Yolo County is an extraordinary place to bird in any season. Based on the 2019 revision of the Checklist of the Birds of Yolo County (link forthcoming), 370 species of birds have been documented in the county.
At the western border of the county, the Blue Ridge Mountains rise 3,000 feet above the floor of the Sacramento Valley. The higher ridges are clothed in dense, evergreen chaparral. Oaks and foothill pines dominate the cooler canyons and north-facing slopes, while expanses of oak savannah spread across the lower foothills. Cache and Putah Creeks flow through steep-sided gorges of these mountains and then meander into the lowlands. In many places the creeks appear as ribbons of tall trees and attract forest-dwelling birds in migration. Orchards and farmland cover most of the ground between the hills and the Sacramento River, which is the eastern border of the county. As the state’s longest river, it acts as a natural flyway for migrating birds. Alongside the river lies the Yolo Bypass, home to one of California’s largest wetlands.
We have divided the county into four regions, as illustrated in the following diagram, to help describe popular locations to bird.
Toggle open the folders below for details and resources for some of our favorite places to go birding in Yolo County.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
(Deb Ford)
(Steve Hampton)
Considered a Globally Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, YBWA consists primarily of seasonal and permanent freshwater wetlands, but also supports grassland and riparian woodland. Large tracts are managed for shorebirds in July and August, and they may be present during at other times as well.
It is probably the best place in North America to find Ruff, with at least one found almost every year. Least Bittern and Grasshopper Sparrow, while difficult to detect, are annual breeders. The list of rarities, including several from Asia, is extensive.
Auto tour loop and hiking trails. Porta-potties at several parking areas. Open sunrise to sunset year-around. Some areas closed to general public during hunting season. Tours, bat-walks, educational programs offered by Yolo Basin Foundation.
Davis Wetlands
(Deb Ford)
Restored wetlands that provide wildlife habitat, flood control, and stormwater treatment.
From late June to September, some of the ponds are managed for shorebird migration, producing mudflats teeming with shorebirds, as well as fair numbers of other waterbirds. In winter, thousands of ducks inhabit the ponds. Yellow-headed Blackbirds often nest in summer.
Feb 16 to Aug 31: Open 7am to 1pm; 7 days/week
Sept 1 to Feb 15: Open 7am to 1pm; Mondays only
Putah Creek Riparian Reserve
(Deb Ford)
Natural riparian and grassland ecosystems. Shady creekside hiking trails. Several access/parking points. Excellent for spring/fall migrating warblers and other songbirds year-round. Western Bluebird 'nest box highway'. Map of the reserve.
Babel Slough
(Deb Ford)
Riparian-slough habitat along a quiet, tree-lined levee road. Cultivated fields on either side. Good for songbirds, migrating warblers, Wood Duck. Sandhill Cranes and grazing waterfowl in adjacent winter fields.
South of West Sacramento just off South River Road. Because parking is prohibited on Babel Slough Road, it is best to park on South River Road and walk west along Babel Slough Road, birding as you walk. While traffic is light, exercise caution when standing in the road.
Bridgeway Island Pond
(Deb Ford)
This West Sacramento neighborhood pond and the adjacent grasslands and shipping channel yield a variety of interesting birds. In winter, expect over a hundred Blue-winged Teal, probably the largest gathering in northern California. In summer, lucky birders may pick out a Least Bittern in the reeds.
Access the pond off the Pender Island Street cul-de-sac. Walkable trail from there. Hike up to the levee for shipping channel birds.
Grasslands Regional Park
(Deb Ford)
This 320-acre county park protects grassland, seasonal wetland, vernal pool ecosystems, and Burrowing Owl habitat. It is exceptional for flycatchers, with seven Empidonax recorded there. It may host extraordinary numbers of Swainson’s Thrushes in early May.
Because this is an archery park, it is best birded on weekday mornings before 9AM. Walk the lines of trees and shrubs bordering the archery lanes. Always walk towards the targets and never suddenly appear behind one.
Restrooms and picnic area; the park host is happy to answer questions.
UC-Davis Arboretum
(Deb Ford)
A variety of habitat, demonstration gardens and scientific collections. A large linear pond is located in the former Putah Creek channel. Although it has not been been connected to Putah Creek for over a century, the largest trees are remnant oaks that were once part of the riparian forest along the creek.
Accessible trails. Restrooms and drinking fountains. Campus parking fee during the week. Parking is free on the weekends. Arboretum is open all day/night. The east end of the Arboretum, which is especially attractive to hummingbirds, is accessible from the Davis Commons shopping center.
City of Davis: popular birding spots
The city of Davis is a very walk-able, bike-able community. Miles of greenbelts and pedestrian/bicycle paths link neighborhoods and public spaces. City of Davis Bike Map (also useful for walk-able routes).
(Deb Ford)
West Davis Ponds: Paved greenbelt trail. Access from Isle Royale Lane and other cul-de-sacs. Location and Recent Sightings.
North Davis Farms neighborhood: Pond, woods, residential gardens. Walking path. Multiple points of access. Location and Recent Sightings.
Slide Hill Park (East Davis): Greenbelt trails and park. Multiple access points. Location and Recent Sightings.
