Contra Costa Spring Birding, Part 1
Joint Event by SCVAS and Golden Gate Audubon Society
Leaders: Bill Pelletier and Steve Lombardi, hotrock175@gmail.com.
Directions: Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the south end of Mitchell Canyon Rd. in Clayton; 10 miles (20 minutes) from I-680 at the Ygnacio Valley exit in Walnut Creek. Google Maps link here: https://goo.gl/maps/Lux1K9yA92H2.
Highlights: Join us for a spring birding walk along Mitchell Canyon and Red Road trails. We will walk about 4 miles through oak savannah, mixed woodland, riparian habitats, and a little way up into chaparral/sage scrub. The route has some ups and downs and total elevation increase of up to 500 ft., depending on how far up Red Road Trail we go. We hope to see many residents and early spring migrants, including warblers, nuthatches, various woodpecker species, vireos, flycatchers and hummingbirds. We'll be listening for songs and calls to refresh our birding by ear skills. This time of year the trail is also famous for wildflowers, including the rare endemic Mount Diablo globe lily, and butterflies.
Difficulty: 4 miles, 500 ft. elevation gain
Notes: Restrooms at visitor center. Bring binoculars, water, hat, sunscreen, snacks/lunch. Entry fee is $6 ($5 senior) cash or check only at the unmanned fee-envelope entry station. Check out what GGAS has to say about this hotspot, complete with photos: https://goldengateaudubon.org/blog-posts/mitchell-canyon-birding-hotspot/. Heavy rain cancels, parking fee
For all trips: Beginners welcome. Heavy rain cancels. Carpool if possible. Bring binoculars. No unaccompanied minors.
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Location
Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center
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