Field Trip: Cruz Phillips Ranch, Santa Ynez

Saturday, November 22, 2025 ~ 8:45 am – 12:00 pm

Trip Leader: Rob Lindsay

Target Birds:

• Goldfinch
• Bunting
• Rufous-crowned Sparrow
• Phainopepla
• Yellow-billed Magpie
• Prairie Falcon
• Nuthatch
• Hummingbirds
• Golden Eagle
• etc.

Directions:

•  Take Hwy 154 to Armour Ranch Road (just north of the Santa Ynez River bridge, 3.3 miles west of the Bradbury Dam turnoff)
• Turn north east (the only way you can turn)
• Follow Armour Ranch Road for 1.4 miles
• Turn right on Happy Canyon Road
• After 2.4 miles turn right on Alisos Avenue
• BUT…We will initially meet at the corner of Happy Canyon & Alisos Ave for some birding
• After 0.7 miles the pavement ends at a cattle guard
• Continue 2.6 miles over 2 more cattle guards to the barn and ranch
• Map: Cruz Phillips Ranch
• We’ll  bird near the ranch house for about 2 hours where there is bird habitat and a large number of feeders. Then we will take an easy walk around the general area and perhaps a tour of a canyon.

Other Information:

• Bring water, snack
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Bring a hat
• Binoculars a must, spotting scopes are useful

Trip Coordinator:

• Dane St. George
  Contact Dane for information or questions