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Tricolored Blackbird by Tom Grey

Cañada de los Osos Ecological Preserve

Cañada de los Osos is a CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife facility on the southern border of Henry L. Coe State Park northeast of Gilroy. We'll explore an extensive Bay Laurel woodland along a creek, oak woodlands, and a large meadow with extensive native grasses. A Tricolored Blackbird nesting colony on a small pond is regular here.

Trip Difficulty: 2-3 miles, shady along the creek, very open in the grassland. Mostly easy walking on old ranch roads, we may wander into some grassy areas.

Other Trip Notes: Dave Stocks builds and maintains numerous bird boxes here. He'll be on hand to tell us his experiences with Wood Ducks, Barn Owls, Kestrels, Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. Biologists commonly use CdlO for field studies.

Leaders: Rick Herder (408) 930-1029 and Howard Friedman (408) 806-6772

Intermediate Level Birding

Meet: Parking area within Canada de los Osos

Directions: Cañada de los Osos is 13 miles northeast of Gilroy. Take Cañada Road to its intersection with Jamieson Road (37.034014, -121.455708).  Follow Jamieson Road east as it narrows and goes up a hill to the left, marked with a “CDLO” sign. After passing through a gate the road forks. Take the right fork and go past old ranch buildings, a Coe office, and a second gate. Drive through a shallow creek crossing to a parking area near gray shop buildings Latitude/Longitude: 37.037491, -121.413593

Parking Type and Fees: No fees. Parking on graveled area.

Facilities: Bathroom available, poor cell service. Bring water.

Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvas.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.