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California Quails by Chris Johnson

Rancho Cañada de Oro

Tucked in the foothills of Santa Cruz Mountains, Rancho Cañada del Oro is an open space preserve that has miles of trails through chaparral and oak woodland. We'll bird along just a small portion of these trails, meandering with the Llagas and Baldy Ryan Canyon Creeks. We'll look and listen for the birds of summer such as Cassin's Vireo, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Wren, Ash Throated Flycatcher and Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. With lick, we may get some early Fall migrants.

Note that this trip will meet in the overflow parking lot, not the main parking lot.

Trip Difficulty: 2 miles, paved, gravel and dirt trails, little or no elevation gain, some shade

Other Trip Notes: Be prepared for warm/hot weather so dress accordingly and bring water

Leaders: Craige Edgerton (408) 460-1102 and Michael Hawk (408) 475-4295

Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly All Ages, Wheelchair Accessible

Meet: Overflow Parking lot--not the first, main parking lot parking lot

Directions: From US-101, exit Bailey Ave. Continue west on Bailey Ave for 3 miles. Turn left onto McKean Rd, continue for 2.5 miles, then turn right onto Casa Loma Rd. The preserve is located at the end of Casa Loma Rd. Do not park in the main (first) parking lot. Use the overflow parking lot, 1/4 mile past the main lot. Latitude/Longitude: 37.144854, -121.779080

Parking Type and Fees: dirt parking lot

Facilities: ADA accessible pit toilet, cell coverage may be intermittent or non-existent

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