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Acorn Woodpecker by Julie MacKinnon

Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve

This Palo Alto preserve is operated by Stanford University as a biological research facility and is not open to the public except on docent-led tours. Year-round birding is excellent due to the great variety of habitats including Searsville Lake, freshwater marsh, riparian corridor, oak savanna, mixed oak woodland, chaparral, grasslands, and redwoods. We’ll check out the historic and now-controversial Searsville Dam and then search the varied habitats for woodpeckers, waterfowl, and songbirds.

Trip Difficulty: 3 miles, dirt trails, some elevation gain (less than 300 ft elevation gain), little to no shade

Other Trip Notes: Wear closed-toe shoes

Leaders: Diane Hart (650) 766-4252, Peter Hart (650) 888-7765 and Dan Bloch (650) 862-2178

Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly Ages 14 and up

Meet: preserve entrance at locked gate

Directions: From I-280 in Palo Alto, exit Sand Hill Rd west, towards the foothills. Continue on Sand Hill Rd for 2 miles. The preserve entrance gate will be on your left, 100 yards before Portola Rd. We will meet at the preserve at 8:00AM and enter through the locked gate as a group. Plan to be on time as late arrivals may be locked out. Latitude/Longitude: 37.403290, -122.244664

Facilities: bathroom, cell phone service (may be spotty at times)

Parking Type and Fees: dirt parking lot, no fees

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