Located within the Stone Lakes Wildlife Refuge is Blue Heron Trails. This trail system is fully accessible to all people and offers a well designed and paved trail, consisting of a mile loop around managed wetlands. The location hosts various migrants such as hawks, shorebirds, Sandhill Crane, and waterfowl.
Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Bufferlands
The Bufferlands is an island of open space between South Sacramento and Elk Grove. Currently there is no unguided public access, but information on the numerous public tours can be found on the Bufferlands Event Calendar. Bird-focused tours are also offered on occasion with the Sacramento Audubon Society, check out our Calendar of Events for upcoming tours.
Laguna Creek Parkway Trail
Situated between housing on the north and south, this trail meanders along the creek and marshy areas and is bordered by urban plantings including many oaks. The diversity hosts a nice variety of birds such as ducks, herons, sparrows, and other passerines, with unexpected species always a possibility.
Cosumnes River Preserve
The more than 45,000 acres around the Cosumnes River that make up the Cosumnes River Preserve have been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area with more than 300 species recorded. Located within the preserve is the Wetlands Walk Trail consisting of a one-mile fully accessible trail system.
Rancho Seco Recreational Area and Howard Ranch Trail
The Rancho Seco Recreational Area has the potential to serve as a migrant trap, since the surrounding habitat is open grassland. It also provides the only public access to the Howard Ranch—a 12,000-acre preserve of grasslands, vernal pools, and oak woodlands. Good accessibility features are limited to the park-like picnic area and camping area on the south side of the reservoir, with at least one accessible fishing dock.
Sherman Island and the Sacramento County Delta
This seldom visited portion of Sacramento County, including Sherman Island and Brannan Island, has enormous potential. There can be thousands of waterfowl, and many raptors, shorebirds, sparrows, and blackbirds (including Yellow-headed and Tricolored) with a diversity of rarities showing up over the years.
Mather Regional Park
Mather Regional Park is a 64-acre lake surrounded by 158 acres of riparian habitat, upland scrub, seasonal wetland and annual grassland. With just under 200 species recorded at this site, it is a year-round favorite among local birders. The park provides a limited amount of paved walkways, but does include handicapped parking and accessible restrooms.