This area is located on the south bank of the American River, bordered on the west and north by the river and on the east and south by a man-made levee. The habitat in the center and northern part of the park consists mostly of interior live oak, valley oak, and California black walnut; whereas, along the west side in the floodplain area, Fremont cottonwood, California black walnut, white alder, and several willow species are dominant. A large expanse of open area is found along the center and the eastern side. Several large gray pines are located in the picnic area and a stand of eucalyptus trees is present just east of where the bicycle trail bisects the main access road into the area. The park has a variety of habitats to offer the visitor with trails throughout the park that visitors can take to look for wildlife and plants.
Red-shouldered Hawk, Image by Craig Swolgaard
Birding the site: Along the American River, look for Common Goldeneye, Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Goose, Mallard, and Common Merganser. Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, and Spotted Sandpiper can be found along the gravel shorelines of the floodplain. Pied-billed Grebe, Wood Duck, Mallard, and Green Heron are found in the quiet, sheltered stretches of the river. Look for Belted Kingfisher, Black Phoebe, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows along the edges of the river.
In the riparian woodlands, watch for Red-shouldered Hawk, California Quail, Anna’s Hummingbird, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Bewick’s Wren, Northern House Wren, Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. Black-tailed deer are found where the understory consists mostly of blackberry brambles.
In the oak woodlands, watch for Red-shouldered Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk, Wild Turkey, Mourning Dove, Great Horned Owl, Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, California Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick’s Wren, Northern House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hutton’s Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, and House Finch. Western gray squirrel, eastern fox squirrel, and black-tailed deer may be found throughout the woodlands.
In the open areas and the edges of the woodlands, watch overhead for Turkey Vulture, White-tailed Kite, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel. Lower down, look for Western Kingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, California Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, and Golden-crowned Sparrow. California ground squirrel, black-tailed jackrabbit, and desert cottontail are often found feeding around the shrubs and smaller brush. Coyotes can be found during the day in the open areas, especially in the eastern part of the park.
Below the American River Bike Trail Harold Richey Memorial bridge, look for the gourd-shaped mud nests of the Cliff Swallow. Downstream from the bridge, scan the gravel bars for Turkey Vulture, American Herring Gull, California Gull, Ring-billed Gull, especially during the salmon runs (feeding on dead salmon), Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, and Killdeer. Forster’s Terns are present here during April and May. eBird Sightings
Directions: From downtown Sacramento, take Highway 50 east for 9.5 miles from Interstate 5. Exit at Bradshaw Road and go north (left) to Folsom Boulevard. Turn right and go approximately one mile to Rod Beaudry Drive and turn left, heading north, to the park entry fee station. The American River Bike Trail crosses from William B. Pond Recreation Area via a bridge and runs generally through the southern edge of the area, turns north and proceeds east along the American River toward Rossmoor Bar Park. The entrance fee is currently $7 per vehicle (or a $70 annual pass).
Dave Johnson