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Green Heron by Raechel Lee

Field Trip: Penitencia Percolation Ponds Walk (San Jose)

The Dr. Robert Gross Percolation Ponds at Penitencia Reach 2 in northeast San Jose are a great place to find newly arrived ducks like Ring-necked and Ruddy, Mergansers, and buffleheads. Other migrants we might catch include warblers, hermit thrushes, vireos, kinglets, sapsuckers and other feathered friends. We may also get to see some lingering visitors such as Black-headed Grosbeaks and Western Flycatchers.

Trip Type: Standard

Age Limit: Ages 10+; Young birders, ages 18 and under, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian,

Capacity: 12

Price: Free

Trip Difficulty: About 1 mile and we will have an easy pace, gravel trails, muddy or possibly muddy after rain, little or no elevation gain, little to no shade

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

Meet: Noble Ave. trail entrance near Grossmont Dr.

Directions: From I-680 in San Jose, take the Berryessa Rd exit east. Continue on Berryessa Rd for 1.3 mi, turn right onto Piedmont Rd, continue for 0.3 mi, turn left at the light onto Noble Ave. The destination will be on the right in 0.3 mi. Park on dirt strip next to chain-link fence near the Veteran's Support House but NOT in their lot please. Latitude/Longitude: 37.393954, -121.838461

Facilities: No bathrooms. Nearest bathrooms can be found at the Penitencia Creek Park Playground next to the Berryessa Community Center (opens at 8 am) and at the Berryessa Library (opens at 10 am)

Parking Type and Fees: dirt parking lot

Leaders: Dori Faust (408) 489-9178 and Melanie Barnett 

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