Where to Go Birding in Sacramento County

North Sacramento County

Where to Go Birding

House Wren Chris Conard may9 2008 arparkway.jpg

spring, fall

The trail around the park is at its best during spring and fall migration with large numbers of sparrows, warblers, and kinglets in the canopy and on the ground.

spring, fall

White-faced Ibis Daniel Lee Brown Yolo Bypass 2016-06 (2).jpg

Hansen Ranch Park Preserve

If you have never been to Hansen Ranch, you are in for a treat. A leisurely walk on the levee above the pond shows the preserve's many unique qualities. In addition to heron and egret rookeries in the spring, year-round grassland species, and a variety of waterfowl and hawks in the winter, this is excellent habitat for rails which can be heard regularly as you walk along the marsh.

Cinnamon Teal Daniel Lee Brown 2014-02.jpg

The Walter S. Ueda Parkway (aka Wolf Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary)

Wolf Ranch has seen a significant increase in bird species and diversity over the years, increasing from 58 species recorded in 2001 to 139 species reported in eBird as of April 2024. The creek is host to egrets, heron, and other wading birds and shorebirds. The restored wetlands in the winter host a variety of waterfowl. Throughout hawks, kestrel and shrike have been known to dot the telephone poles and fence posts.

Savannah Sparrow Dana J. Miller-Blair Lincoln.jpg

Tanzanite Community Park

Tanzanite Park is a good place for a leisurely walk where a wide variety of grassland species are possible. In winter, several species of raptors, including falcons, may also be observed along with herons, egrets, waterfowl, and shorebirds.

Swainson's Hawk Daniel Lee Bown 2009-07-04.jpg

spring, winter

North Natomas

spring, winter

Because of its varied habitat, a large variety of birds may be seen in North Natomas. Hawks and blackbirds inhabit the grasslands. In the right season shorebirds, ducks, geese, and swans fill the rice fields. Riparian areas are rife with titmice and woodpeckers year-round and migrant warblers in spring and fall.

spring, winter

South Sacramento County

Where to Go Birding

highly accessible

Stone Lakes Wildlife Refuge

highly accessible

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.

highly accessible

Indigo Bunting Daniel Lee Brown 2016-05.jpg

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.

Olive-sided Flycatcher Daniel Lee Brown 2016-05-26.jpg

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.

Wilson's Snipe Daniel Lee Brown Yolo Bypass 2014-10.jpg

highly accessible, summer, fall, winter, spring

Cosumnes River Preserve

highly accessible, summer, fall, winter, spring

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.

highly accessible, summer, fall, winter, spring

partially accessible

Rancho Seco Recreational Area and Howard Ranch Trail

partially accessible

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.

partially accessible

winter

Sherman Island and the Sacramento County Delta

winter

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.

winter

Northern House Wren Mary Forrestal Mather.JPG

partially accessible

Mather Regional Park

partially accessible

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.

partially accessible

Eastern Grasslands and Blue Oak Woodlands

The following five locations include details on great birding areas from fall through spring. They can be combined into a full day of birding, or taken in sections as time allows. The main attraction for most birders is the chance to see winter raptors and Lewis’s Woodpeckers in a relatively natural setting. It must be mentioned that the areas along Scott and White Rock Roads are under extreme development pressure, and the descriptions that follow are of the areas as they exist today. The Sacramento Valley Conservancy spearheaded a multi-partner effort to purchase 4,000 acres through which Latrobe Road travels—Deer Creek Hills. Determined efforts to preserve open space in the southeastern county are vital if we are to continue enjoying these wonderful birding areas.

Note: Scott Road and White Rock Road are experiencing increasingly heavy traffic, so use caution and pull completely off the road when parking.

Where to Go Birding

Ferruginous Hawk Daniel Lee Brown 2014-01-22.jpg

White Rock and Payen Roads

Vast grassland expanses and rolling hills provide excellent opportunities to look for Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Falcons, and other winter raptors. Payen Road has few cars and allows a leisurely visit.

Loggerhead Shrike Daniel Lee Brown 2012-12-11.jpg

Scott Road

This area is primarily open grasslands interspersed with oaks hosting a wonderful variety of passerines and raptors. The area is of particular interest from the first fall rains until the water dries up (normally in June).

Band-tailed Pigeon Chris Conard 2015 Nov 22.JPG

spring

Latrobe Road (Deer Creek Hills)

spring

With a mix of blue oak woodland, savanna, and expansive grasslands, a trip along Latrobe Road has a diversity of habitats and a real sense of remoteness. Typical foothill species such as Western Bluebirds, Lark Sparrows, and Lesser Goldfinches abound. Less commonly, you may encounter a Phainopepla and Lawrence’s Goldfinches. This area is under-birded and has a lot of potential.

spring

Hairy Woodpecker Daniel Lee Brown 2016-11-15.jpg

winter

Michigan Bar Road

winter

Michigan Bar Road is another location where the possibility of less common species is the draw, with Hairy Woodpeckers, Steller’s Jays, Band-tailed Pigeons, American Dippers, and Lawrence’s Goldfinches all rare but possible.

winter

spring

Meiss Road

spring

An open country gem, a drive along Meiss Road can produce winter raptors and a variety of passerines. In spring and summer, this area has been fairly reliable for Lesser Nighthawks and Grasshopper Sparrows.

spring

North Sacramento County

South Sacramento County

Eastern Grasslands and Blue Oak Woodlands

Where to Go Birding
By Season and By Region

Accessible Locations

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

American River Parkway

City of Sacramento

Sacramento County

Folsom Lake Area

Yolo County

North of Sacramento

San Joaquin and Solano Counties

Foothills and Sierra Nevada

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