Self-guided Birding Locations
Birdwatching in the Palo Alto Baylands is excellent year-round but especially nice September through April when a large number of shorebirds are present. Plus, this is the best location in Santa Clara County to spot the endangered Ridgway’s Rail.
¡Es septiembre y las aves de la costa están llegando! Uno de los mejores lugares para verlos es la Reserva Natural de Palo Alto Baylands a mitad de la marea…
Ulistac Natural Area, in the city of Santa Clara, is an urban gem for birders and worth a visit year round. During fall it can get very active with migrant birds. Diverse habitats in a relatively small space offer a variety of species. The park is easily accessible by car or light rail and the trails are an easy walk that don’t require significant exertion.
This summer, you will probably find yourself looking for a shady place to enjoy local birds. The Nature Trail at the Anderson Lake/Coyote Creek Visitor Center in Morgan Hill is a favorite of mine to bird year-round, and great in summer for the ample shade along Coyote Creek. Though parts of this route may be narrow, it is a less traveled trail and thus easy to avoid crowds!
Summer is the time to visit Salt Pond A2E in Mountain View. You will have an opportunity to spot up to 6 species of terns plus the Snowy Plovers that are “next door” in Crittenden Marsh (Stevens Creek Nature Study Area). While the parking lot can be crowded at times on the weekends, once you are out on the trails, the crowds disperse.
Emily Renzel Ponds in Palo Alto is a small but delightful birding spot just east of US-101, about halfway between Charleston Slough and Palo Alto Baylands. It consists of two freshwater ponds and can be birded easily in an hour or so.
During the spring and summer months, swifts and swallows decorate these ponds, which are located near Almaden Lake in San José. It is a great location to bird on the weekends because it is relatively quiet and uncrowded compared with better known parks nearby.
Joseph D. Grant County Park is a large, uncrowded park in the east foothills of San José. It features a variety of habitats, wide trails, and easy access to parking.
July through September are the months to see the small and graceful Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalaropes. These birds are usually found on the East and West Ponds of the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant. And, if you are lucky, you may even see them spin!
