City of Sacramento Urban Birding Tour

This tour of urban parks begins in William Land Park and continues south. From Interstate 5, exit at Sutterville Road and turn left. After crossing the overpass, go right at the sign for Riverside Boulevard which then circles around to head north to William Land Park. From William Land Park continue the tour south to the other urban parks.

William Land Park

Although most of the area south of William Land Park has been taken over as a residential area, the birding is surprisingly good in the few remaining natural spots. Probably the best is the “panhandle” along Riverside Boulevard between 11th and 13th Avenues.

Red-naped Sapsucker, Image by Ray Rozema

Birding the site: Large conifers, and berry-laden shrubs and trees attract winter flocks of American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, and American Goldfinch. Red-breasted Sapsucker is usually present and Red-naped and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have been seen in the area. Hutton’s Vireo can usually be found in the evergreen oaks. This is as good a place as any in Sacramento to look for wintering Varied Thrush (under the redwoods), Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend’s Warbler, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin. eBird Sightings

Directions to William Land Park: From downtown Sacramento, take Interstate 5 for 2.0 miles south of Highway 50 and exit at Sutterville Road and turn left. After crossing the overpass, go right at the sign for Riverside Boulevard which then circles around to head north to William Land Park.

From the William Land Park, proceed south on Riverside Boulevard. Turn left at 43rd Avenue to Gloria Drive and turn right. Parking is available in the park and along Gloria Drive. The nature trail begins east of the Sump 55 building to the south of the parking lot.

Reichmuth Park

Purple Finch, Image by Daniel Lee Brown

Reichmuth Park, formerly an oxbow lake, is now playing fields and a swampy, wooded nature area. The low-lying soccer fields revert to a lake in rainy winters, attracting California, Ring-billed and Short-billed Gulls. When dry, they attract American Crow, Blackbirds, American Pipit and American Robin. In recent years, the City of Sacramento approved an agreement with a Frisbee golf club to open the park to this activity. Large areas of previously dense habitat have been removed opening up the trails to allow for Frisbee golf. Consider visiting during the week as weekends can be very busy.

Birding the site: The nature area, for its size, is one of the great magnets for migrating landbirds in the Sacramento area.  Sixteen warbler species have been recorded here, including all of the West Coast species plus Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Hooded Warbler, and Canada Warbler. Warbling Vireo, Western Tanager, Pacific-Slope Flycatcher, and Willow Flycatcher are common migrants and Olive-sided, Hammond’s, and Dusky flycatchers are also regular migrants. Hutton’s and Cassin’s vireos migrate through and occasionally overwinter. Hooded Oriole nesting in the fan palms in nearby yards bring their families to the park in August and September. Swainson’s Thrush skulk through the thickets in May. Lazuli Bunting feed in the tall grasses in August and September. Hummingbirds are ever present: Anna’s year-round; Black-chinned in spring and summer. Watch for their nests low in the blackberries. Rufous/Allen’s types migrate from July through September. Winter visitors include Wood Duck, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned hawks, thrushes, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Orange-crowned Warbler, many sparrows, and Purple Finch. Resident birds are: Red-shouldered Hawk, Downy and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Bewick’s and House Wrens, Northern Mockingbird, Spotted Towhee, and House Finch. Careful scrutiny of the park’s birdlife at almost any season is bound to reveal something interesting. Close to this location, from March through the summer, Northern Rough-winged Swallow nest in drain holes where Riverside Boulevard, Seamas, 35th and 43rd Avenues pass under Interstate 5. eBird Sightings

Directions to Reichmuth Park: From the William Land Park, proceed south on Riverside Boulevard. Turn left at 43rd Avenue to Gloria Drive and turn right. Parking is available in the park and along Gloria Drive. The nature trail begins east of the Sump 55 building to the south of the parking lot.

From Reichmuth Park proceed to Greenhaven Lake. Take Shoreside Drive south (0.7 mile west of I-5), and turn left on Lake Vista Court. There are 3 parcels on this street where you can look through hog-wire fencing to view the lake.

