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Lesser Goldfinch & Pine Siskin by John Richardson

McClellan Ranch Preserve for Beginners

This event will start outside the SCVAS Nature Shop in Cupertino where we will focus on the birds that visit our feeders such as Lesser Goldfinch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Oak Titmouse and Nuttall’s Woodpecker. We will also show you how to use Merlin Bird ID, a free bird identification app for iPhones and Android phones that is helpful for new birders. Then we will take a short stroll together along the paved Stevens Creek Trail, looking for and identifying birds. Afterwards, we’ll email you a list of the bird species observed and a guide to additional birding resources.

Trip Difficulty: 1 mile, flat trail

Other Trip Notes: download Merlin Bird ID to your smartphone (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) (optional) and bring binoculars

Leaders: Mary Ann Robertson (650) 521-3910 and Bilal Al-Shahwany (408) 482-0396

Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly All Ages, Wheelchair Accessible

Meet: outside the SCVAS Nature Shop

Directions: From I-280 in Cupertino, exit Foothill Expy. Travel south onto Foothill Blvd for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto McClellan Rd and continue for 0.5 miles. Turn left into the preserve parking lot. The nature shop is located at the preserve entrance. Address: 22221 McClellan Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014. Latitude/Longitude: 37.313072, -122.063695

Facilities: ADA compliant bathroom, drinking water

Parking Type and Fees: no fees, 2 ADA compliant parking spots in the main parking lot and 2 more in the overflow parking lot

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