Mather Regional Park is a 64-acre lake surrounded by 158 acres of riparian habitat, upland scrub, seasonal wetland and annual grassland. The Mather Park Land Use Plan designates the north, east and south sides of the Lake as a wildlife preserve. Access may change over time. Presently, the entrance is on the west side of the lake and is known as the Mather Regional Park, which is managed by the County of Sacramento. The area is open to the public for fishing and wildlife viewing from dawn to dusk.
Northern House Wren, Image by Mary Forrestal
Birding the site: Bird species present year-round include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Bushtit, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Gallinule, White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl. Regular nesters have included Western Kingbird, Bullock’s Oriole, Ash-throated Flycatcher and Nuttall’s Woodpecker. Winter visitors regularly include Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback and Mallard. Summer sightings bring Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron and American Bittern. Western Tanager, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler and Yellow Warbler can be seen during spring and fall migration. Bird species counts range from 30 in the winter to 50 per day in the spring. Mammals spotted include river otters, muskrats and coyotes. eBird Sightings
To learn more about the accessibility of this location visit Accessible Birding.
Mather Lake Regional Park Trail Map
Directions: Exit Highway 50 at Sunrise Boulevard (14 miles from downtown Sacramento at Interstate 5) and go south for 3.8 miles. Turn right on Douglas Road, drive 1.0 mile, turn left on Eagle’s Nest Road for 0.2 mile, then turn left into the park. There is currently a fee of $7 per vehicle. A $70 annual vehicle pass (also valid for the American River Parkway and other Sacramento County parks) can be purchased from the Sacramento County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Wayne Blunk