Coyote Creek Trail at the Silver Creek Staging Area (Winter)

by Eve Meier

This winter take a leisurely stroll along the paved and flat Coyote Creek Trail in San José. Be on the lookout for Wood Duck in the creek, Hermit Thrush in the understory, and Townsend’s Warbler in the treetops.

Key Birds: Wood Duck, Townsend’s Warbler

Trip Covers: November - February

How to Bird

On this trip you will start at the Silver Creek Staging Area of the Coyote Creek Trail and walk north alongside Coyote Creek, cross over the creek via the pedestrian bridge, then walk south along the opposite side of the creek using the Odette Morrow Trail to return to your car. The total round-trip distance is 1.5 miles.

Coyote Creek Trail.  Photo by Eve Meier — Coyote Creek Trail. Photo by Eve Meier

Begin your trip at the Silver Creek Staging Area parking lot to access the paved multi-use trail and walk north, keeping the creek on your left. As you walk along the trail underneath a canopy of oaks, watch and listen for oak woodland resident species such as California Scrub-Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Oak Titmouse, and Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Townsend’s Warbler will also be seen this time of year. The Townsend’s Warblers have a soft metallic tink call that is easy to pick out from the more plentiful Yellow-rumped Warbler calls.

Townsend’s Warbler by Hita Bambhania-Modha

To your left, peer down into the riparian area of the creek for Song Sparrow, Belted Kingfisher and the very shy Wood Duck. Wood Ducks camouflage well despite (or because of) their striking plumage. These birds nest in tree cavities, have an unusual whistle, and love quiet waters with thick cover. I usually find them on the edges of the creek or sitting on logs that hang over the water. These birds often swim away when they notice someone is watching them so move slowly and quietly when peeking into the creek.

In about 0.75 miles, you will reach a pedestrian bridge and a sign pointing to Odette Morrow Trail. Make a left to cross over the bridge, but pause on the bridge and look in the creek for Wood Duck. Once over the bridge, pause once again to scan the grassy playground area of Shady Oaks Park for Western Bluebirds. This park also has good spots to peer into the creek for those tricky Wood Ducks.

The abandoned orchard along the Odette Morrow Trail

Now, continue on this route by going south along the Odette Morrow Trail so that the creek is on your left and an abandoned orchard is on your right. This orchard is an excellent place to watch for Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. It’s also good for woodpeckers such as Northern Flicker, Acorn Woodpeckers and Nuttall’s Woodpecker. Sparrows are more plentiful on this side of the creek as well. Watch for Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows as well as California and Spotted Towhees.

In about ½ mile, you will see the intersection of Silver Creek Valley Rd and Coyote Rd. At this point you will need to leave the paved Odette Morrow Trail and walk a short distance over a gravel trail to access the sidewalk. Once on the sidewalk, make a left to continue along the sidewalk of the busy Silver Creek Valley Rd. You will pass over the bridge (watch for White-throated Swift) after which the parking lot from where you started will be on your left.

Note about Coyote Creek Trail: This portion of the Coyote Creek Trail is part of Coyote Creek Parkway, one of the many parks operated by Santa Clara County Parks. The trail meanders along Coyote Creek for 15 miles starting at Anderson Lake County Park in Morgan Hill and ending at Hellyer County Park in San Jose. If you do not cross the pedestrian bridge mentioned in this guide, you would continue along the Coyote Creek Trail and reach Hellyer County Park in 2-miles.

Ready for More?

After completing this trip, consider driving a few miles north to Hellyer County Park and having lunch at Cottonwood Lake. The lake will be busy with geese, gulls, and ducks. There are plenty of picnic tables available and lots of benches around the circumference of the lake.

Interactive Map

Directions: From US-101 in San Jose, exit Blossom Hill Rd. Travel east towards the hills. Blossom Hill Rd becomes Silver Creek Valley Rd. In 0.2 miles, make a U-turn at Piercy Rd, then make an immediate right into the parking lot for the Coyote Creek Parkway Silver Creek Staging Area. Latitude/Longitude: 37.257588, -121.790527

Parking: Gravel parking lot

Fees: None

Public Transportation: VTA 42 stops on Silver Creek Valley Road, walk 0.1 miles to park entrance

Park Hours: The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset.

Facilities: Wheelchair accessible bathroom and drinking fountain

Trip Mileage: 1.5 miles round trip

Trail Conditions: Paved, flat trails until the end of the route in which there’s a very short gravel trail leading to the sidewalk. The Coyote Creek Trail is shady, the Odette Morrow Trail has little shade.

Accessibility: This trip is wheelchair accessible except at the end of the route in which there is a short gravel trail leading to the sidewalk. There is an ADA compliant parking spot and an ADA compliant bathroom at the start of this trip.

Bikes: Bikes are allowed but not recommended for this trip.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on 6-ft leash.

More Information:

Coyote Creek Trail Map
Coyote Creek Parkway Website
Shady Oaks Park and Odette Morrow Trail Map
eBird hotspot: Coyote Creek Parkway--Silver Creek Staging Area

More Resources

For more trips like this one, visit Self-Guided Field Trips.
Visit the SCVAS Birding Resources page for more information on where to bird, our birding community, bird identification resources and more.
Read “What to Look for Now” by SCVAS Executive Director Matthew Dodder.

Banner Photo Credit: Odette Morrow Trail by Eve Meier

Last Updated: 02/26/2023

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