10-Day Forecast | Surf Forecast
Uncommon Birds to watch for in Winter
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
American Bittern
Green Heron
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Peregrin Falcon
Common Merganser
Sooty Shearwater
American White Pelican
Common Moorhen
American Avocet
Bonaparte's Gull
Black Oystercatcher
Wilson's Snipe
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Barn Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Belted Kingfisher
White-Throated Swift
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Barn Swallow
Oak Titmouse
Say's Phoebe
House Wren
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher
Western Bluebird
Orange-crowned Warbler
Swamp Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Great-tailed Grackle
Evening Grosbeak
See the Birds By Season checklist for the entire list!
>> Request Birding & Wildlife Kit <<
Located along the Pacific Flyway on California's spectacular Central Coast, Santa Cruz County is a premier birding destination. Its rich diversity of habitats attract upwards of 400 species of resident and migratory birds. In the old-growth forest of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, you can catch sight of the Marbled Murrelet flying through the trees at dawn. You'll find Snowy Plover skittering across the sandy beaches at Pajaro Dunes. Waterfowl dive and dabble at Wetlands of Watsonville's freshwater marshes. Hummingbirds dart among the exotic flora at the Arboretum at UCSC. And at the renowned Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, you can walk the trails or kayak the waters to see over 340 different species of birds that pass through or find permanent refuge at the slough.
To request a Birding and Wildlife Guide for Santa Cruz County, click here.
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POINTS OF INTEREST / BIRD WATCHINGArboretum at UCSCA world famous public garden. Plant collections from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and California. Santa Cruz, CA | 831.427.2998 | visit web site | more info |
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Parks, BIRD WATCHINGBig Basin Redwoods State Park |
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Parks, Bird WatchingElkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research ReserveVisitor center & five miles of trails through oak woodlands, grasslands, fresh & saltwater marshes, seasonal wildlife. Watsonville, CA | 831.728.2822 | visit web site | more info |
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Bird WatchingSanta Cruz Bird ClubSanta Cruz, CA | Please see website | visit web site | more info |
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Museums, Bird WatchingWetlands of Watsonville Nature Center |
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Parks, Bird WatchingNeary Lagoon |
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Saturday & SundayDocent-led Tours of Elkhorn Slough Reserve |
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SundaysWetlands of Watsonville Nature Walks |
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1st Thursday & 3rd Sunday of every monthYounger Lagoon Reserve Tour |
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