May is a great month for birding, with nesting birds singing and displaying and migrants such as flycatchers and warblers arriving or passing through. Any spot along the American River Parkway should be good, but here are a few specific suggestions.
Harrington Access, American River Parkway
From the parking lot take the dirt path running downstream along the river. Several side trails run right down to the water and the habitat of willow, oak, shrubs, and grassy areas is good for a variety of birds including California Quail and Red-shouldered Hawks. Keep an eye out for migrating warblers and returning Western Kingbirds and Ash-throated Flycatchers. The river is full of islands and inlets where you can find herons, egrets, and Common Mergansers. After about a mile, you'll see Rio Americano High School over the levee and you may wish to turn around here. You can retrace your steps or for a quicker return take the foot-of-the-levee trail. An alternate walk is to go upstream where you'll reach William Pond Park. From American River Drive take Harrington Drive south into the park. There is a $5 per car entrance fee; your Sac County Park Pass is good here.
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Fleming Meadow Trails,
El Dorado County, near Pollock Pines
Updated October 2021
NOTICE: In September of 2021, the USDA closed this trail to public use as part of the Caldor Fire Area Closure. For current information on this closure visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/eldorado/alerts-notices.
This system offers a variety of trail options. On an early morning walk possible birds in spring are Band-tailed Pigeons, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers, Mountain Chickadees, various migrating flycatchers, vireos and warblers, and the ubiquitous Steller's Jays, Ravens and Red-breasted Nuthatches. A suggested route is to take the trail on your left from the parking lot, 10N72, and when it splits bear left on 10N72C, then left again on trail 8A. This trail descends steeply down to Camp Creek, and usually has Pacific Wrens along the creek. It is a more difficult trail due to elevation change, and staying on the wider roads is easier. There is a trail map posted at the parking lot which you can photograph on your smartphone, and it's available online from the US Forest Service. From Sacramento take Hwy 50 to Sly Park Road (Exit #60); turn right and go about 4.5 miles past Jenkinson Lake, then left on Mormon-Emigrant Trail. Go about 2 miles and turn right on Blue Gouge Mine Road (shortly after Ferrari Mill Road) and follow it down to the trailhead parking lot.
Harry Woodpecker, Image by Ray Rozema
Hagan Community Park, Rancho Cordova
From any parking area, walk over to the river, crossing the bike trail. A dirt trail goes both up and down river, occasionally coming up to the bike trail, so watch for bikes on these short bits. A walk through the developed park can can turn up a variety of passerines in the trees. This is a good family birding area, as there are multiple picnic areas, ponds, and play areas. From Folsom Boulevard take Coloma towards the river, bearing left at the light onto Chase Drive which leads into the park. You can either park at the Hagan Community Center lot on the right, or drive into the park past the kiosk (standard parkway fees apply only if the kiosk is manned).
California Towhee, Image by Daniel Brown
Orangevale Community Park
Bordered by Hazel Avenue on the west, Oak Avenue on the north, and Filbert on the east, this large park includes some excellent natural areas. Narrow dirt trails and wider paved paths wind through the shady oak woodland, occasionally crossing a small creek, (usually dry), with sporadic open grassy areas. All the usual small passerines, including wrens, titmice, bushtits, nuthatches and finches, can be found, as well as some blackbirds around the stable area. There is parking on Hazel, Oak and Filbert; the best parking for the natural area is 7301 Filbert.
White-breasted Nuthatch, Image by Ray Rozema
Jensen Botanical Garden, Carmichael
Birding and Botany! This 3.5 acre park is great for a short birding session. In half an hour, I had over 20 bird species. Near the parking area are planted beds with a variety of flowers, blooming in the springtime. A paved walkway curves up through a grassy area to the plant nursery. A partial list of trees and plants is available at the kiosk, just past the entrance. The park is located at 8520 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Carmichael, between Hollister and Marshall.
Anna’s Hummingbird, Image by Daniel Brown
Cathie LaZier, empid77@gmail.com