled
-Sadie, Arroyo High School
A bee
A tree
Surrounded me
A gloomy sky
Small birds fly by
Colorful flowers all around
Chirping songs begin to surround
The wind is cold
The current folds
Walking on me and my team
On a nature walk
So lively and green
Nature Poem
-Ericka, Arroyo High School
You’re a crow
I’m a raven.
We get mixed up often.
But there are things
That make us
Not like the other.
Sometimes I wish
I was a crow
Like you
So then
We could be together
To end the day, some interns stuck around to enjoy a picnic by the lake. Experiences like these allow our interns to develop a deeper appreciation for their local communities and the natural beauty sometimes hidden by the bustling bay.
EarthTeam would like to thank the Alameda County 2024 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund from the Alameda County Fish and Game Commission for providing funding for this experience.
