- This event has passed.
Del Puerto Canyon Fieldtrip
May 7, 2023 @ 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Leader – Ralph Baker
Del Puerto Canyon (or DPC for short) is Stanislaus County’s most diverse natural environment. Its habitats range from grasslands along the western valley floor to chaparral, blue oak woodland, and pines. Over 150 species of birds have been observed in Del Puerto Canyon (your guide for this trip has personally seen 124). Birders from the Bay Area frequently come here looking for Yellow-breasted Chat, Costa’s Hummingbird, Greater Roadrunner and Grasshopper Sparrow. DPC is also the only remotely reliable place in Stanislaus County to look for Steller’s Jay. The birds, along with interesting geology, herps, insects and other wildlife, make this a must-see birding spot. The butterflies and wildflowers can be spectacular, too.
Del Puerto Canyon is also an excellent place to look for rare birds. Along the flats between marker 9.3 and 9.7, Lewis’s Woodpecker has been found (not so rare this year, though!). That same spot has had Band-tailed Pigeon and Pinyon Jay twice. Evening Grosbeak and Black Swift were found there within days of each other in 2008. Earlier county records discovered in the canyon include Clay-colored Sparrow, Blackpoll Warbler, Cassin’s Finch, Black-chinned Sparrow, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
We will meet at Starbucks at 2952 Speno Dr, Patterson, CA 95363 at 8:00am. We will make several stops at pullouts along the canyon, as well as Frank Raines Park, to see what we can find. Frank Raines Park is also the only place in the canyon with restroom facilities, so plan accordingly. As of 1/20/23 Del Puerto Canyon Road is closed just beyond Frank Raines Park, as well. I do not know the current situation, but will scout the canyon a few days prior to the trip to get a better idea.
Participants should bring sturdy walking/hiking shoes (most of the birding, except at Frank Raines Park and the OHV park, will be from the road, but we will doing a couple of very short hikes as well), water and lunch. We will return to Patterson early to mid-afternoon. We will also encourage carpooling.