Willowbank Ditch (South Davis): Greenbelt path. Several access points. Location and Recent Sightings.
Any outdoor activity comes with inherent risks. Know your limitations before embarking on a birding session. Have an understanding of, and prepare for, possible personal and environmental hazards you may encounter (uneven/challenging terrain, insects, toxic plants, animals, unpredictable weather conditions, etc.). Don't leave valuable items in unattended vehicles. Yolo Audubon makes no explicit or implied assumption of safety for birders at any of the above birding locations.
Putah Creek Nature Park (Winters)
(Deb Ford)
Restored riparian habitat. The trees and shrubs along Putah Creek are excellent for raptors, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Restoration of this section of Putah Creek is ongoing; learn more about the project here.
Parking and trail access are located next to the Winters Community Center; trails run both upstream and downstream. The trail downstream is wheelchair accessible. Restrooms and food available nearby in town.
Lake Solano County Park
(Deb Ford)
Technically this park is located in Solano County, but the Yolo/Solano county line runs down the middle of the lake and creek. You can nab birds for your Yolo County list when they are located on the north side of the water.
In winter, check the lake for diving ducks, especially Common and Barrow’s Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. Falcons, Osprey, and Double-crested Cormorants roost on snags in the lake. Phainopepla is regular around the Pleasants Valley Rd bridge. “Myrtle” Yellow-rumped Warbler is common in winter.
Restrooms, trails, several picnic areas. Campground. Daily user fee.
Putah Creek Fishing Access #1 to #5
(Deb Ford)
There are several access points for Putah Creek located along CA Hwy 128. Trails traverse grassland or wooded habitat on the way to the creek. Note: some trails to creek have steep sections.
Acorn Woodpeckers are conspicuous all year long, as are Bullock’s Orioles in the spring. Less common species include Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Pygmy-Owl, and Pacific Wren. Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Rock Wren, and Canyon Wren may be found on the steeper slopes north of the road. Lesser Goldfinch, Lark Sparrow, Say's Phoebe, and Western Bluebirds frequent the open grasslands. Ospreys often perch along the creek. Bald and Golden Eagles may occasionally be observed overhead. In winter, Hooded Mergansers and Barrow’s Goldeneyes frequent the creek
Parking available at all five fishing access points; restrooms/picnic tables available at some of them. The are other informal pullouts along CA 128. Traffic moves quickly on the highway; use caution.
Monticello Dam
(Deb Ford)
Yolo, Solano, and Napa counties converge in this area...the trifecta for county-listing birders. Explore hiking trails under the dam and downstream to maximize bird sightings. View/scope for birds from the dam itself. Although the dam is in Napa county, the hills on the north side of the outflow are in Yolo County.
Try for Canyon Wren (year-round) and American Dipper (winter). Peregrine Falcons can be seen hunting from the cliffs.
Parking, porta-potties at Stebbins Cold Canyon trailhead. Parking at the dam overlook.
Any outdoor activity comes with inherent risks. Know your limitations before embarking on a birding session. Have an understanding of, and prepare for, possible personal and environmental hazards you may encounter (uneven/challenging terrain, insects, toxic plants, animals, unpredictable weather conditions, etc.). Don't leave valuable items in unattended vehicles. Yolo Audubon makes no explicit or implied assumption of safety for birders at any of the above birding locations.
Dunnigan Hills
(Deb Ford)
Sandwiched between I-5 to the east and the Capay Hills to the west, the grasslands of these rolling hills are good places to look for less common raptors in winter, such as Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, and Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks. Other open country species such as Mountain Plover, Greater Roadrunner, Mountain Bluebird, Vesper Sparrow, and longspurs are occasionally found.
Explore a variety of paved and gravel county roads to maximize your sightings.
Capay Open Space Park
(Deb Ford)
Small community park situated alongside Cache Creek. Located on Rd 85 just north of town of Capay. Parking, restrooms.
Summer evenings are good for Lesser Nighthawks.
Capay Valley
(Deb Ford)
The Capay Valley has become associated with organic and sustainable farming. The valley is especially good for raptors. Though erratic, Lawrence’s Goldfinches may be present in any season. Watch for Prairie Falcon, Lewis’s Woodpecker, and Say’s Phoebe in winter.
Several quiet, 'no outlet' roads off CA Hwy 16 provide productive birding opportunities. A few are listed below; the road numbers get smaller has you head northwest up the valley.
Road 53 (Guinda)
(Deb Ford)
A four mile hike through several types of habitat rewards the intrepid birder. Gated, gravel road for local vehicles only. Park off-road and walk or bike in using the gate stile. Much more about the road, hike, and area is here, courtesy of Tuleyome.
Significant sections along this road were burned in the destructive 2019 County Fire.
Cache Creek Regional Park Area
(Deb Ford)
Farther up Cache Creek Canyon are more birding adventures.
Cache Creek Regional Park has easily accessible places to bird at their Day Use and Campground areas. Keep an eye out for the occasional Bald Eagle or Pileated Woodpecker.
