Finding birds in the Sacramento area towards the end of summer can be a challenge due in part to the lack of water, so for those months SAS often suggests birding in the mountains or on the coast. The following suggestions are a mix of sites that may still produce good, local birding.
Veteran birder and Sacramento Audubon Field Trip Leader, Maureen Geiger, offers the following suggestions for where to bird in August and September 2021.
Bucks Creek/Silva Valley Parkway Trail, El Dorado Hills
Experience has shown that walks along this Creek are good any time of the year including resident woodpeckers, nuthatches, bluebirds, towhees, wrens, Green Herons, Common Gallinules, plus possible Hooded Mergansers. Walking along the edge of the Creek in this varied habitat there is always a chance for early migrating birds and unusual finds.
Directions: From Sacramento on Hwy. 50 east, take Silva Valley Parkway, Exit #31, drive north on the Parkway to the light at the intersection with Serrano Parkway. Make a U-turn at the light and park immediately on your right.
Hooded Merganser, Image by Ray Rozema
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
Someone asked recently why SAS so often suggests YBWA as a birding hotspot. One reason is because this can be a spectacular place to bird during fall and winter months. Other wildlife areas can say the same but are not as close to Sacramento. Summer is a somewhat different matter when the basin is mostly dry and dusty. However, flood-up of fields for shorebird migration begins in July by which time shorebird migration is well under way.
Directions: From Sacramento on I-80 west, take the first exit at the west end of the Yolo Causeway, East Chiles/Rd. 32A, Exit #78. Turn right at the stop sign, go under the freeway, make a left up onto the levee; then drop down into the Wildlife Area.
Virginia Rail, Image by Dan Brown
Spenceville Wildlife Area
This scenic recreational area of rolling oak woodland, streams, reservoirs and ponds offers a variety of wildlife and is, I think, under-birded. Possible birds include Yellow-breasted Chat, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Rock Wrens, Rufous-crowned Sparrows and more. This is a large and complex area with many sites along the way and makes for a good, long day trip. For detailed directions and descriptions on how to make the most of the day, check out the Lincoln-Spenceville Area on our Birding Locations pages.
Lewis’s Woodpecker, Image by Dan Brown
University of California, Davis Arboretum
Closer to home, if you would like a shady, pleasant walk in a lovely, varied landscape, the Arboretum is just the ticket. In addition to often well-marked gardens featuring plants from all over the world, this 3-mle loop is mostly level and shady and due to its proximity to the Putah Creek waterway, it feels cooler than the surrounding areas. Close-up looks at residents such as Wood Ducks, Double-crested Cormorants and Green Herons are rewarding, and in September, early migrants might be found.
Directions: From Sacramento on I-80 west, exit at Richards Boulevard/Downtown Davis, Exit #72, bear right, go under the overpass and at the light turn left onto 1st Street; then left onto D Street and into the large parking lot. There are many signs regarding where you can and cannot park, so choose your site carefully. Walk west to the trail into the Arboretum which can be accessed from both sides of the Creek.
Double-crested Cormorant, Image by Ray Rozema
Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Stone Lakes, south of Sacramento, is well designed for families with small children as it offers a wide, level cement trail that loops through the Refuge for easy walking. The year-round water supports marsh birds such as Green Heron, Sora, Belted Kingfisher, Song Sparrow and Common Yellowthroat while in the surrounding ag and fallow fields Swainson’s Hawks, Red-tails, Mourning Doves and Western Meadowlarks can be found. Several small stands of Narrow-leafed Milkweed (Asclepius sp.) have attracted migrating Monarch Butterflies in September.
Directions: From Sacramento on I-5 south, two miles south of the Elk Grove exit, take Exit #504 heading west on Hood-Franklin Road and drive .8 of a mile to the NWR entrance on the left. There is a large parking lot and handicapped accessible restrooms.
Common Yellowthroat, Image by Ray Rozema
Laguna Creek Wetlands, Elk Grove
This wetland sandwiched between housing on the north and south consists of a paved trail meandering along the Laguna Creek. Mostly sunny, the marshy wetlands are bordered by urban plantings including many oaks. Close looks at Common Gallinules, Cinnamon Teal, Snowy and Great Egrets and Double-crested Cormorants are possible and unexpected species always a possibility. This is a good walk for beginners and is stroller and small child accessible.
Directions: From Sacramento on Hwy. 99 south, exit at Elk Grove Boulevard and head east; pass Elk Grove-Florin Road, and less than a mile later turn left onto Porto Rosa Drive. Follow to Jack Hill Park and the parking area. Restrooms are available in the parking lot.
Snowy Egret, Image by Larry Hickey
- Maureen Geiger