spring

Sailor Bar

Walk the trails along the river and you may find Spotted Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, Great Blue Herons, and Great Egrets hunting at the water's edge while Wood Ducks and Common Mergansers float along. Black Phoebes, Bushtits, and Acorn Woodpeckers are seen year-round. In the spring and summer, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Western Kingbirds, and Bullock's and Hooded orioles are all possibilities.

Lower Sunrise Area

In the fall and spring, migrating songbirds such as Townsend’s, Hermit, Nashville, and Wilson’s warblers, as well as Bullock’s Orioles, and Black-headed Grosbeak may be spotted. In winter, California, American Herring, and Ring-billed gulls are the most common species. One might also see less common Glaucous-winged, Iceland, or Short-billed gulls.

Effie Yeaw Nature Center

More than 70 acres of riparian woodland adjacent to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center (EYNC) have been preserved as a nature study area within the American River Parkway. Because this birding spot is easy to reach and includes a variety of habitats, it is possible to sight more than 100 species during the course of a year. In the spring, migrating warblers move through the woods. The crowned sparrows return each fall, and winter brings the goldeneyes back to the river.

William B. Pond Recreation Area

Known for its diverse habitats, William B. Pond has fast flowing water where riffles and gravel bars are present, sandy riverbanks, riparian woodlands, a nesting rookery, open areas and woodlands edges, plus a wonderful urban park. All these habitats draw in a great variety of birds. Physically handicapped birders can access the large pond via a specialized accessible pier and ramp. Paved walking trails gently slope around the park.

Gristmill Recreation Area

An amazing number of rarities have been found here in the spring and fall: Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Parula, and Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, and Hooded warblers, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Howe and Watt Avenue Accesses

Throughout the year informal trails provide access to the riparian forest. In the winter this is a good area for sparrows and wrens. During spring and fall migration, look for warblers, vireos, and flycatchers in the oaks, willows, and cottonwoods.

California State University, Sacramento

In spring, look for migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and grosbeaks. In winter, look for Dark-eyed Junco, crowned sparrows, winter warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Red-breasted Sapsucker, and Hermit Thrush.

North Natomas

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.

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.

Latrobe Road (Deer Creek Hills)

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.

Lake Natoma

The Nimbus Dam creates a narrow reservoir below Folsom Lake on the American River. It backs up water for nearly six miles, starting just upstream from the Nimbus Hatchery and the Hazel Avenue bridge. Open water attracts many water birds and the surrounding oak woodlands add to the species diversity.

Folsom Point to Sweetwater Creek

The multiple locations described in this section (Folsom Point, Mormon Island Wetlands, Morman Island Lake Access, Brown’s Ravine, Falcon Crest, Sweetwater Creek trail to Folsom Lake, and Sweetwater Trail) can be done as individual short excursions or as a full day of birding, progressing from one stop to the next.

Beeks Bight

Beeks Bight offers foothill woodland habitat dominated by interior live oak, gray pine, and blue oak. The spring season provides the greatest diversity. Dozens of migrating and resident hummingbirds can be found feeding on flowers. Granite rock outcroppings prevail throughout and offer excellent habitat for Rock Wrens and Rufous-crowned Sparrows.

Bridgeway Island Pond

This year-round pond in West Sacramento near the eastern edge of the Yolo Causeway is one of the best places in California to see Blue-winged Teal each fall and winter. Additionally year-round resident Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets breed here in the spring.

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (aka the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area)

This Global-Priority Level Important Bird Area contains more than 25,000 acres and is just minutes from downtown Sacramento. There are miles of gravel roads for fantastic birding from your vehicle. However most of the trails within the wildlife area are not accessible to mobility challenged users.