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William Street Park by Ray Trent

Field Trip: Early Start at William Street and Selma Olinder Neighborhood Parks (San Jose)

Many people don't go birding midweek in the morning because they don't have time for driving and long walks before work. Small neighborhood parks are the perfect solution. In addition, San Jose's 200 small neighborhood parks don't get a lot of attention on eBird, but many of them are hidden birding gems. My neighborhood has 2 parks, William Street and Selma Olinder, that sandwich a small section of Coyote Creek and are home to ~30 species throughout the year. If we're lucky, the Merlin and Flickers that winter there may have arrived.

Trip Type: Standard

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

Capacity: 12

Price: Free

Trip Difficulty: 1.25 miles, gravel trails, packed-dirt trails, lawns (potentially wet), little or no elevation gain, shady

Tags: Loaner Binoculars Available, Beginner Friendly, 1 mile or shorter, 2 hours or less, No elevation gain

Meet: The corner of William St. and South 16th St.

Directions: Head South on I-280 or I-680 and exit at 10th/11th St near downtown. Turn on 11th St. (it is one way, North) and go 3 blocks to William St. Turn right and go 5 short blocks to 16th St and turn right. There is street parking. Latitude/Longitude: 37.335828, -121.869515

Facilities: cell phone service

Parking Type and Fees: street parking

Leaders: Ray Trent (408) 204-8721

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