Greenhaven Lake

Ring-necked Duck, Image by Chris Conard

Public access has been diminished to the point where it's no longer a great birding destination, but worth a check if you're in the area. In fall and winter, large flocks of Common Merganser (a Red-breasted Merganser may occasionally be found), Ruddy Duck, Gulls (mostly California and Ring-billed, but occasionally Short-billed, Herring, and Iceland) plus occasional Western and Clark’s Grebes, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and other water birds may be found. Green Heron and Belted Kingfisher forage along the shoreline, and Caspian Tern visits in the spring and summer. eBird Sightings

Directions to Greenhaven Lake: Take Shoreside Drive south from Riverside Boulevard (0.7 mile west of I-5), and turn left on Lake Vista Court. There are 3 parcels on this street where you can look through hog-wire fencing to view the lake.

From Greenhaven Lake proceed to Garcia Bend Park. Continue south on Riverside Boulevard, which turns into Pocket Road. Garcia Bend Park will be on your right opposite Windbridge Drive. To go directly to Garcia Bend, exit Interstate 5 at Pocket Road (6.0 miles south of Highway 50) and head west for 1.9 miles; the park will be on your left. For Marriott Park, from Pocket Road just west of Interstate 5, go south on Greenhaven Road for 0.2 mi, then turn left and drive 0.2 mi east on Grand River Drive to the park.

Garcia Bend Park and Marriott Park

Caspian Tern, Image by Ray Rozema

Garcia Bend Park is worth a visit in spring and fall to look for migrating landbirds in the riparian growth and Caspian or Forster’s Terns over the river. In winter, check for waterbirds you may have missed at Greenhaven Lake (described above) or River Lake (access via West Shore and East Shore drives north of Pocket Road). Marriott Park has large valley oaks that attract migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers and others in spring. eBird Sightings - Garcia Bend Park, Marriott Park

Directions to Garcia Bend Park: From the Greenhaven Lake, continue south on Riverside Boulevard, which turns into Pocket Road. Garcia Bend Park will be on your right opposite Windbridge Drive. To go directly to Garcia Bend, exit Interstate 5 at Pocket Road (6.0 miles south of Highway 50) and head west for 1.9 miles; the park will be on your left. For Marriott Park, from Pocket Road just west of Interstate 5, go south on Greenhaven Road for 0.2 mi, then turn left and drive 0.2 mi east on Grand River Drive to the park.

From Garcia Bend Park proceed to Chorley Park. From the intersection of Interstate 5 and Pocket Rd to the west and Meadowview Road to the east, drive 0.25 mi east on Meadowview Rd. Turn left and head north on Freeport Boulevard to Florin Road. Turn right and go east on Florin Rd to 20th Street. Turn left and drive north 1 block to the park. Walk west from the parking lot, behind the playing field and elementary school, to an area of weeds, willows and cottonwoods. Returning to Freeport Boulevard, continue north, back into southern Sacramento. You will pass Sacramento Executive Airport, which has a long history of harboring Burrowing Owl, though they have been much reduced and more sporadic in recent years. These birds may occasionally be seen along the drainage ditch between Freeport Boulevard and the airport, especially in the first few hours after sunrise and again a few hours before dark.

Chorley Park

White-Tailed Kites have nested in Chorley Park, Image by Daniel Lee Brown

Chorley Park is a small city park that harbors migrating land birds and nesting White-tailed Kite in spring. This area consists of weeds, willows, and cottonwood trees. eBird Sightings

Directions to Chorley Park: From the intersection of Interstate 5 and Pocket Rd to the west and Meadowview Road to the east, drive 0.25 mi east on Meadowview Rd. Turn left and head north on Freeport Boulevard to Florin Road. Turn right and go east on Florin Rd to 20th Street. Turn left and drive north 1 block to the park. Walk west from the parking lot, behind the playing field and elementary school, to an area of weeds, willows and cottonwoods. Returning to Freeport Boulevard, continue north, back into southern Sacramento. You will pass Sacramento Executive Airport, which has a long history of harboring Burrowing Owls, though they have been much reduced and more sporadic in recent years. These birds may occasionally be seen along the drainage ditch between Freeport Boulevard and the airport, especially in the first few hours after sunrise and again a few hours before dark.

Tim Manolis

Hansen Ranch Park Preserve

If you have never been to Hansen Ranch, you are in for a treat. A leisurely walk on the levee above the pond shows the preserve's many unique qualities. In addition to heron and egret rookeries in the spring, year-round grassland species, and a variety of waterfowl and hawks in the winter, this is excellent habitat for rails which can be heard regularly as you walk along the marsh.

