Birding Pine Canyon

Pine Canyon

Monday, April 28, 8 AM to 1 PM

This fieldtrip is especially good for beginning birders!

Pine Canyon, which includes the Castle Rock EBRPD recreational area, and the Diablo Foothills Regional Park just beyond, provides rich habitat and resources for spring migrants passing through, as well as for many returning and nesting summer residents.

Warbling Vireos, along with their cousins, the Cassin’s Vireo, nest within the canyon. We can also hope to find Bullock’s Orioles and House Wrens. Rufous-crowned Sparrows are to be found, and if we’re lucky, Lazuli Bunting. We’ll look (and listen) for Black-headed Grosbeaks and Western Tanagers. Western Wood-Pewees and Pacific-slope Flycatchers pass through. We might get lucky with an Olive-sided Flycatcher. And the warblers: breeding plumage Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Gray, Wilson’s, Yellow, Nashville, MacGillivray’s, Hermit, Orange-crowned, and Townsend’s.

Bring water and snacks, or lunch, as there are shady picnic tables in the park.

Trail Rating: Category 2–3 Mostly wide dirt trail with some short climbs. There are multiple creek crossings, with difficulty depending on recent weather.

Elevation change: 200 feet

Leader: Ted Robertson, 925-899-1872

Meet: Diablo Foothills Regional Park trailhead parking lot

Directions: From Ygnacio Valley Road, drive south on either Walnut Avenue or Oak Grove Road to the traffic circle. Continue south on Castle Rock Road, pass Northgate High School, then drive to the end of the road.

This field trip is limited to 18 participants. Participants must acknowledge the MDBA Liability Waiver (available during registration).

(Townsend’s Warbler photo by Jerry Britten)

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Diablo Foothills Regional Park Trailhead Parking, 1700 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, United States