Anna Jean Cummings Park is an important bird habitat area in the county’s urban zone, the park is of particular interest for its coastal grassland which are declining in our area. This county-owned open space just above Soquel village has scrub-covered hillsides, willows and live oaks along a riparian. An hour’s birding here offers a chance to observe several species that are hard to find elsewhere on public lands near Soquel. This area has supported Long-eared Owl, a rare species. Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon and Merlin have all been recorded in the park, the latter being regular in winter. The American Kestrel is a regular in the park, yet this species has undergone a marked decline in the county. Several other more common species contribute to form a rich assemblage of raptors that live in the park, including Sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed hawks, Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl, and more. The open scrub habitat is especially important for wintering birds such as thrushes, waxwings, sparrows, finches and flickers, which find abundant food there. Western Bluebird, a species which has greatly declined in Santa Cruz County in recent decades, sometimes occurs in the park, such as this winter when a flock has been a regular feature. The riparian corridor near the high school with oaks and willows supports a rich diversity of birds in all seasons including many varieties of warblers and Orioles.
Directions.From Hwy 1 go north on Porter St (which becomes Old San Jose Rd at Soquel Dr) for 0.8 mile. Turn left into Anna Jean Cummings Park. Park at the upper most parking lot where the open space begins. Various well worn trails traverse it; take one going south along the base of the slopes to reach some birdy scrubs and a willow/live oak riparian habitat which circles around the knoll, or take the trail straight up the steep slopes toward the meadow hilltop where you will likely see some meadowlarks, swallows or hawks and a bit of a cardio workout.
Birds. In addition to the birds listed above, other birds you might find here: sparrows, goldfinches, spotted Towhee, California Thrasher (often easy to find), Wrentit , Northern Flicker, California Quail, and Say’s Phoebe. House Wren, Bewick’s Wren and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher are possible in the fall and winter. Fruiting shrubs attract wintering American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Hermit Thrushes, and Purple Finches. Search the riparian corridor for mixed flocks of insectivores and typical oak woodland species including Hooded and Bullocks Orioles, Yellow Rumped Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Townsends and Wilson’s Warblers. In winter check the playing fields at Anna Jean Cummings Park and adjacent Soquel High School for flocks of Mew Gulls (often hundreds during stormy periods), Killdeer, Western Meadowlark and Say’s Phoebe.