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Liddell Creek at Bonny Doon Road |
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Birding opportunities at Liddell Creek along Bonny Doon Rd are presently limited, but the riparian corridor and adjacent scrub-covered hillsides here in the lower canyon can be excellent in migration (especially fall) and the nesting season. However, bird along the road with caution; traffic moves fast here. Turn inland at Bonny Doon Rd, 7.6 miles north of Western Dr (Santa Cruz), and about 1.7 miles north of the Laguna Creek parking lot. Park at pullouts on the right 0.3 and 0.6 mile from Hwy 1. Search near the pullouts and walk both up and down the creek stream. Fruiting coffeeberry on the slope above the road may attract many birds in August and September. A remarkable number of vagrants have been found in this area, including Painted Bunting, Canada Warbler, Summer Tanager, and Green-tailed Towhee. An unmarked and often overgrown dirt road follows the East Branch of Liddell Creek upstream past a gate marked “no parking.” This offers a birdy walk for about 0.75 mile, but the weeds may be wet and watch for ticks.
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