Valle Vista EBMUD Watershed

Trip leaders: ​​JoAnne Tillemans, JoAnneTillemans@gmail.com  and Jessica Campbell, JESSICAHCAMPBELL@Comcast.net

Date: Sunday March 22 -- 8 to 11 a.m.

Description: Valle Vista is an EBMUD protected watershed near the town of Moraga.  It offers a wonderful combination of forest, open, and aquatic habitats, which means we can hope to see a wide variety of birds. Last month we had a species count of sixty-four! This number included a pair of Bald Eagles AND a Golden Eagle, lots of Bluebirds checking out nesting sites, and the sighting of a California Thrasher singing its heart out from atop a bush. By this date in March we should have fun sorting out all the Swallows: Violet-green, Northern Rough-winged, and Tree Swallows should all be busy. Also, the Gnatcatchers and various Warblers and Kinglets will keep us busy. Some of the ducks may be gone, but probably some will still be around, and the Rufous Hummingbird could be in the area. Then we have our regulars: All the various Woodpeckers, a pair of Kestrels, Nuthatches the Belted Kingfisher. You may also see deer, coyote, rabbits, feral pigs or even an occasional bobcat.  We will walk for one mile along Rimer Creek to a view of Upper San Leandro Reservoir, then return down the same route.  The walk is mostly level with some gentle up and down.

Parts of the trail can be muddy. There is a pit toilet in the parking lot, but there is no drinking water.  

Limit: 15

Valle Vista is located near the town of Moraga.  If you are using Google or Apple maps, search for EBMUD Valle Vista Staging Area.From the west, take CA-24 through the Caldecott Tunnel, to exit 9, the Orinda-Moraga exit, and turn right on Camino Pablo toward Moraga. Go straight for about 4.5 miles to the T intersection, then turn right onto Canyon Road. Go about 1 mile and turn left into the Valle Vista Staging Area parking lot. 

Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/A7HehdUc8wQSVsmp9

Registration opens on Tuesday January 17 at 1 pm and closes on Thursday March 19 at 11 pm.