Pearson-Arastradero Preserve (Fall/Winter)
by Luis Villablanca
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is an open space preserve in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The preserve is located in Palo Alto and is a great place to go birding if you live in Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, or San Mateo. The park features a range of habitats from grasslands to oak woodlands, and a small lake, all of which are home to a wide variety of birds throughout the year.
Trip Covers: October - March
Key Birds: White-tailed Kite, Acorn Woodpecker, California Thrasher
How to Bird
The park has many trails covering close to 10 miles, but we will focus on the area near the parking lot, which is where you can find most of the bird species found in this preserve.
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve. Photo by Luis Villablanca.
Route (1.5 miles): We will start at the parking lot and head towards the De Anza Trail (Juan Bautista de Anza Trail on the maps), which is located on the other side of Arastradero Road. Before leaving the parking lot, you may be able to see some of our local resident birds, like California Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, and Western Bluebird, and wintering visitors like White-crowned Sparrow and Golden-crowned Sparrow.
View from De Anza Trail, near the trailhead. Photo by Luis Villablanca.
Bewick’s Wren, Juan Bautista de Anza Trail. Photo by Luis Villablanca
As you cross the road (#1 on interactive map) and start walking along the De Anza Trail, you will enter a chaparral area which may host more sparrows, as well as Black Phoebe, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Wrentit, California Scrub-Jay, California Thrasher, Bushtit, and Bewick’s Wren.
California Scrub-Jay, Wild Rye Trail. Photo by Luis Villablanca
After 0.1 miles, turn left and take the Wild Rye Trail (#2 on map) to the Paseo del Roble Trail. Turn right onto the Paseo del Roble Trail (#3 on map) and continue to Arastradero Lake. Along this trail the habitat switches between oak woodland and chaparral. Pay attention in the oaks for Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Oak Titmouse, Hutton’s Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Hermit Thrush, among others.
Acorn Woodpecker on granary tree, Wild Rye Trail. Photo by Luis Villablanca
Acorn Woodpecker inserting acorn. Video by Steve Zamek
When you reach the Arastradero Lake area, look for a bench located by the Juan Bautista de Anza trail. This bench has a nice view of the lake and its surroundings. From this point you may be able to see some ducks, waders, herons and egrets. Although what you can find changes regularly and depends on the water level of the lake, look for Black Phoebe, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great and Snowy Egret, and Killdeer. Even a Belted Kingfisher is seen here from time to time
Pay attention to the oaks around the lake along the De Anza Trail since they have an active colony of Acorn Woodpeckers, which are always fun to watch. This is a very gregarious species. Large groups work together to gather and store acorns in granary trees. These acorns are harvested and stored in the fall, to be consumed during winter. There used to be a large granary along the Wild Rye Trail, which had thousands of acorns stored in it. Unfortunately, the tree has collapsed over the year, but part of it still stands behind some bushes. You can also see a granary visited by the woodpeckers in the electricity poles located right next to Arastradero Lake.
Juvenile White-tailed Kite. Photo by Luis Villablanca.
After you finish exploring the lake surroundings, make a right turn onto the De Anza Trail (#4 on map) and head back to the parking lot. Watch for raptors along the way. Besides the regular White-tailed Kites, you can also find Red-Shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk and American Kestrel.
Ready for More? If you want to explore more around the preserve, I recommend the following 1.5 mile extension. After exploring Arastradero Lake, make a left at the De Anza trail (#4 on map), then keep going on the trail, make a left at the Ohlone Trail (#5 on map), another left at the Acorn Trail (#6), and then left at the Meadowlark Trail (#7). Continue along the Meadowlark trail until you connect again with the De Anza trail, make a left (#8) and continue until you reach the parking lot. These trails cover more of the same habitats, with similar species as the first route, but it would give you more chances of spotting more birds.
Also, look forward to springtime, when beautiful birds like Lazuli Bunting, Ash-throated Flycatcher and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher return from the tropics to make this park their home.
Interactive Map
Directions: From I-280 take the Page Mill Rd exit. Go west for 0.5 miles and follow signs for Arastradero Rd. Turn right onto Arastradero Rd. The parking lot is on the right in 0.3 miles. Latitude/Longitude: 37.387182, -122.174742.
Parking: Parking lot can fill up early, especially on weekends. Be sure to arrive early. Additional parking is available along Arastradero Rd (shown on interactive map).
Fees: None
Park Hours: Open every day of the year from 8:00 a.m. until a specific time near sunset.
Facilities: ADA accessible bathrooms, water fountains.
Public Transportation: Park and Ride (1/2 mile from park entrance) at the intersection of I-280 and Page Mill Rd
Trip Mileage: 1.5 miles with a 1.5 mile extension
Trail Conditions: The trails are easy in general, without much change in elevation. Be aware that the Wild Rye Trail is closed during the winter after a rain to prevent erosion of the terrain, which may complicate the visit to this park during that time.
Accessibility: For those with mobility issues, you can still enjoy this park but taking the short walk (about ¾ mile) to Arastradero Lake. There are a few 1” to 5” steps on the way. Also, there are two dirt ramps that are somewhat steep and can be challenging depending upon your wheels. You may need assistance to negotiate this trail.
Bikes: This is a great trip to do by bike.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on 6-ft leash
More Information
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve Trail Map
Pearson-Arastradero Website
eBird hotspot: Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
All About Birds: Acorn Woodpeckers
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, birding identification resources, and more.
Read “What to Look for Now” by SCVAS Executive Director Matthew Dodder.
Banner Photo Credit: Hermit Thrush by Luis Villablanca
Last Reviewed: 09/11/2022
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