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Description
Valle Vista offers easy, wide, mostly flat paths through a fantastic combination of forest, open, and aquatic habitats. As such, there is a rich of birds in all habitat types. Note that a permit is required for entry (see more info below).
In the winter, the high diversity of ducks and other waterfowl are a major draw. Seeing over 10 waterfowl species are possible on a single visit. And year-round, Valle Vista is one of the best places in the East Bay to see Wood Duck and Wilson's Snipe.
In the Spring and Summer, Valle Vista is an excellent place to find a range of tyrannids, including Western Kingbird, Western Wood-Pewee, and Say's Phoebe, as well as Black-headed Grosbeak and multiple vireos species. As many as 6 species of swallows often swarm together over the hills and water.
Year-round, a wide range of forest and open-area species are found here: all 3 nuthatch species are possible, plus species such as: Purple Finch, Western Bluebird, Brown Creeper, California Thrasher, Bushtit, Wrentit, Osprey, American Kestrel, Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk. Great Horned Owls often begin calling well before sunset.
Note that as managed reservoir within a municipal system the water levels are not always in sync with local weather conditions. Check the EBMUD daily water supply report (see Links section further below), look for the "% full" of USL (Upper San Leandro). Water levels below 75% removes much of the water from the Valle Vista area, and many birds leave the area during such conditions.
Details
Access
Valle Vista is a little over a mile southwest of the town center of Moraga (Moraga Rd. & Moraga Way). It's best accessed by car. The Route 6 County Connection bus provides service to the Moraga town center from both the Orinda and Lafayette BART stations, and from there it's a ~1.1 mile bike or walk. At the entrance on Canyon Rd. is a large gravel parking lot that is never full. There is a basic but clean and handicapped accessible pit-latrine bathroom there as well.
As part of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)'s backup water supply, a permit is required for entry. Permits can be purchased online (free for low-income households), for $3 for 1 day, $10 for 1 year, $20 for 3 years, or $30 for a 5-year permit (see links section further below).
There is rarely staff on site, the check-in kiosk inside the gate is self-serve, and the permit restrictions are largely on an honor basis, although if staff is present, people without permits may be given a citation.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Wetland , Grassland , LakeConditions
Hilly , Flat , Open landscape , WetCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , SpringRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Frequent deer, and occassionally other wildlife such as coyotes and feral pigs.
Links
- EBMUD Water Supply Report - look under "USL" for San Leandro Reservoir water levels
- Link for buying a trail permit (REQUIRED FOR VISITING THIS BIRDING PLACE)!
- Ebird hotspot for Valle Vista Staging Area
- Ebird bar charts of bird species at Valle Vista by month (allow up to 1 minute for page to load)
- Route 6 County Connection Bus to Valle Vista Staging Area