Davis provides several excellent sites for birders. Davis residents can reach them on foot, by bike, or very short drives. A dedicated corps of Yolo Audubon birders covers these sites very well, and rarities are often reported. A small sample of the available birding opportunities follows. Additional sites are detailed in Birding in Yolo County, CA by Steve Hampton.
The University of California, Davis Arboretum
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
In addition to other large trees on the U.C. campus, this location has produced excellent rarities (notably Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Red Crossbills) and often provides good birding. There are nice remnant oaks on the highly altered remains of the Putah Creek channel that runs through campus, in addition to plants representing many different regions. Conifers on campus often harbor Red-breasted Nuthatches (fall through early spring). Chestnut-backed Chickadees (winter) are sometimes found in the pines and oaks along the arboretum trails. There has been a rookery of Black-crowned Night-Herons, Snowy Egrets, and Cattle Egrets at the western portion of the arboretum. The arboretum setting is very nice, but is somewhat marred by the loud roar of traffic. eBird Sightings
This is also an Accessible Birding Location. To learn more about the accessibility of this location visit our Accessible Birding page.
Directions: From Interstate 80, about 14 miles west of Sacramento, take the U.C. Davis exit (exit 71) and turn right. It currently costs $6 to park in the lots along Old Davis Road and elsewhere on campus. From Old Davis Road, walk north to the trails that parallel the old creek channel. You may be able to find parking along the street at the western end of the arboretum. From Old Davis Road, turn left at California Avenue, and left at La Rue Road. After 0.4 mile, turn left on Garrod Drive and park near the gazebo.
Putah Creek Riparian Preserve
Putah Creek Riparian Preserve is west of the main U.C. Davis campus. This vital remnant of riparian habitat has become a haven for warblers, flycatchers and other migrating passerines in the spring and fall. The reserve is maintained by the UC Davis Arboretum and utilized for teaching and research. Be sure to stay on the north side of the creek as the south side is privately owned. Parking and access to the trails and levee are open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
Townsend’s Warbler, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Birding the Site: Parking in the Pedrick Rd lot is a great place to start birding as the oaks often hold warblers, tanagers, and orioles in the spring. Check out the fields behind the parking area for Western Bluebirds, Yellow-billed Magpies, and raptors. Head down any of the trails from the parking lot. Proceed west along the narrow dirt trails that meander and crisscross the area between the creek and levee. When you’re done head back to the parking area along the Levee, checking the fields on your left. eBird Sightings
Directions: Take Highway 113 north from Interstate 80 (about 14.5 miles west of Sacramento). Exit Interstate 80 at Pedrick Rd (17.5 miles west of Sacramento), go north for 2.6 miles and turn left into gravel lot after crossing Putah Creek. Walk under the bridge and continue downstream where many migrants and rarities have been found.
Additional information on the Putah Creek Riperian Reserve can be found at arboretum.ucdavis.edu/putah-creek. Here you’ll find maps, information on trailheads, and rules and regulations for visiting, and more.Slide Hill Park has produced numerous interesting finds, including Mountain Chickadee, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, and Evening Grosbeak. Take the Mace Boulevard exit from Interstate 80 (ten miles west of Sacramento). Head north on Mace Boulevard (which will become East Covell Boulevard) for 1.8 miles and turn left on Monarch Lane. Turn right on Temple Drive in 0.1 mile and park in the lot or along the street. The trees in the surrounding neighborhood can be just as productive as those in the park. eBird Sightings
North Davis Ponds is a small area of wetlands and trees that can be covered fairly quickly. There is a boardwalk that provides access to different views of the wetlands. When conditions are right, shorebirds can allow very close study. It is a good place to look for Short-billed Dowitchers among the common Long-billed Dowitchers and Lesser Yellowlegs among the Greater Yellowlegs. A Ruff was once found here among the dowitchers. Take the Mace Boulevard exit from Interstate 80 (10 miles west of Sacramento). Head north on Mace Boulevard (which will become East Covell Boulevard), and in 3.5 miles, turn right on F Street. In 0.9 mile, turn left on Anderson Road and left into the parking lot. eBird Sightings
Long-billed Dowitcher, Image by Ray Rozema
North Davis Farms is another very productive site. It can be excellent in migration. Take the Mace Boulevard exit from Interstate 80 (ten miles west of Sacramento). Head north on Mace Boulevard (which will become East Covell Boulevard), and in 4.2 miles, turn right on Anderson Road. In 0.6 mile, turn left on Falcon Avenue, then turn right on Goshawk Street and left on Kestrel Place. Park and walk past the end of the street, and cross the channel on the foot bridge. There are a lot of good trees to check, but you shouldn’t miss those along the pond to your right. Also walk west along North Davis Farms Road to check the other pond. You can turn right on Northfield Court and walk to the end. Currently, birders check the trees on the north side of the vacant lot, but access there may change. eBird Sightings
Willowbank Ditch is another small park gem that often provides excellent birding, especially in migration. Take the Mace Boulevard exit from Interstate 80 (ten miles west of Sacramento). Turn left over the freeway, and head south for 1.0 mile on Mace Boulevard. Turn right onto Montgomery Avenue, then, in 0.2 mile, turn right on Rosario Street. Park near the end of Rosario Street, and walk the bridge that crosses the Putah Creek channel. A Pacific Wren is sometimes here in winter. The trail goes in both directions along the nice stand of trees, but is generally more productive to the west. eBird Sightings
Chris Conard