Penitencia Creek Trail (Fall/Winter):
Percolation Ponds and Creekside Birding
by Chris Johnson
A small, uncrowded place in East San Jose, jam-packed with waterfowl in the winter and offering great photo opportunities of ducks, herons, and shorebirds. The trails are made from gravel and offer easy, level walking, and there is plenty of sun during the colder months. The mix of creekside and pond habitat can result in a large number of species observed, especially in the winter and when water levels are favorable.
Trip Covers: October - February
Key Birds: American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Wilson’s Snipe, Green Heron, Merlin, Steller's Jay, Oak Titmouse, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Townsend’s Warbler
How to Bird
This trip covers the percolation ponds and the Penitencia Creek Trail from Noble Avenue to Piedmont Road and from Noble Avenue to Poppy Lane and involves 2-3 miles of easy walking trails.
From Noble Avenue, one may head east or west along the Penitencia Creek Trail. Heading west (accessed at #1 on the interactive map) will take one to the percolation ponds and creekside habitat stretching east to Piedmont Road. There are three primary ponds stretching from east to west that host a variety of waterfowl in winter. Walking east will take one into sycamore-dominated creekside habitat and to some areas with relatively new native plantings (#10 on the interactive map). Brown Creeper, Steller's Jay, and Acorn Woodpecker along with numerous other species may be found here.
Trail Entrance (westbound to Piedmont)
Large Eucalyptus Area near Trailhead
Begin by checking the large eucalyptus trees just west of Noble Avenue as this area tends to be very birdy in the early morning. This is the best area to find Townsend’s Warbler (listen for their short, high-pitched calls in winter). Continue walking west to the Percolation Ponds and head to the north side of the ponds by walking in a counterclockwise fashion around the first two larger ponds (Pond 2 & 3 on the interactive map). A bridge cuts between the third and fourth pond and returns one to the creekside trail (Bridge #1). Check the westernmost pond (Pond 4 on the interactive map) before heading west to the end of the trail at Piedmont Road (# 8 on the interactive map). Return along the creekside trail to Noble Avenue and explore the south side of the ponds, then head to the Poppy Lane section of the creekside trail which is accessed east of Noble (#10 on the interactive map).
Pond 2
Bridge #1 (between Pond 3 and 4)
Pond 4 (fully drained)
Pond 2 (#3 on the interactive map) will host Green Heron and Black-crowned Night-Heron though much depends on the water levels of the various ponds. From November through February, this pond may have many interesting duck species, including good numbers of Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Gadwall, Common Goldeneye and American Wigeon. Redhead was even found one year in one of the ponds, while Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal may also be possible.
American Wigeon by Treasa Hovorka
Wilson’s Snipe can also be found during winter months depending on the water levels of the ponds. Check along the pond edges, especially on the eastern edge of the middle pond (Pond 3 on the interactive map), or in areas where water levels are low. Least Sandpiper are also around in the fall and the potential for other shorebirds is very high (e.g. Spotted Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher). Belted Kingfisher may also make an appearance though they are not reliable due to the ponds being emptied regularly. American Pipit can be found along the trails around the ponds or heard in-flight giving their “pi-pit” call as they transit from other areas.
Spotted Sandpiper by Bec Osborne
Merlin like to hunt the area in winter and may be seen zipping by along the creek or over the ponds. Peregrine Falcon should also be on one’s radar as they are attracted to any areas with waterfowl, and the percolation ponds will be full of their favorite prey items. White-tailed Kite may be seen in the grassy areas on the north side of the ponds, but it is not a primary location for them due to the limited grassland habitat. Golden Eagle is also possible by looking to the eastern Diablo Hills and scanning the Turkey Vultures. Rarer birds of prey should also be looked for using this strategy (e.g. Ferruginous Hawk and Prairie Falcon).
Merlin by Brooke Miller
Along the creekside trail numerous species can be found, including Oak Titmouse, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Hermit Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch. The finches favor the sycamore pods during winter months and can be common some years at the end of the creekside trail near Piedmont Road (#8 on the interactive map). There are also houses with fruiting trees in their backyards that may attract frugivorous species such as Cedar Waxing or Western Tanager. Lincoln's Sparrow can be found giving its soft and buzzy “zeet” call in the weedy or brushy areas and both species of crowned sparrow will favor similar areas. Dark-eyed Junco is another common resident that favors non-native conifers and Fox Sparrow and Spotted Towhee may be around in the thicker underbrush. Fox Sparrow gives a loud, and sharp smack call while Spotted Towhee gives a nasal mew call.
Fox Sparrow by Chris Johnson
The creek will also host several species of woodpecker, including Hairy Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, and Acorn Woodpecker. A familiarity with the “peek” calls of Downy, Nuttall’s and Hairy Woodpecker is helpful for identifying them. Hairy’s call is squeaky like a dog toy, Downy’s call is soft and higher-pitched than other woodpecker calls, while Nuttall’s call is mid-ranged in pitch and sounds quite metallic.
Ready for More? Head to Penitencia Creek Park by crossing the road at Piedmont Road/North White Road (#9 on the interactive map). Cross at the streetlight on Piedmont Road as the trail does not run under the bridge. This neighborhood park features a small pond, large open grassy areas (check for pipits, geese, and grassland birds), and additional sections of the Penitencia Creek trail.
Interactive Map
Directions: From I-680 in San Jose take the McKee Road exit east. Go east for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Toyon Rd, go 0.9 miles, turn right onto Penitencia Creek Rd, then take the next left onto Noble Ave. Street parking. Latitude/Longitude: 37.393047, -121.833644
Parking: On-street parking is available on Noble Avenue north of the Penitencia Creek Road and Noble Avenue junction.
Fees: None
Public Transportation: None available
Trail Hours: None
Facilities: Restrooms available at Penitencia Creek Park off Berryessa Avenue. Latitude/Longitude: 37.392644, -121.848348
Trip Mileage: 2-3 miles round-trip
Trail Conditions: Gravel trails west of Noble Avenue. Mixed dirt and gravel trails east of Noble Avenue (not as level walking, but still easy).
Bikes: Bikes are allowed but not recommended for this trip.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on 6-ft leash
More Information:
eBird hotspot: Penitencia Creek Trail
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: Ring-necked Ducks by Brooke Miller
Last Updated: 5/21/2022
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