Last updated: April 5, 2024
Thing to Do
Birding at Point Reyes National Seashore
NPS / A. Kopshever
Point Reyes National Seashore offers some of the finest birding in the United States. Nearly 490 avian species—or 54% of all North American bird species—have been observed in the park and on adjacent waters. Point Reyes National Seashore claims the prize for the greatest avian diversity of any national park.
The park's coastal location and its wealth of unspoiled habitats, estuaries, grasslands, coastal scrub, and forest all attract many migrating and wintering birds. The projection of the peninsula some 10 miles seaward from the "mainland" makes Point Reyes National Seashore a landing spot for many vagrants—birds that may have made errors in navigation and thus are unexpected in this area.
Download the Birds of Point Reyes National Seashore species list (205 KB PDF, Adobe® Acrobat Reader® may be need to view PDFs).
Discover more by visiting the park's Birds page.
Details
Duration
1-8 Hours
Activity
Birdwatching
Age(s)
All ages.
Pets Allowed
No
Pets are prohibited at most of the best birding locations due to the negative impact pets have on birds and other wildlife. Visit the park's Pets page to learn more about where pets are welcome at Point Reyes National Seashore.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes Station, California
Best Places to View Birds
Please note: employee housing as well as park administrative, maintenance, operations, and storage facilities, including, but not limited, to access roads, outbuildings, grounds, and docks, are closed to public use.
Bear Valley
A great variety of land birds frequent the numerous habitats along the trails over Inverness Ridge to the ocean—warblers, sparrows, kinglets, thrushes, wrens, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and owls.
Geographic Coordinates: 38.0412, -122.8002
Giacomini Wetlands
Since the levees surrounding this former cattle pasture were breached in 2008, many species of shorebirds and waterfowl have returned to this area at the head of Tomales Bay. Look for American wigeon, Bufflehead, Green-winged teal, American coot, Wilson's Snipe, California Black Rail, sandpipers, egrets, and more in the wetlands and marshes, and Osprey, Northern Harriers, White-tailed Kite, and maybe even a Bald Eagle or two flying over the wetlands searching for food.
Geographic Coordinates: 38.0671, -122.8078 or 38.0785, -122.8325
Limantour
A variety of habitats converge in the Limantour area, resulting in an abundance of birds species. Look for wading birds in the marshes, waterfowl on the ponds, shorebirds on the beach, brown pelicans cruising over the breakers, and birds of prey soaring over dunes and wetlands.
Geographic Coordinates: 38.0288, -122.8822
Bolinas Lagoon
Bolinas Lagoon attracts cormorants, pelicans, kingfishers, and a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. Audubon Canyon Ranch's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve protects heron and egret rookeries.
Geographic Coordinates: 37.9252, -122.6763
Five Brooks Pond
In winter, green-backed heron, hooded merganser, ring-necked duck, and grebes can be seen. In grasses and trees, watch for pileated woodpeckers, swallows, accipiters, warblers, and thrushes.
Geographic Coordinates: 37.9974, -122.7579
Abbotts Lagoon
Excellent for winter ducks and raptors. Black-shouldered kites are commonly seen in winter and fall. This is also a sensitive nesting area for the threatened western snowy plover. Please tread carefully on the sandy beaches during the spring and early summer months.
Geographic Coordinates: 38.1235, -122.9355
Estero Trail
An old pine plantation provides winter roosting habitat for long-eared and great-horned owls. Look for water and shore birds such as great egrets, great blue herons, and loons in the Estero. Watch for hawks above the grasslands.
Geographic Coordinates: 38.0815, -122.9141
Lighthouse Rocks and Cliff Areas
Brown pelicans in fall, numerous pelagic and migrating species in spring. Some of the most common spring pelagics include pelagic and Brandt's cormorants, common murres, pigeon guillemots, loons and surf scoters. Keep your eyes open for black oystercatchers all year. Peregrine falcons are occasionally observed.
Geographic Coordinates: 37.9978, -123.0121
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
While birds may be seen at Point Reyes year-round, the greatest numbers of birds are observed migrating north in March, April, and May, and migrating south from August through December.
Summer
Although there is very little rain during summer months, there is often dense fog throughout the day in July, August, and September with temperatures along the coast often in the 60°s F (16–21°C).
Fall
The coastal areas of Point Reyes experience some of the clearest days in late September, October and early November. The occasional storm will start rolling through in late October, bringing clouds, wind, and rain. The strongest winds occur in November and December during occasional southerly gales.
Winter
The heaviest rainfall occurs in the winter months. Come prepared for rain and drizzle to possibly last for several days. In between winter rains, it is often sunny, calm, and cool.
Spring
Most spring days are windy and this area frequently experiences fresh to strong breezes. Expect cool temperatures in March. By late May and early June, temperatures can be quite pleasant, even warm.
Time of Day
Any Time
While Point Reyes National Seashore may be open for day use from 6 am to midnight, viewing birds and other wildlife with the use of artificial lights is prohibited.
Accessibility Information
Outlooks, trails, and beaches vary in degree of accessibility. Contact the visitor center for more information on each specific area.