Rancho
Del Oso
(Big
Basin Redwoods State Park)
| The
coastal entrance to Big
Basin Redwoods State Park at Rancho del Oso has everything a birder
could ask for—ocean, marsh, riparian, pine-oak woodland, and yes, plenty
of birds! Further inland there are redwood forests and seasonal
waterfalls. You don't have to go far from the highway to find a variety of
habitats, but to fully experience what this special place has to offer,
take to the trails... |
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Rancho
del Oso is located on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County, just south of the
San Mateo County line, and not far from Ano Nuevo State Reserve. Parking
areas are on either side of the highway where it crosses Waddell Creek
(milepost 36.30). The beach at the creek mouth—when not packed
with people—is good for gulls and shorebirds, sometimes including Snowy
Plovers.
Rancho del Oso,
on the inland side of the highway, has a large freshwater marsh area,
riparian thickets of alder and willow, and Monterey pine forest. From the
gate opposite the beach parking area you can walk the Skyline-to-the-Sea
Trail for miles (all the way to Castle Rock State Park if you feel the
urge to do some serious hiking!). The park office is just a short distance
up the trail. Along the way be alert for Allen’s Hummingbird, common
here in spring. Swallows of several species, including Violet-green, are
likely to be seen overhead during the warmer months. Virginia Rails
inhabit the marsh, but are rarely seen. |
| The
Marsh Trail connects the park office/Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail with the
Rancho del Oso Nature & History Center (although the footbridge
spanning Waddell Creek is sometimes washed out by heavy winter rains).
From spring through summer you should find Warbling Vireo, Swainson’s
Thrush, and Orange-crowned and Wilson’s Warblers along the path. Mixed
species flocks of kinglets, chickadees, vireos, warblers, and other small
insectivores are to be expected in fall, and this area definitely has the
potential to produce eastern vagrants (e.g. Red-eyed Vireo, Magnolia
Warbler). With luck you might see a Green Heron or Western Pond Turtle
when you reach the stream. |
Violet-green
Swallow |
If
you opt to hike all or part of the Skyline-to-the Sea Trail, just past the park
office and Horse Camp you will have a choice to make; you can either stay on the
road, which will allow you to view more riparian and meadow habitat, or follow
the West Trail, an alternate route, to the left. The West Trail traverses steep
mountainsides, and in 2 miles reconnects with the road. You are likely to see
more birdlife by walking the road, but along the trail you could find Northern
Pygmy-Owl and other coniferous forest species. As you travel further inland the
canyon narrows and the shade deepens. With luck you might glimpse a Pileated
Woodpecker or American Dipper if you go far enough.
Additional
birds of Rancho del Oso and the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail: Wood Duck,
Red-shouldered Hawk, California Quail, Band-tailed Pigeon, Anna’s Hummingbird,
Belted Kingfisher, Acorn, Downy, and Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Sapsucker
(winter), Olive-sided and Pacific-slope Flycatchers (spring/summer), Steller’s
Jay, Western Scrub-Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Brown
Creeper, Bewick’s and Winter Wrens, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned (winter)
Kinglets, Wrentit, Common Yellowthroat, Black-headed Grosbeak (spring/summer),
Spotted and California Towhees, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged and
Brewer’s Blackbirds, and Purple Finch.
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