The Skyland Ridge area, north of Soquel, provides good birding along several rural roads, including Spanish Ranch, Skyland, Adams, Long Ridge, Stetson, and Miller Rds. Forest habitats, orchards, and rural residential areas harbor a wide variety of species, including many spring migrants. A visit to this area fits in easily with a trip to Loma Prieta. Several roads in the area interconnect and so permit a choice of many routes. Spanish Ranch, Long Ridge and Adams road are the best for birding. Traffic is generally light, but birding will be best on weekend mornings or after commute hours on weekdays. Property along the roadsides is private.
Directions. From Hwy 1 take the Soquel exit (Porter St). Go north on Porter St a few blocks to Soquel Dr. After crossing Soquel Dr, the road becomes Old San Jose Rd. Continue north up Old San Jose Rd for 8.8 miles and turn right on Stetson Rd, or continue 1.1 miles farther and turn right on Miller Rd. Both roads lead into the Skyland Ridge area. You may also continue up Old San Jose Rd another 1.2 miles, turn right on Highland Way, and go 0.2 mile to Skyland Rd on the right, or 1.6 mile to Spanish Ranch Rd on the right. If coming from Hwy 17, go southeast 4.2 miles on Summit Rd and turn right on Skyland Rd, or 5.6 miles and turn right on Spanish Ranch Rd. This area is best birded by parking in pullouts and walking along the road.
Birds. Among the breeding birds are Sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed hawks, various woodpeckers (including Nuttall’s), Olive-sided, Ash-throated and Pacific-slope flycatchers, Cassin’s, Hutton’s and Warbling vireos, Wilson’s, Orange-crowned, and Black-throated Gray warblers, Western Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak. A walk down Spanish Ranch Rd is especially good for Cassin’s Vireo and Western Tanager. From late April to mid-May birders may encounter waves of migrants, including numerous Townsend’s and Hermit warblers, Western Tanagers, Cedar Waxwings and occasional Nashville and MacGillivray’s warblers, Black Swift and Purple Martin. Wild Turkey occurs along Spanish Ranch Rd, especially toward the road’s south end. Hermit and Varied thrushes, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, and Fox Sparrow abound in winter. Owls are plentiful, including Western Screech-Owl, and Barn, Great Horned, Northern Saw-whet owls, and even Long-eared Owl. Longridge Rd, Adams Rd and Spanish Ranch Rd are best for owling; but visit in the late or wee night hours, when passing cars are at a minimum.
A surprising set of waterbirds traverse this area, as spring and fall migrants funnel through the Soquel watershed while traveling between Monterey and San Francisco bays. These have included Common Loon, Great Egret, Whimbrel, Western Sandpiper, Bonaparte’s Gull, and Caspian, Forster’s, and Least (!) terns.