Back to All Events

Field Trip: Beginner Bird Walk at McClellan Ranch (Cupertino)

  • 37.313072, -122.063695 (map)

Please take a moment to read our field trip policies here.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee by Joanna Koziara

Field Trip: Beginner Bird Walk at McClellan Ranch (Cupertino)

This event will start outside the SCVBA 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 Nuttall’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. Afterwards, we’ll email you a list of the bird species observed and a guide to additional birding resources.

Trip Type: Beginner-focused

Age Limit: All Ages; Young birders, ages 18 and under, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Capacity: 15

Price: Free

Trip Difficulty: less than 1 mile, paved trails, little or no elevation gain, some shade

Other Trip Notes: bring binoculars, optional: download Merlin Bird ID to your smartphone (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/)

Driving/Caravaning Requirements: If the main lot is full, try the auxiliary lot

Tags: Beginner Friendly, 1 mile or shorter, No elevation gain

Meet: In front of 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, drinking water, cell phone service

Parking Type and Fees: paved parking lot, ADA compliant spots

Additional Languages: English will be the primary language of this field trip, but other language spoken by our trip leader include Mandarin.

Leaders: Robin Chen (408) 409-4373

Banner Photo: Chestnut-backed Chickadee by Joanna Koziara

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