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Beginner Birding at the Ranch (Cupertino)

  • Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance (SCVBA) 22221 McClellan Road Cupertino, CA, 95014 United States (map)

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Chestnut-backed Chickadee by Sarah Chan

Beginner Birding at the Ranch (Cupertino)

This event will start outside the SCVAS Nature Shop in Cupertino where we will focus on the birds that visit our feeders such as Lesser Goldfinch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Oak Titmouse and Nutall’s Woodpecker. We will also show you how to use Merlin Bird ID, a free bird identification app for iPhones and Android phones that is helpful for new birders. Then we will take a short stroll together along the paved Stevens Creek Trail, looking for and identifying birds. With luck, we'll see the resident Western Screech Owl!

Trip Difficulty: 1mile, paved trails, gravel trails, muddy or possibly muddy after rain, little or no elevation gain, some shade

Trip Notes: Loaner binoculars available

Leaders: Peg Albrets (408) 891-3554, Karen Rush (650) 669-9250

Beginner Friendly, Loaner Binoculars Available, Family Friendly Ages 4 and up, 1 mile or shorter, 2 hours or less, No elevation gain

Meet: In front of the SCVBA 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 accessible bathroom, cell phone service

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: Chestnut-backed Chickadee by Sarah Chan

Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvbirdalliance.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.