Recent Sightings: Cache Creek Regional Park Day Use Area
Recent Sightings: Cache Creek Regional Park Campground
Road 40/Rayhouse Road is great gravel road to hike/bike and bird. Pine-oak woodland at middle to lower elevations attracts large numbers of migrant songbirds during the spring, and has Northern Pygmy-owls all year. The top of the ridge is excellent for chaparral species such as Common Poorwill and Bell’s Sparrow. All you need to know about the hike and area is here, courtesy of Tuleyome.
Recent Sightings: Rayhouse Road
The Blue Ridge Trail North trailhead is also accessed from Road 40. All you need to know about this challenging hike is here, courtesy of Tuleyome.
Any outdoor activity comes with inherent risks. Know your limitations before embarking on a birding session. Have an understanding of, and prepare for, possible personal and environmental hazards you may encounter (uneven/challenging terrain, insects, toxic plants, animals, unpredictable weather conditions, etc.). Don't leave valuable items in unattended vehicles. Yolo Audubon makes no explicit or implied assumption of safety for birders at any of the above birding locations.
Woodland Davis Clean Water Agency & Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant
(Deb Ford)
(Steve Hampton)
The stormwater retention and evaporation ponds at these two neighboring facilities attract a host of waterbirds and shorebirds, depending on water levels. The ponds are known for Bonaparte's and Mew Gulls in winter, Black Terns in early May, and phalaropes and other shorebirds in migration. The levees to the south host Black-bellied Plovers in fall and winter and may include both golden-plovers.
The North Regional Pond (on the north side of the access road) is open all the time to birders. Vehicles may park along the west side of the pond.
On the south side of the drive, access to the evaporation ponds is limited to Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, though the first pond may be viewed from the parking area at any time. Look for the small gravel "birder parking” area, sign-in, and bird only in designated areas.
Farmers Central (East Regional) Pond
(Deb Ford)
Permanent pond bordered by grassland and seasonal wetland habitat. Easy walking trails with overlooks to pond.
Parking, no restrooms. (Officially named 'East Regional Pond' by the city.)
Road 25/Conaway Ranch
(Deb Ford)
Rice fields and sloughs attract egrets, herons, raptors and winter waterfowl. This 17,000-acre ranch is privately owned; bird/scope from pulloffs along the public county roads. Respect the No Trespassing signage.
Road 124 & Sacramento Bypass Wildlife Area
(Deb Ford)
Wedged between the Sacramento River and the Yolo Bypass, Rd 124 is best in the winter. Fallow fields may be filled with curlews or other open field birds, while large sparrow flocks frequent roadside ditches. When the bypass is flooded, thousands of diving ducks may be easily viewed.
At its southern end, Rd 124 becomes Rd 126. The large open area to the south is the Sacramento Bypass, which connects the Sacramento River with the Yolo Bypass. Best access to the riparian forest strip is from the west end of Rd 126, where it drops off the levee. Continue west along the water side of the levee for about half a mile. The forest can be excellent for songbirds in spring and fall migration, and is perhaps the most reliable spot in the county for Yellow-breasted Chat in fall. Hunting is allowed here.
Directions and more information.
Gray's Bend
(Deb Ford)
This site was once a bend in the Sacramento River. Today, it is an oxbow lake bordered by mature riparian forest and oak woodland and surrounded by agricultural fields. It is an excellent spot to observe the breeding, wintering, and migrant birds typical of these habitats.
The oxbow lake is at the east end of Rd 16, when approached from Rd 102, where there is a T-intersection. Birding may be done in either direction. The area is predominantly private property, but birding from the road is easy, as traffic is usually very light.
Fremont Weir Wildlife Area
(Steve Hampton)
A 1,500-acre wildlife area providing a variety of habitat for birds. Hunting is allowed here.
It is recommended that access be obtained on the EAST side of the weir via Road 16. West side access is currently compromised.
During periods of heavy rainfall, this area may be inaccessible due to flooding of the bypass. Research before you go.
Cache Creek Conservancy Preserve
(Deb Ford)
A 130-acre complex of wetlands, oak woodlands, grasslands, and creek-side habitat situated in the Cache Creek watershed.
Parking, porta-potties, visitor center. Open weekdays, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Plainfield School Area
(Deb Ford)
The alfalfa fields dotted around Plainfield Elementary School yield significant numbers of Red-tailed Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks and other raptors in winter months. Short-eared Owls are occasionally noted.
Park well off road, being mindful of post-rain muddy conditions.
Any outdoor activity comes with inherent risks. Know your limitations before embarking on a birding session. Have an understanding of, and prepare for, possible personal and environmental hazards you may encounter (uneven/challenging terrain, insects, toxic plants, animals, unpredictable weather conditions, etc.). Don't leave valuable items in unattended vehicles. Yolo Audubon makes no explicit or implied assumption of safety for birders at any of the above birding locations.
Those are just some of our favorite ideas to help get you started. There are dozens of other birding hotspots scattered around Yolo County. Use eBird’s ‘Explore’ function to discover other places to find birds. Or simply go birding where you…and the birds…are.
Some portions of text authored by: Yolo Audubon Society Checklist Committee. 2018. Checklist of the Birds of Yolo County, California. Revised 2018. Yolo Audubon Society, Davis, CA.