Desert birding habitat

Mendocino Headlands North

California · Southwest

Habitat
DesertChaparral
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-May

About This Location

Mendocino Headlands North is a productive birding destination in California, with 210 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Canada Goose, Black Oystercatcher, and Western Gull 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

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegena

5/27/2026Van Damme State Park1 observed

Red-billed Tropicbird

Phaethon aethereus

5/25/2026Auto selected 39.24465, -124.145761 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

5/25/2026MacKerricher SP--Virgin Creek Beach and all of estuary, otherwise WEST of Haul Rd ONLY1 observed

Short-tailed Shearwater

Ardenna tenuirostris

5/22/2026Caspar Highspot (underwater bank)1 observed

Murphy's Petrel

Pterodroma ultima

5/22/2026Caspar Highspot (underwater bank)4 observed

Hawaiian Petrel

Pterodroma sandwichensis

5/22/2026Caspar Highspot (underwater bank)2 observed

California Gull (albertaensis)

Larus californicus

5/22/2026Caspar Highspot (underwater bank)1 observed

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

5/20/2026Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens1 observed

Elegant Tern

Thalasseus elegans

5/19/2026MacKerricher SP- Pudding Cr to Virgin Cr Beach2 observed

Cackling Goose (Aleutian)

Branta hutchinsii

5/19/2026MacKerricher SP- Pudding Cr to Virgin Cr Beach1 observed

Franklin's Gull

Leucophaeus pipixcan

5/17/2026MacKerricher State Beach 10 Mile rivermouth to Pt Laguna1 observed

Hudsonian Godwit

Limosa haemastica

5/17/2026MacKerricher State Beach 10 Mile rivermouth to Pt Laguna1 observed

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

5/17/2026MacKerricher State Beach 10 Mile rivermouth to Pt Laguna3 observed

Nuttall's Woodpecker

Dryobates nuttallii

5/17/2026Russian Gulch SP-- Headlands Trail1 observed

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia atricapilla

5/16/2026Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Common Murre

5/27/2026

Canada Goose

15/20/2026

Black Oystercatcher

25/20/2026

Western Gull

505/20/2026

Brandt's Cormorant

6005/20/2026

Pelagic Cormorant

105/20/2026

Brown Pelican

305/20/2026

Song Sparrow

15/20/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.

  2. 2

    Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.

  3. 3

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Mendocino Headlands North for birding?
The best months to visit Mendocino Headlands North for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Mendocino Headlands North?
Notable species at Mendocino Headlands North include Canada Goose, Black Oystercatcher, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pelagic Cormorant. The area supports desert, chaparral habitats.
How difficult is birding at Mendocino Headlands North?
Birding at Mendocino Headlands North is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Mendocino Headlands North?
Mendocino Headlands North offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.