Birders gather for winter viewing in San Rafael

Rich Cimino of Larkspur and other watch for birds during a birding walk with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

A Sora is spotted during a birding walk with the Marin Audubon Society at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

A group stops to look for a bird during a birding walk field trip with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. This is the tenth season the Marin Audubon Society has offered the free Saturday walks to go birding at locations around Marin. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

A black crowned night heron is seen during a birding walk with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Marin Audubon Society volunteer Jim White of Muir Beach sets up a scope during a birding walk field trip with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. This is the tenth season the Marin Audubon Society has offered the free Saturday walks to go birding at locations around Marin. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

ASnowy Egret is seen foraging during a birding walk with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Sharon Barnett of San Rafael watches a bird during a birding walk field trip with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. This is the tenth season the Marin Audubon Society has offered the free Saturday walks to go birding at locations around Marin. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

A flock of cackling geese are seen flying over the Las Gallinas Ponds during a birding walk with Marin Audubon at in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Birders stop to look for a specific species in flight during a birding walk with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

Dunlins are seen taking flight during a birding walk with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)

A Song Sparrow is seen perched on a cattail during a birding walk with Marin Audubon at the Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)