The Walter S. Ueda Parkway (AKA Wolf Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary)

Wolf Ranch has seen a significant increase in bird species and diversity over the years, increasing from 58 species recorded in 2001 to 139 species reported in eBird as of April 2024. The creek is host to egrets, heron, and other wading birds and shorebirds. The restored wetlands in the winter host a variety of waterfowl. Throughout hawks, kestrel and shrike have been known to dot the telephone poles and fence posts.

Tanzanite Community Park

Tanzanite Park is a good place for a leisurely walk where a wide variety of grassland are possible. In winter, several species of raptors, including falcons, may also be observed along with herons, egrets, waterfowl, and shorebirds.

North Natomas

Because of its varied habitat, a large variety of birds may be seen in North Natomas. Hawks and blackbirds inhabit the grasslands. In the right season shorebirds, ducks, geese and swans fill the rice fields. Riparian areas are rife with titmice and woodpeckers year-round and migrant warblers in spring and fall.

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge south of Sacramento is beautifully designed for families with small children and those with mobility challenges as it offers a wide, level cement trail that loops through the Refuge.

Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Bufferlands

The Bufferlands is an island of open space between South Sacramento and Elk Grove. Currently there is no unguided public access, but information on the numerous public tours can be found on the Bufferlands Event Calendar. Bird-focused tours are also offered on occasion with the Sacramento Audubon Society, check out our Calendar of Events for upcoming tours.

Laguna Creek Parkway Trail

Situated between housing on the north and south, this trail meanders along the creek and marshy areas and is bordered by urban plantings including many oaks. The diversity hosts a nice variety of birds such as ducks, herons, passerines and sparrows, with unexpected species always a possibility.

Cosumnes River Preserve

The more than 45,000 acres around the Cosumnes River that make up the Cosumnes River Preserve have been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area with more than 300 species recorded. Here you will find a wide variety of habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, wildlife-friendly agriculture, and perhaps the most intact valley oak riparian forest in existence.

Rancho Seco Recreational Area and the Howard Ranch Trail

The Rancho Seco Recreational Area consists of a reservoir lined with riparian vegetation and a campground and day use area with planted trees and lawn. It has the potential to serve as a migrant trap, since the surrounding habitat is open grassland. It also provides the only public access to the Howard Ranch—a 12,000-acre preserve of grasslands, vernal pools, and oak woodlands.

Sherman Island and the Sacramento County Delta

This seldom visited portion of Sacramento County, including Sherman Island and Brannan Island, has enormous potential. There can be thousands of waterfowl, and many raptors, shorebirds, sparrows, and blackbirds (including Yellow-headed and Tricolored) with a diversity of rarities showing up over the years.

Mather Regional Park

Mather Regional Park is a 64-acre lake surrounded by 158 acres of riparian habitat, upland scrub, seasonal wetland and annual grassland. With just under 200 species recorded at this site, it is a year-round favorite among local birders.

White Rock and Payen Roads

Vast grassland expanses and rolling hills provide excellent opportunities to look for Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Falcons, and other winter raptors. Payen Road has few cars and allows a leisurely visit.

Scott Road

This area is primarily open grasslands interspersed with oaks hosting a wonderful variety of passerines and raptors. The area is of particular interest from the first fall rains until the water dries up (normally in June).  

Latrobe Road (Deer Creek Hills)

With a mix of blue oak woodland, savanna, and expansive grasslands, a trip along Latrobe Road has a diversity of habitats and a real sense of remoteness. It is the possibility of less common sightings that often draw birders to this location including: Lawrence’s Goldfinches, Band-tailed Pigeons, a Hairy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jays, Greater Roadrunner, and Northern Pygmy-Owl.

Michigan Bar Road

Michigan Bar Road is another location where the possibility of less common species is the draw, with Hairy Woodpeckers, Steller’s Jays, Band-tailed Pigeons, American Dipper, and Lawrence’s Goldfinches all rare but possible.

Bridgeway Island Pond

This year-round pond in West Sacramento near the eastern edge of the Yolo Causeway is one of the best places in California to see Blue-winged Teal each fall and winter. While year-round resident Black-necked Stilts and Avocets breed here in the spring.

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (aka the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area)

This Global-Priority Level Important Bird Area (IBA) now contains more than 25,000 acres and is just minutes from downtown Sacramento. Both seasonal and permanent wetlands are present as well as riparian woodland and valley grassland, providing habitat for a large variety of birds.