Shannon Valley Open Space Preserve (Year-round)

by Ann Verdi

Shannon Valley in Los Gatos is just that - the valley at the bottom of steep Blossom Hill where the hill meets the Guadalupe Creek corridor. The preserve offers a variety of habitats from woodlands and willow groves to meadows and a stream-side trail. Birding is good at any time of year, but especially in the springtime when Lazuli Buntings are seen among the yellow mustard flowers on the hillside with Orange-crowned Warblers calling nearby.

Trip Covers: Year-round

Key Birds: California Quail, Wild Turkey, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lazuli Bunting

How to Bird

Shannon Valley OSP is located in Los Gatos at the intersection of Hicks and Shannon Roads and serves as a connector with other Los Gatos Open Space Preserves such as Belgatos Park, Santa Rosa OSP, and Heinz OSP further uphill on Blossom Hill, as well as a nearby place to check for birds along Guadalupe Creek across Hicks Road near the end of the Guadalupe Mines Road. Shannon Valley is just that – the valley at the bottom of steep Blossom Hill where the hill meets the Guadalupe Creek corridor.

Shannon Valley Open Space Preserve by Eve Meier.

This area at one time was fully open space, but has now been developed as the Shannon Oaks neighborhood of several spacious housing properties with native landscaping, so please note you will be birding in an area of private property where there are no bathrooms or other amenities. Birding here is along the Rocky Ridge OSP trail which goes partly up the hill surrounding the neighborhood with some switchbacks and also a second flat trail which follows along Hicks Road affording looks across the road to check out Guadalupe Creek riparian.

To reach this open space preserve, take the Camden Ave exit south from Hwy 85, proceed past Blossom Hill Road, then turn right on to Hicks Road until you come to Shannon Oaks Lane on the right about a mile further down the road. Drive to the end of Shannon Oaks Lane where it ends at Mountain Laurel Lane. Turn left on Mountain Laurel Lane and park at the end of the road.

Parking for Shannon Valley OSP by Janna Pauser.

To start your exploration of the preserve, walk downhill (#1 on map) on an old paved road toward a former parking area (#2 on map) which is now closed. You will be following a seasonal creek along Shannon Road in a deeply wooded area with evergreens and oaks, so look for woodland species along this area including chickadees, juncos, sparrows, woodpeckers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, and warblers. In more open areas listen and look for Wrentits, Bewick’s Wren, finches, plus Hooded Oriole and Ash-throated Flycatchers in the palms by the large house at the corner of Shannon and Hicks Road. Wild Turkeys can occasionally be seen across Shannon Road in the green area there. Hermit Warbler has also been found here during spring migration.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher by Janna Pauser.

Coming back up this road, proceed west on a gravel trail which passes by a large willow thicket and a more open area with oak trees and tall eucalyptus trees. During spring migration, a MacGillivray’s Warbler was sighted one year plus a Willow Flycatcher during early fall migration. This part of the trail can also be good for sightings of California Quail, Western Bluebirds and Acorn Woodpeckers in the oaks, Western Tanagers and Ash-throated Flycatchers in the eucalyptus, and flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons in the woodlands. Olive-sided Flycatcher has also been a rare sighting here.

The trail then turns abruptly north toward a series of switchbacks (#3 on map) heading to the top of this ridge trail. The trail then descends to a small bridge crossing a seasonal stream. Look for Acorn Woodpeckers, Western Bluebirds, chattering Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in the low-lying bushes, plus Violet-green Swallows here. A family of Wild Turkeys were once seen at this small bridge – an adult male and female plus three young poults

View from the top of the switchbacks by Janna Pauser.

The trail then ascends to a more open part of the ridge trail (#4) where in the spring Lazuli Buntings can be seen and heard among the fields of flowering mustard with Orange-crowned Warblers and Western Bluebirds calling from the trees by the seasonal stream bed. Also from this higher vantage point, look aloft for birds heading toward the Guadalupe Landfill including Common Raven, Golden Eagle and White-tailed Kite. Vaux’s Swifts and White-throated Swifts may also be seen overhead here.

Section of the Rocky Ridge Trail where mustard grass blooms in the spring and Lazuli Bunting can often be found. Photo by Janna Pauser.

You will soon come to the junction of another trail, Oak Ridge Trail (#5 on map), which heads uphill to join with the Santa Rosa OSP closer to Harwood Road, but for this trip continue on the Rocky Ridge Trail as it descends toward the northern end of Mountain Laurel Lane. At this point, the trail becomes Hicks Trail (#6), although it is unmarked at this end; it can be a little steep and rocky. In this area you may be able to find California Thrashers, Northern Flickers, plus towhees and sparrows along the way. Hicks Trail continues alongside the chain link fence of Venture Christian property down to Hicks Rd where there is an un-named paved path running parallel to Hicks Road (#7).

The paved trail along Hicks Road is recommended as a quiet trail where you can safely look across Hicks Road to scan the riparian habitat of the Guadalupe Creek as it winds its way through its corridor. Also, at the end of this trail there is a very large eucalyptus where Great Horned Owls have been known to nest. Other birds noted along this trail have included House Wren, Warbling Vireo, White-throated Sparrow and Red-breasted Sapsucker. Continue on this paved trail to Shannon Oaks Ln and then back to your trip start. (If you do not do the entire Rocky Ridge Trail circuit at one time, this section of the loop can also be accessed from Shannon Oaks Lane. Starting from where you parked, walk down the paved Shannon Oaks Lane to the intersection with Hicks Road where you can pick up this lovely paved trail to have safe views into Guadalupe Creek.)

Orange-crowned Warbler by Deanne Tucker.

The entire circuit should take about two hours (maybe a bit longer for us older birders). While occasionally bike riders can be seen on these trails, this is mainly a walking/hiking venture so bikes are not recommended here. Also, the switchbacks may be of some concerns to some birders, so take care while hiking here. However, the lovely sight of Lazuli Buntings in the springtime meadows of blooming mustard flowers plus the nearby singing of Orange-crowned Warblers makes this hike all worthwhile!

Ready for More?

While in the neighborhood, try exploring Guadalupe Creek from the quiet Brookside neighborhood. Read our self-guided trip “Guadalupe Creek off Guadalupe Mines Road.”

Interactive Map

Directions: From Hwy 85, take the Camden Ave exit south. Proceed past Blossom Hill Road, then turn right on to Hicks Road until you come to Shannon Oaks Lane on the right about a mile further down the road. Drive to the end of Shannon Oaks Lane where it ends at Mountain Laurel Lane. Turn left on Mountain Laurel Lane and park at the end of the road Latitude/Longitude: 37.218229, -121.914124

Parking: On street parking

Fees: None

Public Transportation: Not available

Park and/or Trail Hours: 7 am to sunset

Facilities: No facilities

Trip Mileage: 1.0 - 1.5 miles

Trail Conditions: mostly dirt trails with a paved section along Hicks Rd, some steep sections

Accessibility: Not accessible

Bikes: Allowed but not recommended

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on 6-ft leash

More Information

eBird hotspot: Shannon Valley OSP

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: Lazuli Bunting by Dave Zittin

Last Updated: 3/5/2022

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