Heron's Head Park

California · Southwest

EasyOfficial Site View on eBird

Habitat

Urban Park

Best Seasons

FallWinterSpring

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

October-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open daily, sunrise to sunset

About This Location

Heron's Head Park is a productive birding destination in California, with 212 species recorded on eBird. This urban park habitat attracts Canada Goose, American Wigeon, and Lesser Scaup among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.

Location

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Notable Species

Canada Goose American Wigeon Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Ruddy Duck American Crow Western Bluebird Cedar Waxwing Wild Turkey Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Turkey Vulture

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Williamson's Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus thyroideus

3/5/2026UC Berkeley1 observed

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

3/5/2026South Richmond Marshes (Stege, Hoffman) and Meeker Slough17 observed

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula

3/5/2026Oracle Pond (pond area only) along Marine Pkwy1 observed

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Setophaga nigrescens

3/5/2026Lafayette Reservoir1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/5/2026Amador Street - fennel/willow patch and adjoining fields 37.74489, -122.379561 observed

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope

3/5/2026Belmont Slough--slough along Oracle Pkwy and area behind Oracle1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/5/20261315 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, California, US (37.592, -122.315)1 observed

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

3/5/2026Ballena Bay1 observed

Common Murre

Uria aalge

3/5/2026Cesar Chavez Park1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/5/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

3/5/2026Booker T Anderson Park1 observed

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegena

3/5/2026707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda US-CA 37.77285, -122.300701 observed

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

3/5/2026Golden Gate Park--Hippie Hill & Tennis Complex1 observed

Hermit Warbler

Setophaga occidentalis

3/5/2026Golden Gate Park--Hippie Hill & Tennis Complex1 observed

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

3/5/2026Golden Gate Park--Arboretum (San Francisco Botanical Garden)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

American Wigeon

153/5/2026

Mallard

23/5/2026

Bufflehead

83/5/2026

Ruddy Duck

13/5/2026

American Coot

33/5/2026

Black-necked Stilt

103/5/2026

American Avocet

23/5/2026

Long-billed Curlew

13/5/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

23/5/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

23/5/2026

Snowy Egret

33/5/2026

Great Egret

13/5/2026

Brown Pelican

23/5/2026

Northern Mockingbird

13/5/2026

California Towhee

63/5/2026

Yellow-rumped Warbler

13/5/2026

American Crow

13/5/2026

Canada Goose

33/5/2026

Lesser Scaup

13/5/2026

Rock Pigeon

103/5/2026

Birding Tips

1
Visit at dawn for peak songbird activity before crowds arrive.
2
Check flowering trees and berry-producing shrubs for seasonal migrants.
3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.
4
Check eBird hotspot data before visiting to see recent sightings and what species are being reported.
5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

India Basin Shoreline Park
Candlestick Point SRA
Bayview Park

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Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

How to Identify Birds Like an Expert: The Four Keys to Field Identification

11 min read

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching: Gear, Identification, and Etiquette

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Heron's Head Park for birding?▼

The best months to visit Heron's Head Park for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.

What birds can I see at Heron's Head Park?▼

Notable species at Heron's Head Park include Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, American Crow, Western Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Wild Turkey, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Turkey Vulture. The area supports urban park habitats.

How difficult is birding at Heron's Head Park?▼

Birding at Heron's Head Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Heron's Head Park?▼

There is no entrance fee at Heron's Head Park. Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

What amenities are available at Heron's Head Park?▼

Heron's Head Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.