Where to Go Birding in the City of Sacramento

Where to Go Birding
Purple Martin Daniel Lee Brown 2010-07-22.jpg
spring, summer
Purple Martins in Sacramento
spring, summer

The Western subspecies of Purple Martin is uncommon and declining, but the City of Sacramento is host to a few small breeding colonies that have adapted to nesting in “weep holes” under freeway overpasses.

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spring, summer
Townsend's Warbler Daniel Lee Brown 2013-01-08.jpg
winter, partially accessible
East Lawn Cemetery
winter, partially accessible

If you have only a few hours to spare for birding on a winter weekend morning, you might want to visit East Lawn Cemetery on Folsom Boulevard in East Sacramento. Filled with winter residents, over the years, Townsend’s Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Black-and-white Warbler have been found here in the winter. Well maintained and paved roads with limited and slow moving vehicles wind through the cemetery. Handicapped parking and accessible restrooms are provided.

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winter, partially accessible

Urban Birding Tour

A tour of urban Sacramento parks begins in William Land Park and continues south. From Interstate 5, exit at Sutterville Road. At the east side of the overpass, go right at the sign for Riverside Boulevard and north (right) to William Land Park. Continue the tour south to the other urban parks. Read about each park individual below or see the entire tour here.

Where to Go Birding
Red-naped Sapsucker Daniel Lee Brown 2013-01-03.jpg
winter
William Land Park
winter

The large conifers and berry-laden shrubs and trees of William Land Park attract winter flocks of American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, and American Goldfinch. This is a good place to look for wintering Varied Thrush (under the redwoods), Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend’s Warbler, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin.

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winter
Purple Finch Daniel Lee Brown 2010-11-24.jpg
Reichmuth Park

Reichmuth Park, for its size, is one of the great magnets for migrating landbirds in the Sacramento area.  Sixteen warbler species have been recorded here, including all of the West Coast species plus Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Hooded Warbler, and Canada Warbler.

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Ring-necked Duck Chris Conard.jpg
Greenhaven Lake

Public access to Greenhaven Lake has diminished to the point where it's no longer a great birding destination, but worth a check if you're in the area. In fall and winter, large flocks of Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, gulls, Clark’s Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and other water birds may be found.

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Caspian Tern Daniel Lee Brown 2010-08.jpg
Garcia Bend Park and Marriott Park

Garcia Bend Park is worth a visit in spring and fall to look for migrating landbirds in the riparian growth and Caspian or Forster’s Terns over the river. Marriott Park has large valley oaks that attract migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers and others in spring.

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White-tailed Kite Daniel Lee Bown 2019-06-17.jpg
Chorley Park

Chorley Park is a small city park that harbors migrating land birds and nesting White-tailed Kite in spring. This area consists of weeds, willows, and cottonwood trees.

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