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The Byrne Forest |
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The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County owns and manages this 322-acre property north of Corralitos. Call land manager Jeff Helmer at (831) 724-5357 to arrange to visit the property. The Byrne Forest offers redwood forest, oak woodland, and scrub habitats, and it is birdy all year long. The redwood forest includes areas of second growth that are being managed to develop old-growth forest characteristics. Pileated Woodpecker occurs here, and Varied Thrush is often common in winter. A network of unsigned dirt roads and trails allows birding access on foot, some of it on moderate slopes. From Hwy 1 take Freedom Blvd east (inland). Go 4.9 miles and turn left on Corralitos Rd. Go 1.7 miles more to Corralitos and turn right on Browns Valley Rd. Follow Browns Valley Rd for 2.8 miles, then turn left at a sign for “Roses of Yesterday and Today Nursery.” Drive in past the nursery parking area and continue slowly straight ahead on a narrow, winding road marked “private drive.” Go for 0.8 mile and park in the Byrne Forest’s visitor lot on the right. A dirt road trail begins near the west side of the lot (check for a trail map in the small box near the trailhead), and leads to other trails. Bird along the entrance road, too, and along the road past the manager’s residence. In winter check the acacias near the residence for sapsuckers.
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