This 550-acre reserve at Bonny Doon is owned and managed by the California Dept. of Fish and Game. Public access has only recently been granted, and the reserve is seldom birded. It contains a variety of forest and chaparral habitats, but is best known for its locally unique ponderosa pine forest, stands of the endangered Santa Cruz cypress, and interesting rock outcrops (known locally as “moon rocks”).
Directions. From Hwy 1 south of Davenport, take Bonny Doon Rd for 3.8 miles to Martin Rd (Bonny Doon Rd changes to Pine Flat Rd 0.1 mile before reaching Martin Rd). Turn right on Martin Rd and go 1.0 mile to a parking lot on the left, beside the volunteer fire station. (Do not park alongside Martin Rd itself). A trailhead, directly across the street, leads a network of unsigned trails that interconnect and reach into most of the reserve. Also walk and bird along Martin Rd for up to 0.7 mile past the fire station.
Birds. There is still much to learn about the birds of this area. Resident species include Cooper’s Hawk, Pileated, Hairy and Acorn woodpeckers, Red-breasted and Pygmy nuthatches, Oak Titmouse, California Thrasher, Wrentit, Hutton’s Vireo, Common Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Band-tailed Pigeon, and California Quail. Long-eared Owl has been recorded in spring and winter. In the breeding season watch for Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Western Tanager, and possibly Yellow-rumped Warbler, and even Common Poorwill. White-throated Swifts nest at nearby rock quarries and are sometimes seen over the reserve. In winter look for Fox Sparrow, Townsend’s Warbler, possible Hermit Warbler, and Red Crossbill.