Joshua tree against a twilight sky

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park

California · Southwest

Habitat
CanyonUrban Park
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

October-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open daily, 7:30 AM - sunset

About This Location

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park is a productive birding destination in California, with 274 species recorded on eBird. This canyon and urban park habitat attracts White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, and Nuttall's Woodpecker among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

7/20/2026Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park1 observed

California Thrasher

Toxostoma redivivum

7/20/2026God's Way Love1 observed

Cooper's Hawk

Astur cooperii

7/20/20261411 Alta Ave, Yucca Valley US-CA 34.22715, -116.360062 observed

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

7/19/2026Gamma Gulch near Pipes Canyon Rd.2 observed

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

7/18/20261627 Roadrunner Rut Rd, Yucca Valley US-CA 34.21942, -116.511226 observed

California Towhee

Melozone crissalis

7/18/20261627 Roadrunner Rut Rd, Yucca Valley US-CA 34.21942, -116.511226 observed

Canyon Wren

Catherpes mexicanus

7/18/20261627 Roadrunner Rut Rd, Yucca Valley US-CA 34.21942, -116.511221 observed

Bell's Vireo (Least)

Vireo bellii

7/18/2026Whitewater Preserve2 observed

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

7/18/2026Whitewater Preserve1 observed

Western Flycatcher

Empidonax difficilis

7/18/2026Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park1 observed

Western Flycatcher (Pacific-slope)

Empidonax difficilis

7/18/2026Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park1 observed

Black-headed Grosbeak

Pheucticus melanocephalus

7/17/2026Whitewater Canyon, Bonnie Bell1 observed

Nuttall's Woodpecker

Dryobates nuttallii

7/17/2026Whitewater Canyon, Bonnie Bell1 observed

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

7/17/2026Whitewater Canyon, Bonnie Bell1 observed

Bell's Vireo

Vireo bellii

7/17/2026Whitewater Canyon, Bonnie Bell1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Eurasian Collared-Dove

37/20/2026

White-winged Dove

57/20/2026

Anna's Hummingbird

37/20/2026

Costa's Hummingbird

97/20/2026

Red-shouldered Hawk

17/20/2026

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

17/20/2026

Say's Phoebe

17/20/2026

Vermilion Flycatcher

17/20/2026

Brown-crested Flycatcher

47/20/2026

Bell's Vireo

37/20/2026

California Scrub-Jay

47/20/2026

Oak Titmouse

17/20/2026

Verdin

77/20/2026

Bushtit

27/20/2026

Bewick's Wren

37/20/2026

California Thrasher

17/20/2026

House Finch

157/20/2026

Lesser Goldfinch

87/20/2026

California Towhee

117/20/2026

Spotted Towhee

27/20/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Listen for echoing calls of Canyon Wren and other canyon specialties.

  2. 2

    Check rocky ledges and cliff faces for nesting raptors.

  3. 3

    Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.

  4. 4

    Hummingbird feeders at nature centers and lodges attract multiple species — visit during late summer for peak diversity.

  5. 5

    Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park for birding?
The best months to visit Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park?
Notable species at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park include White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Nuttall's Woodpecker, California Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, Common Raven, House Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, House Finch. The area supports canyon, urban park habitats.
How difficult is birding at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park?
Birding at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park?
There is no entrance fee at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park. Hours: Open daily, 7:30 AM - sunset.
What amenities are available at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park?
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Visitor Center.