Martial Cottle County Park (Winter):
The Valley of the Heart’s Delight
by Ann Verdi
Enjoy this vintage farm in the middle of suburban sprawl in South San Jose, a throw-back to the days when Santa Clara Valley was known as “The Valley of the Heart’s Delight” long before it became known as “Silicon Valley”.
Trip Covers: November - March
Key Birds: Raptors, Say’s Phoebe, American Pipit, American Goldfinch, Western Meadowlark
One of the many paved walkways through the green space. Western Bluebirds and American Goldfinches love to perch in these trees. Photo by Eve Meier.
How to Bird
The Martial Cottle Farm, a 387-acre working farm in the middle of suburban sprawl in South San Jose, is a unique place to visit and to bird. The farm was held by one family from 1864 to 2014 when the last living heir, Walter Cottle Lester, passed away; however, during his lifetime he withstood considerable pressure from urban developers and transferred the acreage to the state and county for development of a park to educate the public about the agricultural heritage of Santa Clara County. This county park is still a working farm now partnering with Jacob Farms specializing in sustainable organic farming practices.
The entire park is on flat level ground with wide open space mainly devoted to farm land, so summer months can be hot. The few older trees here are mostly large valley oaks, although there is an orchard near the entry and other fruit trees near the Visitor Center. Besides the farmland, there is also a spacious green area near the Visitor Center, a small children’s play yard, picnic tables, parking, and clean restrooms. Benches are located throughout the park and along the perimeter trail. The park is not crowded and is enjoyable for families with small children and for seniors.
Several Valley Oaks can be found in this park. They are often full of European Starlings and sometimes a raptor is perched on top. Photo by Eve Meier
The park has 3+ miles of paved trails including the entire perimeter trail (the Martial Cottle Trail) and a cross trail (the Valley Oak Trail) which crosses through the center of the park where a Barn Owl box is located. The longer perimeter trail is popular for walking, running, bicycling, dog walking on leashes, and is also wheelchair accessible. Part of the perimeter trail crosses Canoas Creek.
While this park is not noted for a great variety of birds, and at times it may seem that all you see are starlings, crows, pigeons and Mourning Doves, but with patient looking some special birds can be found here which are unique to this farmland. Notable places to look are listed below.
With all the open space, look up for raptors such as hawks, accipiters, falcons, and eagles. Besides the more common Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel, also keep your eyes open for Golden and Bald Eagle or even Osprey and White-tailed Kites. Crows are common here but also watch for Common Raven.
At the green area near the playground and the visitor center, look for smaller birds such as Lesser and American Goldfinch, Western Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Robin, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Northern Flicker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and other small birds.
American Goldfinch by Jim Dehnert
Along the Martial Cottle Perimeter Trail bordering the farmlands, you may have to look harder, but this is where you may find some of the special birds of this park including American Pipits among the rows of culinary herbs, sparrows such as Song, Savannah, Lincoln’s, White-throated (uncommon) and Vesper (rare), and Say’s Phoebe, Western Meadowlark, Killdeer, White-throated Swift, swallows and occasionally Western Kingbird during the summer.
Farmer on tractor readying the field for fresh plantings. Photo by Eve Meier
American Pipits can be hard to see because they are small and their coloring is so cryptic. I've most often seen groups of them foraging in newly planted fields. Since the culinary herbs are low-growing plants, they can more easily be seen foraging and creeping around in the furrows between the rows. Sometimes they all spring up together from a field, and then I see that there are more than I had originally thought. If you’re lucky, occasionally there are times when good numbers of pipits (50-60) can be seen right out in the open in the wide grassy green area.
American Pipit: these birds can be hard to see because they are small and their coloring is so cryptic. Photo by Chuq Von Rospach.
So, enjoy your visit to this vintage farm, a throw-back to the days when Santa Clara Valley was known as “The Valley of the Heart’s Delight” long before it became known as “Silicon Valley”.
Ready for More? On your way home, stop by Jacob Farms Fruit Stand, if they are open, to pick up some local produce. Or take a peek at the Martial Cottle Park Demonstration Garden and see what’s going on at Our City Forest.
Interactive Map
Directions: Martial Cottle Park is located at 5283 Snell Ave San Jose, CA 95136. From Highway 85 South, take the Blossom Hill Rd exit and turn left on Blossom Hill Rd. Travel approximately 0.5 miles and turn left onto Snell Ave. Travel approximately 0.6 miles and turn left into the park. Latitude/Longitude: 37.263077, -121.833785
Parking: Paved and gravel parking lots available in the park
Fees: Day-use parking fees at Snell Ave entrance. See the park website for more information. Additional free on-street parking is available along Chynoweth Ave.
Public Transportation: VTA bus route 66 runs along Snell Ave
Park Hours: Year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset
Facilities: Wheelchair accessible bathrooms, drinking fountains and plenty of picnic tables
Trip Mileage: Variable, this park has a variety of areas to explore
Trail Conditions: Flat, paved multi-use trails
Accessibility: This park is very accessible with paved flat trails, ADA compliant bathrooms, benches and picnic areas
Bikes: This is a great trip to do by bike.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on 6-ft leash
More Information:
Martial Cottle Trail Map
Martial Cottle Park Website
eBird hotspot: Martial Cottle Park
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: Martial Cottle Park by Eve Meier
Last Updated: 05/22/2022
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