Palo Alto Baylands
California · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, dawn to dusk
About This Location
Palo Alto Baylands is a productive birding destination in California, with 274 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.
Location
Loading map...
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
Cassin's Vireo
Vireo cassinii
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
Redhead
Aythya americana
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Lawrence's Goldfinch
Spinus lawrencei
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
Greater Scaup
Aythya marila
Elegant Tern
Thalasseus elegans
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Black-necked Stilt
Killdeer
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Marsh Wren
House Finch
Song Sparrow
Canada Goose
Mallard
American Coot
California Gull
Forster's Tern
Black-crowned Night Heron
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Northern Mockingbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Ring-billed Gull
Turkey Vulture
Birding Tips
- 1
Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.
- 2
Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.
- 3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.
- 4
A spotting scope is essential here — many waterbirds stay far from shore and are difficult to identify with binoculars alone.
- 5
Winter months bring peak waterfowl diversity — visit November through February for the best duck and goose viewing.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center
- Charleston Slough
- Shoreline Park
More in California
California Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in California →