![]() While waiting for the wrens to show themselves, you can cautiously walk down to the lakeshore there are trails down on both sides of the dam. Scan the large boulders for Rock Wren and Canyon Wren. Target birds: Bald Eagle, Rock Wren and Canyon Wrenĭrive 2.3 miles further north from Sandy Beach Picnic Area to the end of Coyote Lake Rd and park at Coyote Dam parking lot. Gray fox and bobcat are more wary, but have habituated to people and can be seen on occasion, if you are quiet and vigilant. It is not uncommon to see wild boar and a herd of deer in the campground. If it has been raining, the lake’s edge is beside the campgrounds. If the lake has been drained it could be a quarter mile away. You can walk down to the edge of the lake to see waterfowl. It is worth birding, but only if it’s not flooded or muddy. There is an unmarked trail across the dry lake bed to the creek. You can find raptors overhead, including both Golden and Bald Eagle, and Song Sparrow and Common Yellowthroat in the marsh and riparian vegetation at the back of the lake. Turkey, Crow and White-crowned Sparrow flock to forage in the campgrounds and around, as do California Scrub-Jay, Steller’s Jay and California Towhee. Be sure to check the trunks and larger branches of the pepper trees for Red-breasted Sapsuckers. Wander around the campground to find Acorn Woodpeckers, Western Bluebirds and European Starlings competing for nest cavities in large old oaks. There is a small parking lot and bathrooms for day-users. Starting from the park entry kiosk, drive 0.2 miles to the Lake View Campground. Target birds: Eagles, Hawks, Acorn Woodpecker, Western Bluebird I’ve also chosen two of my favorite hikes: the 3.5 mile loop using the Ed Wilson Trail which can be accessed from the dam and a 4.8 mile loop using the Gaviota and Valley Oak Trails which you can access from the campground.Īuto Tour Stop 1: Lake View Campground (#4 on map) You will also share it with wild boar, deer, Wild Turkey, California Quail and possibly gray fox and bobcat. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. You will share this road with other vehicles, including trucks and RVs. This road is very narrow, so take care to drive at or below the speed limit. These make a nice auto tour if you are not up to hiking. The park road, Coyote Reservoir Road, runs through the park and parallels the west side of Coyote Lake offering many wonderful birding opportunities at numerous parking lots and picnic areas.įor the purposes of this guide, I have chosen just three stops along the lake: Lake View Campground, Sandy Beach, and the dam. This lake is a 3-mile long, narrow fault-valley reservoir that sits on the Calaveras Fault and is hemmed in behind the 1000-1400 foot high Coyote Ridge, which rises along the eastern flank of Gilroy and Morgan Hill. This guide covers the main entrance only.ĭuring winter months, the greatest bird diversity is found on and around the shores of Coyote Lake. This park has 3 entrances: the main entrance (#1 on map) which provides access to the lake, the Mendoza Entrance (# 2 on map), and the Harvey-Bear Entrance (#3 on map). Key Birds: Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, Western Grebe, Clark’s Grebe, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson’s Snipe, Spotted Sandpiper, American White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, and Phainopepla (uncommon).Ĭoyote Lake Harvey-Bear County Park, nestled in the Diablo foothills east of Gilroy, encompasses Coyote Lake and 33 miles of trails. Come for the Bald Eagles and courting Western and Clark’s Grebes and you will find so much more. Beautiful scenery is the backdrop to lots of overwintering waterfowl and wild animals like deer, wild boar, Wild Turkey and California Quail that are habituated to people. Whether you want a relaxing lakeside drive with easy bird watching, or a vigorous hike through the rolling hills, Coyote Lake in Gilroy is a prime attraction for birdwatchers. A Winter Stop for Waterfowl and Much More by Edward Rooks
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