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Red-tailed Hawk by Peter Hart

Field Trip: Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve Searsville Lake Tour

The Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (JRBP) is operated by Stanford University as a field station for research and teaching and is not open to the public except on docent-led tours. Year-round birding is rewarding due to the variety of habitats including Searsville Lake, a riparian corridor, mixed woodlands, chaparral, and grasslands. We’ll check out the historic and often controversial Searsville Dam and search the varied habitats for woodpeckers, waterfowl, and songbirds.

Trip Type: Standard

Age Limit: Ages 14+ (children 13 years and younger are not allowed on the preserve by Stanford policy), Young birders, ages 18 and under, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Capacity: 10

Price: $50

Trip Difficulty: 2 miles, paved trails, packed-dirt trails, little or no elevation gain, mixed sun and shade

Tags: Beginner Friendly

Meet: JRBP Main Gate, 4001 Sandhill Rd. Woodside. Park at the apron in front of the locked gate. We will enter the preserve in a group. Be on time as late comers will not be able to enter the preserve.

Directions: From US-280 exit on Sand Hill Road West. Continue west until you see a wide driveway on the left leading to a locked gate. Park in the driveway and wait there until we enter as a group. If you reach the Sand Hill intersection with Portola Road, you have gone too far. Latitude/Longitude: 37.403290, -122.244664

Facilities: bathroom, drinking water, limited cell phone service

Parking Type and Fees: dirt parking lot, No fees

Leaders: Diane Hart (650) 766-4252, Peter Hart (650) 888-7765

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