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Field Trip: Beginning Birding at Rancho San Antonio

  • 37.332787, -122.087385 (map)

Before signing up for this trip, please take a moment to read our trip policies and view our liability waiver.

Acorn Woodpeckers by Sarah Chan

Beginning Birding at Rancho San Antonio

Join us for an easy, beginner-friendly walk through lower trails of Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino. We will look and listen for year-round resident birds including Acorn Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Spotted Towhees, as well as newly-returned winter residents such as White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows. The meadows are favorite hunting ground for raptors like Red-shouldered Hawks and White-tailed Kites, so we'll keep our eyes open for those too. This trip is geared towards beginning birders, but everyone is welcome!

Trip Difficulty: approximately 1.5 miles; paved and dirt trails, some shade, our birding route has minimal elevation gain, but you may need to park in one of the upper lots, which is a short but moderately inclined walk to/from our meeting place

Other Trip Notes: Please bring binoculars

Leaders: Susan Tenney (408) 802-6184 and Diane McCoy (650) 714-3769

Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly Ages 10 and up, Stroller Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible

Meet: Parking Lot 6, by the rest rooms

Directions: From Foothill Expressway in Cupertino, turn onto Cristo Rey Drive; continue 0.8 miles to the roundabout; take the second exit to stay on Cristo Rey Drive; continue 0.2 miles. Turn left into Rancho San Antonio and at the intersection, turn right and follow the road all the way down to Parking Lot 6. (37.332787, -122.087385)

Note: In case Lot 6 is full, park in one of the upper lots (2, 3, or 4) that you will have passed on your way in, and walk down the paved path leading from Lot 4 down to Lot 6 (about a 3-minute walk).

Facilities: ADA accessible bathroom, cell phone service

Parking Type and Fees: paved parking lot

Banner Photo: Acorn Woodpecker Sarah Chan

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