South County
CALAVERAS RIVER BIKE PATH
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Description of the Area
This is a two-mile stretch of paved levee on the north side of the Calaveras River from the Pershing Ave bridge west to the Brookside development, which runs through a mostly residential portion of Stockton. Motorized vehicles, with the exception of County Flood Control and Stockton Police Department, are not permitted on the path. It is always open, and there are no facilities.
The Calaveras River joins the Stockton Deep Water Channel another mile to the west of this area. Many birds, such as cormorants, herons, egrets, kingfishers, terns, and gulls, even sea lions, not normally seen in town, come up the river here. Many habitats are represented, such as riverbank, open water, small islands with tall trees, and also grassy fields. The water level varies by season. It is usually higher in winter and spring, and low in summer and fall. The river level is also subject to tidal action. Wading birds are more likely to be found at low tide.
Warning: underpasses inside the levee at Pershing and Pacific Av can be flooded after heavy rains in winter. Additionally, over the years, much of the area to the east of I-5 has become encampments for the homeless, so expect litter.
How to Get There
Take the March Ln exit off I-5 turn west, from the south left under the freeway, from the north turn right at the light. Continue on March Ln to the first traffic signal. This is Feather River Dr. Turn left (south). Feather River Dr ends at Brookside Rd, which runs parallel with the levee for the length of the bike path as far as Pacific Ave. At Boulder Creek Cir, one block north of Brookside Rd, parking is available on the residential side street. If this is full, go out to Brookside Rd, turn left, and drive to the first stop sign. This is McGaw St. Turn left and park on the west side of the street, away from the school parking lot. There are fairly steep access ramps up to the levee at both locations.
Target Birds
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Birding At the Site
Joining the bike path at Feather River Dr puts you about 0.5 mile from the west end and 1.5 from Pershing Ave Bridge at the east end. Many of the birds listed can be seen the entire length of the path.
West: Turn right on the bike path. This direction is best for Double-crested Cormorant; California and Bonaparte’s gulls; Red-winged and Brewer’s blackbirds; Northern Rough-winged and Barn swallows, Black Crowned Night-, Green, and Great Blue Herons. The path ends after 0.5 mile at a gated turnstile. However, go through the gate where there is a pedestrian-only extension, which continues for another 2 miles through Brookside development. After the second gate stay on the lower trail. About a mile inside the gate, the Calaveras River joins the San Joaquin River, where it becomes the Stockton Deep Water Shipping Channel. This 2-mile portion is gated and locked at night. In this section, Great-tailed Grackle was first recorded in San Joaquin Co in the mid-1990s. They are now common in much of the county and state. Forster’s Tern, Western and Clark’s grebes, Red Shouldered, Red-tailed and Swainson’s hawks, kestrels, and kites are found.
East: Turn left at Brookside Rd and walk under I-5 before climbing the access ramp to the bike path. Pied-billed Grebe and Double-crested Cormorant may be found in the river. The brambles and thistles on the slopes of the levee attract sparrows and finches. The smaller trees often hold an Anna’s Hummingbird.
Soon you will come to some small islands in the river with lots of thick undergrowth and a few tall trees. Watch and listen for Belted Kingfishers, Black Phoebes, and Spotted Towhees in the lower vegetation. Look for Swainson’s, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed hawks in the treetops.
In winter, it is common to find a flock of Cedar Waxwings mixed in with American Robins in the bare branches. This is also a good area for migrants, such as Western Tanagers, various warblers, and flycatchers in spring. In summer, swallows (Cliff, Barn, Northern Rough-winged) are common near all the bridges. Be alert for the occasional White-throated Swift.
The trees eventually give way to an open grassy area on both sides of the Pershing Ave bridge. Look for Western Kingbird, American Kestrel, Red-winged Blackbird, and Northern Mockingbird. The next bridge is Pacific Ave, and while the path continues further in this direction, the habitat and species diversity drops sharply. For better habitat, cross over the Pacific Bridge and continue east on the unpaved levee as far as El Dorado Bridge where a small orchard and homes with a variety of trees back up to the levee. Further east is not suggested because of concern for crime.
Note: The area between Pershing and Pacific is part of the University of the Pacific campus, which is treated elsewhere in this book. There are no restroom facilities.
More Information
Timing: N/A
Parking:
Facilities: No restrom
Accessibility:
Dogs:
Bikes:
Others: