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Field Trip: Almaden Lake (San Jose)

  • 37.2389964, -121.8698891 (map)

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Great Blue Heron by Jennifer Oliver

Almaden Lake (San Jose)

San Jose’s Almaden Lake Park is a neighborhood park, located in Almaden Valley. This park is fun year-round, but early spring is particularly exciting for birding this park, because the heron nests on the bird sanctuary island put on quite a show! On the lake, one can also see ducks and geese, pied-billed grebes, mergansers, coots, and cormorants. Many smaller birds are attracted to the riparian habitats of Los Alamitos Creek and the Guadalupe River that converge at this location. Look for the bluebird nest boxes!

We’ll begin our outing by observing the heron activity on the small island where four distinct types of herons nest every spring season. After that, we’ll explore a very small portion of the trail that circumnavigates the lake, allowing us to enjoy the early spring activity of the other bird species that call Almaden Lake home.

Trip Difficulty: 1.5 miles, paved trails, packed-dirt trails, lawns (potentially wet), little or no elevation gain, some shade

Other Trip Notes: Bring binoculars

Leaders: Melissa Johnson (408) 406-2665 and Linda Sullivan (408) 540-8420

Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly Ages 10 and up, 1 mile or shorter

Meet: near blue bathrooms in the Winfield Blvd parking lot

Directions: From CA-85 in San Jose, exit Almaden Expy. Drive south for 0.8 miles, turn left onto Coleman Rd, then make the first right onto Winfield Blvd. Park entrance is on your right in less than ½ mile. Latitude/Longitude: 37.2389964, -121.8698891

Facilities: ADA accessible bathroom, drinking water, cell phone service

Parking Type and Fees: parking fee for the paved parking lot (credit card only) or free street parking

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

Earlier Event: April 13
Birdathon: Cedar Nature
Later Event: April 16
Birdathon: Run for the Hills!