San Jose Creek, North of Cathedral Oaks

San Jose Creek, North of Cathedral Oaks

Santa Barbara, California 93111

Tips for Birding

Parking is best at North Patterson where it crosses the creek 0.3 miles north of Cathedral Oaks; at Kellogg Street immediately north of Cathedral Oaks; and at the intersection of Avenida Pequena and Paseo Cameo just north of Cathedral Oaks on the east side of the creek.

Birds of Interest

Spring migrants, riparian breeding season.

About this Location

San Jose Creek north of Cathedral Oaks is the best example of the Goleta suburban open space, where undeveloped land has been preserved along the major creeks within and adjacent to the City. It is just north of the City of Goleta boundary and is accessible from several locations. Formal and informal trails on both sides of the creek facilitate birding this area. North Patterson crosses the creek in the northern part of this area, and parking here provides access to a trail on west side of the creek north of Patterson (accessed on the south side of the bridge) as well as to trails on both sides of the creek to the south. The main fork of San Jose Creek meets the West Fork of the creek between Cathedral Oaks to the south and North Patterson to the north. Access to the creek from just south of the confluence of these two forks is best from Kellogg Street, just north of Cathedral Oaks, on the west side of the creek. Bird the oaks, sycamores, and riparian vegetation from Kellogg just north of the intersection, and walk to the gate at the dirt road that continues along the main creek and the West Fork farther north. You can also access the area around the confluence from the east side, at the corner of Avenida Pequena and Paseo Cameo, just north of Cathedral Oaks.

The extensive riparian in this area is good birding at all times of year, but especially during spring migration and the breeding season. The perennial creek supports relatively mature riparian habitat (sycamores, willows, oaks) with dense undergrowth. The most extensive and densest habitat occurs around the confluence, but birding can be good throughout. This area is one of the relatively few creeks on the coastal plain of the south coast of Santa Barbara County that regularly supports breeding of Yellow Warbler and Warbling Vireo. Wilson’s Warbler and Swainson’s Thrush may have bred here in the recent past. More common breeding species include Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Hutton’s Vireo, among others. A variety of spring land migrants are often found here, as well, during April and May. Rarities that have been found here include a Kentucky Warbler that wintered here in 1984, as well as Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-White Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Northern Waterthrush, and Summer Tanager.

Features

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Roadside viewing

  • Restrooms on site

  • Entrance fee

Content from Dave Compton