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.
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.
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).
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.
Michigan Bar Road
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.
Meiss Road
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.
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.
Beals Point
Beals Point is probably the single best location for viewing large numbers of gulls and water birds on Folsom Lake. From 3pm until dusk thousands of gulls fly in to roost on the lake. As many as 14 Common Loons have been recorded just from this site.
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.
Pioneer Express Trail
An afternoon hike in this area on a clear day in the middle of January will reward the birdwatcher with sunshine, green foothill grasses, early blooming manzanita and coyote bush, and over 60 species of birds. This is also the best time of year for sighting Bald Eagles and Osprey soaring along the lake’s shoreline.
Folsom Lake Peninsula
The peninsula between the north and south arm of Folsom Lake is the most remote and under birded portion of the recreation area. Possibilities include California Thrasher, Lewis’s Woodpecker and rarely Bell’s Sparrow. Burrowing Owls have been found sheltering among the rocks on a few occasions.
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.
Wood Duck Ponds and Babel Slough
These two sites just west of the Sacramento River make for an excellent morning of birding in the spring and fall. When there is a good pulse of migrants, the woods can be hopping with warblers and other songbirds.
Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant
The sewage ponds, with numerous settling ponds and levees between them, are open to the public during weekday business hours. Birders are welcome to walk the roads around the ponds but must check in at the office and sign a “Contractor and Visitor Orientation Sheet.” Weekend access is available with advance arrangement.