IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine
California · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, 7 AM - 4 PM
About This Location
IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine is a productive birding destination in California, with 334 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, and Blue-winged Teal 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
Mountain Chickadee
Poecile gambeli
Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
Red-lored Amazon
Amazona autumnalis
Neotropic Cormorant
Nannopterum brasilianum
Red-crowned Amazon
Amazona viridigenalis
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
Swainson's Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
Black-chinned x Allen's Hummingbird (hybrid)
Archilochus alexandri x Selasphorus sasin
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Band-tailed Pigeon
Patagioenas fasciata
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Black Swift
Cypseloides niger
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Cinnamon Teal
Gadwall
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Allen's Hummingbird
Western Gull
Black Skimmer
Caspian Tern
Forster's Tern
Pied-billed Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Brown Pelican
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Bushtit
Swinhoe's White-eye
Birding Tips
- 1
Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.
- 2
Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.
- 3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.
- 4
Bring insect repellent — wetland areas can have significant mosquito activity, especially in warmer months.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Crystal Cove State Park
- Upper Newport Bay
More in California
California Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in California →