McClellan Groundwater Recharge Ponds (Winter):
Mergansers! Buffleheads! Ring-necked Ducks!
by Diane McCoy
The McClellan Groundwater Recharge Ponds (also known as Bubb Road Percolation Pond) in Cupertino is a treasure of a spot in the winter months, full of migrating winter ducks that especially prefer ponds. Think Mergansers! Buffleheads! Ring-necked Ducks! But other ‘flitt-y’ treats can be spotted here as well, including Hermit Thrush, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Look up and you may spot a Red-tailed Hawk surveying its possibilities, and carefully scan vegetation for Black-crowned Night-Herons and Snowy Egrets.
Trip Covers: November - March
Key Birds: Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Cedar Waxwing, Golden-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow (uncommon), Yellow-rumped Warbler
How To Bird
With an island in the center, this oval-shaped pond measures about 0.4 miles around, so it’s easily birded in an hour, or longer if you prefer to linger at certain parts. The pond is surrounded by a 4-foot tall chain-link fence that separates the trail from the pond itself. There are many places that open up along the fence so there are plenty of opportunities for great spotting and taking photos. The trails are wide so social distancing is easy. It is popular with families and leashed dogs. Banked on one side by a neighborhood and the other by railroad tracks and a tutoring center, it has a feel of being out in nature right there in the ‘burbs’.
McClellan Groundwater Recharge Pond by Diane McCoy
You enter the pond path right off of Bubb Road and can go either to your right or left and circle around. The pond is landscaped with oaks, olive trees, maples, redwoods, and manzanitas. There are 5 benches, most on the Bubb Road side of the pond and several trash receptacles. The mostly dirt-packed path and entrance make it wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Migratory ducks and year-round Mallards and American Coots swim all around the pond. Since you’ll have such close proximity to spotting the ducks you can pair up the males with the females, noting differences and similarities between the males’ and females’ feathers and markings as well as comparing species with species. Male Hooded and Common Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks and Buffleheads are always a treat to see closely, but the females of each species are quite special too in their feathers and markings. Notice how even in such a small area, the different species still tend to group together while floating and diving in the pond. Occasionally some of the ducks, especially the Mallards, may rest on the low, sunny sides of the island.
Hooded Merganser Pair by Diane McCoy
Common Mergansers by Diane McCoy
You may also spot a pair or two of Canada Geese in the pond, as well as some gulls. Since you will be able to see the gulls up close, now is a good time to practice gull identification!
As you walk around the pond, stop and stand still. Soon you’ll be able to hear and see some of the birds in the surrounding bushes and trees. Flitting Bushtits and Ruby-crowned Kinglets dart continuously through the brush. Anna’s Hummingbirds are also darting around, usually flying, then re-landing on the same bare twig that juts out from a bush or tree.
Anna’s Hummingbird by Diane McCoy
When it’s very early in the day, especially during the week when there are fewer people, cautious Golden-crowned Sparrows may be pecking on the ground just a little further up your path. As you approach, they’ll fly and perhaps perch on the pond’s low fence, allowing a view of them. White-throated Sparrow (uncommon) and even a Hermit Thrush or two have been spotted this way. Yellow-rumped Warblers like the twiggy-leafed-branches of some of the trees close to the fence and are brave enough to perch a while longer for you to get a good look.
Yellow-rumped Warbler by Diane McCoy
Pause and look up at the tops of the tall trees, especially the evergreens and redwoods, to spot a hawk perching chest to sun. Loud crows circling around may also signal a raptor nearby.
As you circle the pond, scan the vegetation on the island. Black-crowned Night-Herons like to roost in there! And Snowy Egrets like to walk the island’s edge, scanning the shallow waters. It will be fun to bird this pond in the coming seasons to see what new feathered residents appear!
Ready for more?
There is a second smaller pond in the northeast corner of the McClellan/Bubb intersection which can be accessed via the crosswalk. It's currently dry but it sometimes has water that attracts egrets and other interesting birds.
The McClellan Groundwater Recharge Ponds are close to McClellan Ranch (0.8 miles) and Blackberry Farm (1.1 miles) to make a longer day of Cupertino Birding! Both places are down the street, heading west on McClellan Road, just past Monte Vista High School. While at McClellan, try our fall and winter self-guided trip to McClellan Ranch.
Interactive Map
Directions: From Stevens Creek Blvd in Cupertino travel south on Bubb Road for 0.7 miles, crossing over McClellan Road. The pond will be on your left. Presidio Drive for parking will be on your right. Latitude/Longitude: 37.313339, -122.050486. The pond is next to 10650 Bubb Road, Cupertino. To get directions on Google Maps use McClellan Groundwater Recharge Ponds.
Parking: Street parking. You cannot park on Bubb Road, but Presidio Drive is available for parking except on the 2nd and 4th Mondays, 9 to 10:30 am due to street sweeping.
Fees: None
Public Transportation: None nearby
Trail Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Facilities: No restrooms, 5 benches, garbage receptacles, cell service
Trip Mileage: The pond oval is about 0.4 miles in length all the way around.
Trail Conditions: The path is a wide, mostly dirt-packed trail.
Accessibility: The trip is wheelchair and stroller accessible, both parking and on the pond path. There are 5 benches at the pond.
Bikes: There are bike lanes on the neighborhood streets in this area and most of Cupertino. It would be unnecessary to bike the pond; it is too small and would not be considerate of others. This location does not have bike racks but you could lock your bike to a fence or walk your bike as you bird.
Dogs: Dogs allowed on 6 ft leashes.
More information:
All About Birds: Hooded Merganser and Common Merganser
eBird hotspot: McClellan Groundwater Recharge Ponds (Bubb Rd. percolation ponds)
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: Hooded Merganser by Tom Grey
Last Updated: 06/01/2023
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