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Backyard Birds for Beginners at McClellan Ranch Preserve
Lesser Goldfinch by Deanne Tucker
Learn birding basics and your backyard birds on this beginners' bird walk, meet some new people, and experience the joys of birding! This event will start outside the SCVAS Nature Shop in Cupertino, where we will focus on the birds that visit our feeders. These are the same backyard birds that you may see in your garden. With the help of our volunteers, you’ll learn how to use binoculars to observe the birds that come to the feeders, how to use Merlin, (a free bird identification app for both android and iPhones) that is helpful for new birders, and learn birding basics. We’ll then take a short stroll together along the Stevens Creek Trail, looking for and identifying birds in varied habitats. Afterwards, we’ll email you a list of the bird species observed and a guide to additional birding resources. Trip limited to 8 participants.
Trip Difficulty: less than 1/2 mile, paved flat path
Other Trip Notes: Loaner binoculars available. This is a wheelchair-friendly accessible trip open to everyone, including people with mobility challenges.
Leaders: Peg Albrets (408) 891-3554, Eve Meier (408) 569-9391
Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly Ages 10 and up, Wheelchair Accessible, Loaner Binoculars Available
Meet: In front of the SCVAS Nature Shop
Directions: From I-280 in Cupertino, exit Foothill Expy. Travel south onto Foothill Blvd for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto McClellan Rd and continue for 0.5 miles. Turn left into the overflow parking lot (Latitude/Longitude: 37.313534, -122.064897). The nature shop is located across the creek at the preserve entrance (address: 22221 McClellan Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014, Latitude/Longitude: 37.313072, -122.063695.
Facilities: ADA compliant bathroom, drinking water
Parking Type and Fees: Please use overflow lot. No fees, 2 ADA compliant parking spots in the main parking lot and 2 more in the overflow parking lot
Banner Photo: Lesser Goldfinch by Deanne Tucker
Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvas.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.