Lynch Canyon Open Space

With habitats ranging from steep grasslands to the riparian corridor of Lynch Creek, the property is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Buckeyes, oaks and wetland meadows provide shelter for deer, fox, bobcat, waterfowl, and many raptors, including red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, and the majestic golden eagle. Also of interest are excellent specimens of native grasses and spring wildflowers such as Johnny jump-ups, California poppies, brodiaea, milkmaids, yarrow and lupine. A small reservoir provides a home to muskrats, great blue and green herons and endangered California red-legged frogs.

Common Resident and Breeding Birds: California Quail, Wild Turkey, Oak Titmouse, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Western Bluebird, Black Phoebe and Ash-throated Flycatchers, Bewick’s and House Wrens, Tree, Barn and Rough-winged Swallows, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Western Meadowlarks, Song, Savannah, and Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Brewer’s and Red-winged Blackbirds, California Scrub Jays and Spotted and California Towhees are common resident birds. Northern Harriers and White-tailed Kites can be seen hovering above the marsh and grasslands. The cat-tailed lined pond shelters Mallards, Gadwall, Pied-billed Grebe, Common Gallinule, Killdeer, Marsh Wrens, Great Blue and Green Herons. American Kestrels and even Prairie Falcons can be seen streaking over the pastures in search of prey. Red-tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles can be observed riding thermals high above the hills.

Migrants: Lynch Canyon is known as one of the Bay Areas prime hawk watch locations. Sharp-shinned, Coopers, Red-shouldered Hawks and Northern Harriers, as well as occasional Merlin, Rough-legged and Ferruginous Hawks can be spotted during fall migration and in wintering months. Burrowing Owls can be spotted in the winter months along the culverts and among the rocks. Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray, and Townsend’s Warblers are some of the migrants to expect. Say’s Phoebes and White and Golden-Crowned, Fox and Lincoln Sparrows, are a few of the overwintering birds you are likely to observe.