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SPRING 2010
Note: Trip reports for each of the above outings will
be posted on this site before the next class meeting.
Alum Rock Park (Santa Clara County)
Saturday, April 03, 08:00 am (1/2 Day)
The park is set in a steep east-west canyon in the hills above San Jose. The slopes one the north side of the cut are characterized by expansive areas of chaparral, as well as earthy or grassy patches. The south side of the cut however is dense oak-eucalyptus with occasional pine, shadowy and wonderful. At the base of all this is a meandering creek with it's own collection of riparian plant communities including willow and sycamore. Along the creek the budding deciduous trees and flowering eucalyptus attract a host of insects who in turn attract avian species that feed on them. Rocky outcroppings in several areas of the park provide home for more than a few species who may prefer those conditions. And of course, there is the great big sky overhead. Everywhere in the park appeals to some species of bird... Directions: We will rendez vous at 08:00 am at Rustic Lands area of Alum Rock Park. The link below begins in Palo Alto and stops at the entrance kiosk where you will pay your fee. Continue into the park. There is only one entrance road, so you can't miss it. The Rustic Lands area is just past the restrooms building and should be easy to recognize because of the three or four enormous eucalyptus trees growing right out of the pavement. You might also be interested to know that this area has had Northern Pygmy Owl in previous years... how cool is that? Lunch: Bring your lunch. After we have relocated our cars, we'll explore the stone bridge and areas around the interpretive center, as well as the dry hillside where we hope to find Rufous-crowned Sparrow. After all that, we'll have lunch in the shaded picnic area near the parking area. There is limited seating, but I think we'll manage. Drive time: 45 minutes from Palo Alto.
Gilroy Hot Springs (Santa Clara County)
Saturday, April 17, 8:00 am (2/3 day)
This lovely roadside birding trail takes us through a lush riparian habitat in the Gilroy hills which provides nesting habitat for Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Black-throated Gray and MacGillivray's Warbler (we should be prepared to identify these species by voice...) Other species to look for include Lark and Rufous-crowned Sparrows. Recently, one of our group found Northern Pygmy Owl here as well, so we'll certainly search for that! Along the way home, we can search for Western Kingbird in the open areas along Jameson Road. Directions: Take Hwy 101 south toward Gilroy. Exit at Leavesley Road and go east 1.5 miles. Turn lefto onto New Avenue then right oto Roop Road. The name changes to Gilroy Hot Springs Road (GHSR) at Coyote Reservoir. GHSR follows 5 miles of creekside to a bridge barrier where it stops. We will meet BEFORE this at Hunting Hollow about .6 miles from Canada Road. Lunch: Please bring a bag lunch. We will eat somewhere in the preserve. Drive time: 45 minutes from Palo Alto.
SCVAS Birdathon with Team DeDUCKtions (Santa Clara County)
Saturday, April 24, 5:00 am (Full Day)
This will be an action-packed day of birding in Santa Clara County during which time our team will strive to beat our previous year's total of 144 species in a 24-hour period. All proceeds for the event go directly to SCVAS for their education and conservation efforts. If you can't join us for the actual birding, at least support our team with a generous pledge.
Mitchell Canyon (Contra Costa County)
Saturday, May 01, 8:00 am (Full Day)
A steep canyon with dense riparian understory leading up to Mount Diablo. Some areas provide dry chaparral hapbitat for Wrentit, while some are more shaded and moist. Spring migrants could include several uncommon Warblers, such as Black-throated Gray, Hermit and MacGillivray's. More common species such as Western Wood Pewee and Olive-sided Flycatcher should be expected. Directions: Take Hwy 680 North to Walnut Creek. Exit on Ygnacio Valley Road (going right, roughly east, watch for Western Kingbirds). Follow Ygnacio Valley Road for 7.5 miles through town toward Clayton. Turn Right on Clayton Road and drive about 1.0 mile. Turn Right on Mitchell Canyon Road and drive about 1.3 miles to the end. Pay your fee and continue into the parking area farther in near the buildings. Lunch: We will eat at the picnic tables beneath the trees located beside the lot. Drive time: 2 hours from Palo Alto.
