How to Watch Fall Migratory Birds in California

The Pacific Flyway runs along the California coast, making California one of the best places in the country for observing fall migration.

Things You'll Need

• Birding Checklists
• Maps
• Travel Guides
• Binoculars
• Spotting Scopes

Instructions

1. Buy a book on California birding. Using it as a guide, map out a route that will include the best birding areas.

2. Concentrate on shorebirds in early fall (July-September). Visit coastal estuaries, river mouths, mudflats and sewage treatment plants.

3. Take a pelagic trip out of Monterey Bay or Bodega Bay. Thousands of migrating seabirds (including a few very rare ones) make this the perfect time to go sea-birding.

4. Take a boat out of Ventura to see the Island Scrub-Jay on Santa Cruz Island, in the Channel Islands National Park. This bird is not found anywhere else in the world.

5. Start looking for migrating passerines in early September. Coastal migrant traps with riparian habitat are generally the most productive.

Tips & Warnings

• You can see the Island Scrub-Jay at any time of year.

• Well-known locations for fall shorebirding are Upper Newport Bay in Orange County, Malibu Lagoon, the Santa Clara River Estuary in Ventura County, the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria river mouths in Santa Barbara County and further up the coast, Morro Bay, Monterey, Point Reyes and Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.

• In addition to some of the above locations, coastal creeks are also good for fall passerines.

• If you need advice on the best birding spots or directions, local birders are generally willing to help. Call the local chapter of the Audubon Society.

• If you find a rare bird for California, make sure you report it to one of the area's rare bird alerts (RBAs).

• Remember that many species of birds are going to be in drab or "basic" plumage in fall, making identification more difficult. Study your field guide.