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Belted Kingfisher by John Scharpen

Los Capitancillos Ponds at Meridian Avenue (San Jose)

The Los Capitancillos percolation ponds, located between the Cambrian and Almaden Valley areas of San Jose, are a great birding location for a variety of birds. We’ll spend the morning scanning the ponds for newly arriving ducks and some late migratory birds - Vaux's Swifts gathering insects over the ponds and Western Tanagers come to mind. There may also be first of season sightings of White and Golden-crowned Sparrows and we'll be on the lookout for Scaly-breasted Munia and Wood Duck.

Trip Difficulty: 2 + miles with option to bail mid-way. Gravel and packed-dirt trails, muddy or possibly muddy after rain, little or no elevation gain, little to no shade

Leaders: Sheila Raymond (408) 887-4854, Andy Melnick (650) 823-4117, Liz Frith (408) 505-2867

Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly Ages 10 and up, Wheelchair Accessible

Meet: Guadalupe Creek Trail at Meridian Avenue.

Directions: From CA-85 in San Jose, exit Camden Ave. Drive south on Camden Ave for 0.7 miles. Turn left onto Kooser Ave, drive for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Meridian Ave. Drive for 0.6 miles. The trail entrance will be on your left between Oslo Ln and Coleman Rd. Park on the neighborhood streets north of the trail, e.g., Oslo Ln -- please be respectful of the locals. Latitude/Longitude: 37.238543, -121.886929.

Facilities: cell phone service, no bathrooms or drinking water

Parking Type and Fees: street parking

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