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Allen's Hummingbird by Vivek Khandoze
Field Trip: Spring Birding at Ed Levin Spring Valley Area (Milpitas)
The trip will take a leisurely loop around the Spring Valley Pond and the adjacent lawn areas, enjoy the diverse habitats where we will likely find 50+ species during our 2.5-hour walk. We'll check the trees for Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds, Bullock's and Hooded Orioles, and hopefully Lawrence's Goldfinches. We'll look out for Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets hunting on the pond. All the while we'll have to keep an eye to the sky for this location's abundant raptors.
Optional: pack your own lunch/snack and we'll picnic together afterwards.
Trip Difficulty: 2.5 miles, paved trails, packed-dirt trails, some hills (less than 300 ft elevation gain)
Other Trip Notes:
1. The area has limited to no cell phone service. If you need direction for navigation download an offline map for the area or save your planned trip home.
2. The trip ends at 11 am but I will be spending time after the trip looking for migrating hummingbirds like the Calliope Hummingbird if anyone wants to join me. Please join our hummingbird themed Birdathon team at Ed Levin the following Sunday!
Leaders: Connor Christensen (714) 616-4866 and Liz Frith (408) 505-2867
Beginner Friendly
Meet: Spring Valley Parking Area
Directions: From I-680 in Milpitas, exit E Calaveras Blvd and go east for about 2.5 miles. OR, from Mountain View or Palo Alto, take 101 south to 237 east, which turns into Calaveras. The Spring Valley Parking Area will be on your right, across from the fire station. At the entrance kiosk, turn left and continue to the last parking lot across from the horse corral. Latitude/Longitude: 37.445750, -121.847488
Facilities: bathroom, cell coverage may be intermittent or non-existent
Parking Type and Fees: paved parking lot, parking fees (use Santa Clara County Park annual pass, otherwise it is $6.00 per car, credit card only)
Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvbirdalliance.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.