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Buzzard Lagoon Road |
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This seldom-birded forest road passes through the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park (described above) and private land. Without a current map in hand, one can scarcely tell one property from the other, so discreet birders will remain on the road itself. The road is unpaved but generally in good shape for its whole length, but is muddy and should be avoided (except on foot) in the winter or anytime after rains. This is a very good route for breeding birds in spring and early summer and can be birdy in mid-autumn, too. Begin at the junction of Buzzard Lagoon Rd with Eureka Canyon Rd and Highland Way, 8.8 miles up Eureka Canyon Rd from Corralitos. Drive and park to explore along the road. After 1.0 mile Aptos Creek Fire Rd joins on the right. It leads into the main part of the Forest of Nisene Marks. Birding along Buzzard Lagoon Rd is best in areas of mixed evergreen forest and live oak woodland. Look for nesting Western Tanager, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Hermit Thrush, and Pileated Woodpecker. Purple Martin has nested near the road and might be seen from May to July. The downhill end of Buzzard Lagoon Rd connects to Rider Rd, which goes left back to Eureka Canyon Rd 2.1 miles north of Corralitos. Rider Rd itself offers birding opportunities, especially uphill from its junction with Buzzard Lagoon Rd.
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