Sunol Regional Wilderness (Alameda County)
Saturday, May 08, 8:00 am (2/3 Day)
Riparian woodland is bordered by vast grassy hillsides. Numerous sycamore trees line the rushing stream and are filled with chattering Bullock's Orioles, Warbling Vireos and Orange-crowned Warblers. With luck, we may find Cassin's Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher or Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Golden Eagles nest in the cliffs, and Common Merganser are occasionally found along the creek. If we keep our eyes open, we may even see Yellow-billed Magpie on the hillsides. It's not impossible to find Lawrence's Goldfinch here, as well as Lazuli Bunting, but it may be a little early for that much blue. On our way home, we may continue along Calaras Road, search for nesting Bald Eagles on the reservoir, and perhaps even stop in at Ed Levin. Directions: Take Hwy 237 through Milpitas and take Hwy 680 North to Calaveras Road. Turn right onto Calaveras and follow the signs south to the entrance to the park (left on Geary Road). Lunch: We will eat at the picnic tables beneath the sycamores. Drive time: 1 hour from Palo Alto.
Mines Road / Del Puerto Canyon GROUP 1 (Alameda, Santa Clara, Stanislaus Counties)
Saturday, May 15, 8:00 am (Full Day)
This is a vast area for which there is no central destination, but a checklist of birds for the Alameda County portion is available on line. Another checklist for the Del Puerto Canyon portion is also available. Combined, it covers much of our tour and looks like we have quite a few possible species to search for. This is the seminal spring birding trip for Bay Area birders! We will conduct this trip as a caravan, making stops as birds and habitat present themselves. Bathroom facilities are infrequent at best. Birds we will look for include Lewis' Woodpecker, Western Kingbird, Rock and Canyon Wrens, Phainopepla, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Rufous-crowned Sparrow and Lawrence's Goldfinch. Directions: Take I-580 east over the Altamont Pass to I-5. Go south on I-5 to the Patterson exit. Go west (right) to Del Puerto Canyon Road. Meet at the first pull out on Del Puerto Canyon Road at 8:00 (this is where we located Grasshopper Sparrow and Blue Grosbeak before). Lunch: We will probably eat our picnic lunch at Frank Raines Regional Park. If not there, somewhere nice... Drive time: Almost 2 hours from Palo Alto.
Mines Road / Del Puerto Canyon GROUP 2 (Alameda, Santa Clara, Stanislaus Counties)
Saturday, May 22, 8:00 am (1/2 Day)
This is a vast area for which there is no central destination, but a checklist of birds for the Alameda County portion is available on line. Another checklist for the Del Puerto Canyon portion is also available. Combined, it covers much of our tour and looks like we have quite a few possible species to search for. This is the seminal spring birding trip for Bay Area birders! We will conduct this trip as a caravan, making stops as birds and habitat present themselves. Bathroom facilities are infrequent at best. Birds we will look for include Lewis' Woodpecker, Western Kingbird, Rock and Canyon Wrens, Phainopepla, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Rufous-crowned Sparrow and Lawrence's Goldfinch. Directions: Take I-580 east over the Altamont Pass to I-5. Go south on I-5 to the Patterson exit. Go west (right) to Del Puerto Canyon Road. Meet at the first pull out on Del Puerto Canyon Road at 8:00 (this is where we located Grasshopper Sparrow and Blue Grosbeak before). Lunch: We will probably eat our picnic lunch at Frank Raines Regional Park. If not there, somewhere nice... Drive time: Almost 2 hours from Palo Alto.
Mokelumne River Preserve (San Joaquin Valley)
Saturday, May 29, 8:00 am (1/2 Day)
We will revisit this central valley location this term, searching the beautiful Mokulumne River Fish Installation (a Salmon hatchery) for Waterbirds such as Common Mergnaser, Wood Duck and American Dipper. The many oaks with festooned with mistletoe also provide perches for uncommon Phainopepla and Lewis's Woodpecker. While in winter we had Bald Eagle and Osprey over the dam, we may find different Raptors overhead in spring. My expectation is that the Passerines may be of special interest with potentially a different assortment than we find in the bay area. Directions: From Hwy 99 at Lodi, drive east on Hwy 12 through the towns of Lokford and Clements for approximately 3.5 miles, and then turn left on McIntire Rd. Continue driving north on McIntire for approximately 1.3 miles to the entrance to the Day Use Area. Park in first lot on left. Lunch: We will have a celebration spring potluck at Kaz and Aikos home in Lodi, and watch the feeders for their Black-chinned Hummingbird. Drive time: 2.0 hours from Palo Alto.
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