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Shollenberger Park

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An outstanding wildlife observation area close to home.

Shollenberger Park

by Betty Burridge

One of Sonoma County's best-kept secrets from the birder's point of view is Shollenberger Park in southeast Petaluma. Not a lawn-and-tree kind of a park, this is a protected and evolving wetland. It has diked ponds of various sizes, waterways (including a boundary along the Petaluma River), ample marsh vegetation, and open fields. For visitors there are level paved and gravelled paths, and a few benches and picnic tables. A loop trail extends two miles around the main dike.

An astonishing variety of birds may be found here in every season. Large flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl arrive in fall and stay through the winter. Many different species of shorebirds frequent the mudflats close to the trail, making study and observation fairly easy. Hooded Mergansers, Blue-winged Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Barrow's Goldeneyes and Old Squaws are often sighted here between December and February. During the past few winters a single Burrowing Owl has found shelter along the northern portion of the loop trail. Last winter, several American Bitterns were seen regularly near the park entrance. Even a very rare Franklin's Gull has been sighted on at least one occasion. During the breeding season, May through July, nests and young of American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Pied-billed Grebes, Common Moorhens, American Coots, Canada Geese, and Mallards can be fairly easily observed from the loop trail. Year-around residents such as Virginia and Sora Rails and American Bitterns also nest here but are very secretive, as are Song Sparrows, and Common Yellowthroats. Wilson's Phalaropes have nested here in past years. While herons and egrets feed and loaf in ponds and streams, turkey vultures and a variety of hawks may seen overhead. Peregrine Falcons and Golden Eagles are occasional visitors.

Some 25 years ago this was a seasonal wetland serving as unimproved pasture for a few cattle and flood control for overflow from the Petaluma River. Because of its location at the foot of Cader Lane, it became known in the birding community as the Cader Lane Ponds, and it is still referred to as such in Madrone Audubon's 1995 Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas. Shollenberger park is now owned and maintained by the city of Petaluma.

Birders will find that they share the trails with bicyclists, joggers, walkers, and dog owners. Fortunately the design of the park allows for relatively undisturbed pursuit of all these healthful out-door activities. Be advised that no restroom facilities or drinking water are available.

How to get there: From Highway 101, turn onto Lakeville Highway (Highway 116 east) and go east about one mile to South McDowell Boulevard. Turn south on McDowell and proceed about 1/4 mile to the far side of the U. S. Postal Service buildings. Turn right at a tiny lane marked with just a simple street sign, "City Park," at the foot of Cader Lane. Fifty yards down the primitive lane is a paved parking lot. The lane continues as a trail leading up onto the main dike.