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. This trip is limited to 12 participants. If the trip is full, call the trip leader to be added to the waiting list.

Trip Difficulty: 2 miles, dirt trails, some hills

Meet: preserve entrance at locked gate

Diane Hart, (650) 766-4252

Family Friendly, kids ages 14+

Google Plus Code: "CQ34+84 Woodside, California" (paste code, city, and state into Google maps)

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 8:00 AM and enter through the locked gate as a group. Plan to be on time as late arrivals may be locked out.   

Facilities: bathrooms

Parking Fees: no

This trip is organized by the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (scvas.org).  Please read our trip policies.  Questions? Contact the trip leader or email scvasfieldtrips@gmail.com.