This greenbelt along Arroyo Seco Creek provides access to a fairly large island of natural habitat within suburban westside Santa Cruz. It includes riparian forest, coastal scrub, live oak woodland, as well as an extensive grove of large eucalyptus and a smaller area of planted Monterey pines.
Directions. Meder Canyon can be birded from either its north or south ends. For southern access, take Mission St (Hwy 1) to Swift St, then turn north (toward the hills). After one block, Swift makes a left turn and becomes Grandview St. Continue on Grandview to just past Escalona Dr; on the right you will see a parking lot and a small private park. Go around the park on the narrow gravel path adjacent to it, between a low chain link fence and a concrete wall. This leads to a small bridge and then a path into the lower canyon. The path follows the hillside as it drops to another bridge, this one connecting to a service road that runs almost the length of the canyon. The canyon ends at Meder St (its northern entrance) just west of University Terrace Park. Despite the convenience of this northern access at Meder St, walking up the canyon provides much better lighting for viewing than walking down, so most local birders prefer to start at the lower end.
Birds. This canyon’s thick vegetation is home for several species that are otherwise rather scarce in accessible areas in the immediate Santa Cruz vicinity. Brushland species such as California Thrasher, California Quail, Wrentit, and California and Spotted towhees are plentiful. Joining them in winter are numerous Fox and Golden-crowned (and occasional White-throated) sparrows. Northern Pygmy-Owls call regularly (but are only rarely seen). Beware of the similar sounding chip of the resident Merriam’s chipmunk, also known as the “chipmowl.”
Diverse native and introduced berry-producing plants grow in the canyon, providing food for many species. Western Tanager can be very common during fall migration, especially if the California coffeeberry crop is good. Birders have seen 30 to 40 or more tanagers in one day. Purple Finch, Black-headed Grosbeak, American Robin, Hermit and Swainson’s thrushes, and Cedar Waxwing are among the other species utilizing the canyon’s berry resources.
The riparian growth along the creek has nesting species typical of this habitat, including Swainson’s Thrush, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Allen’s Hummingbird. Among the migrants that stop over here are some of the harder-to-find western warblers, such as Nashville, Black-throated Gray, and MacGillivray’s. A number of interesting vagrants have been found here in recent years.
The eucalyptus grove in the upper canyon harbors a different suite of species from that in the lower canyon. In most years the grove has nesting Western Wood-Pewee and Olive-sided Flycatcher. Wintering species here include Winter Wren, Pine Siskin, Band-tailed Pigeon, and in some years Varied Thrush.