The roadway known variously as Skyline Blvd, Summit Rd, and Hwy 35 follows the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains for over 40 miles. The segment we review here is Skyline Blvd and it runs for 7.5 miles from its northwestern junction with Bear Creek Rd to Castle Rock State Park. It passes through extensive mixed evergreen forest and oak woodland, as well as chaparral and Christmas tree farms. Elevations range from 2,100 to nearly 3,200 feet, providing good opportunities for montane species. The narrow, windy segment from Bear Creek Rd to Black Rd often has little traffic and offers especially pleasant birding. The road traverses the county border, with Santa Cruz County to the southwest and Santa Clara County to the northeast.
Directions. From Hwy 17 take Summit Rd northwest for 3.3 miles, following the sign left to Boulder Creek at 2.6 miles, and then, at 3.3 miles, right onto Skyline Blvd toward San Francisco. Reset the odometer for the remainder of the route. Then continue on and park in likely looking areas, birding along the road. Some suggested stops are at 0.2, 0.9, 1.2, 1.8 (view the pond downslope to the north), 2.5, 3.0, 3.4, 4.8, 5.9, 6.3, and 6.6 miles. Parking is restricted after 6.9 miles.
Birds. Pileated Woodpecker is resident among the Douglas-fir along the road. Other residents include Band-tailed Pigeon, Nuttall’s and Hairy woodpeckers, Hutton’s Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Wrentit, California Thrasher, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch. During the breeding season look for Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin’s and Warbling vireos, Golden-crowned Kinglet, House Wren (rare), Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, Hermit, and Black-throated Gray warblers, and Black-headed Grosbeak. Waves of spring migrants pass through in late April and May; species include Lazuli Bunting, Black Swift, Rufous Hummingbird, and Townsend’s (numerous), Nashville and MacGillivray’s warblers (both rare). In fall and winter watch for Varied Thrush and for irruptive species such as Red Crossbill and Townsend’s Solitaire (rare). Northern Goshawk has been found here. The segment southeast of Black Rd is good for owling, offering Western Screech-Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, and Barn, Great Horned, and Northern Saw-whet owls.