Stand on Patterson Bridge and look down into creek or out into willows for migrant or breeding riparian songbirds. Be very careful of cars - some drive through very quickly. 

Obligate riparian birds like Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Purple Finch, and Hairy Woodpecker breed at this site. Check for rare songbirds in willows during migration. 

Lower Atascadero Creek is one of the largest intact riparian woodlands on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County. This creek is a refuge for many riaprian bird species which are otherwise rare or very local breeders in our area. The Patterson Ave. crossing and bridge provide good views into the creek from a paved surface. 

The creek often dries during low-flow summer periods, but usually holds at least perennial pools, if not active flow. Vegetation includes arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), sycamores (Platanus racemosa), and an unusally large amount of black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) for our region. 

Other hotspots exist for various parts of the creek. Please use this hotspot for birding in the immediate vicinity of Patterson Ave.

See Atascadero Creek Trail for the bike / walking trail which runs along the north boundary of the creek both east and west from this hotspot.