Soquel Creek’s riparian corridor is among the more varied and productive streamside forests in the county, although some breeding species have decreased recently in the urbanized part of the stream corridor.
Directions. Three places provide easy access to the riparian forest. (1) One in Capitola offers the most extensive access with little effort. Take the Bay Ave exit off Hwy 1 and go south (toward the ocean) 0.1 mile. Turn right into the parking lot for Nob Hill Foods and park on the far side, near the creek. A small city park here is named Peery Park. A footbridge passing high over the creek provides views in the tree canopies and access to the other side of the creek, and an unmarked path leads to the streambed near a small sewage facility. (2) In the village of Soquel, take Porter St north from Hwy 1, then go right on Main St and park at its intersection with East Walnut St. The creek can be surveyed from the footbridge and from the small park near the intersection. (3) Continue farther up Main St for another 0.3 mile and turn left on Bridge St. Here, another footbridge offers views into the riparian habitat. A set of precarious steps below this bridge will take an adventurous birder to the beginning of a long walk upstream through some of the finest riparian forest in the county. Hip waders are usually needed to wade the deeper parts of the stream, but one can get pretty far with regular rubber boots.
Birds. Some riparian specialties have become scarce in the urbanized downstream areas, but this corridor is still well worth birding. Check in migration and winter for unusual warblers and other rarities, especially at the Capitola (Peery Park) access. Waterbirds to watch for include Green Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, and Common Merganser. A full array of riparian breeding species may still be found by walking the creek upstream from the Bridge St access; these include such species as Yellow Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush, and Western Wood-Pewee.