Almost anywhere along the American River Parkway is good birding in this season. Here are some suggested birding spots from veteran birder, Cathie LaZier.
Female Common Merganser, Image by Daniel Brown
Sailor Bar
American River Parkway
Check the riverside trees for Bullock's Orioles. Upstream is a good area to find the elusive Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and you have a view across the river of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. Downstream you may find Great Blue Herons nesting, and Phainopepla and California Quail are often found here.
Directions
Address: 4253 Illinois Ave, Fair Oaks CA 96628
From downtown Sacramento: take Highway 50 east for 17.5 miles from Interstate 5, and exit at Hazel Avenue. Drive north over the freeway and cross the American River. Turn left onto Winding Way (1.3 miles from Highway 50), and go for 0.5 mile; then turn left onto Illinois Avenue.
Parking and Fees: A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles. Recommend parking in the last parking lot on your left, just before the boat launch parking area.
Acorn Woodpecker, Image by Ray Rozema
Bucks Creek Trail/Serrano Parkway, El Dorado Hills
An easy walk along this riparian habitat will turn up resident and migrating species such as woodpeckers, wrens, bluebirds and warblers. Common Gallinules are usually easy to view here and in this varied habitat, there is always the possibility of unusual finds.
Directions
Access is at the southeast corner of the intersection of Silva Valley Parkway and Serrano Parkway. To reach this spot, exit Hwy 50 at Exit 31, Silva Valley Parkway, and turn left. Follow the Parkway about a mile to the first stop light, make a U-turn and immediately park along the Parkway.
Latitude / Longitude 38°40'10.1"N 121°03'48.4"W
White-tailed Kite, Image by Chris Conard
Glenn Hall Park
Paradise Beach
The willow covered sand bars in this area are good for migrants and resident breeding birds, wrens, towhees, and other small passerines. Crossing the levee from the parking lot, you can follow several trails, all leading to the riverfront. Be aware that much of the area is very sandy.
Directions
Address: 5415 Sandburg Drive, Sacramento CA 95819
From H Street (north side of Sac State University), take Carlson Ave north till it crosses Sandburg and dead ends into the park.
Lincoln’s Sparrow, Image by Ray Rozema
Gibson Ranch, Elverta
This county park, a former ranch, has varied habitats. Drive to the very last parking lot and you can access the wooded trail along Dry Creek. Walking either way you should find a variety of birds. Elsewhere in the park there is also a small lake and several picnic areas with mown grassy areas and shady trees. This would be a good trip for families; you may want to take a lunch!
Directions
Address: 8556 Gibson Ranch Road, Elverta CA 95626
Parking & Fees: A Sac County Park Pass or $6 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Image by Daniel Brown
Wood Duck, Image by Chris Conard
Watt Avenue Access
American River Parkway
Walking upriver along the foot-of-the-levee trail, you will find many small paths going down to the riverbank. Coyotes den in this area and you are quite likely to see one. The wooded area is good for all the small passerine birds and after about a mile the river widens and develops channels flowing around a couple of islands. A little further on bear left across a small footbridge and keep left along the river channels. This is a good area for Wood Ducks.
Directions
The park is located on the south side of the river off LaRiviera Boulevard under the Watt Avenue overpass. Entering the park, turn right, and park in the last parking area on the left.
Parking & Fees: A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Google Directions: Watt Avenue River Access