Playa del Rey/Ballona area
California · Southwest
About This Location
Playa del Rey/Ballona area is a productive birding destination in California, with 269 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Bonaparte's Gull, Lesser Scaup, and Surf Scoter 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
Pacific Loon
Gavia pacifica
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
Western Warbling Vireo
Vireo swainsoni
Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
California Gnatcatcher
Polioptila californica
Wilson's Warbler
Cardellina pusilla
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mallard
Ruddy Duck
Mourning Dove
Allen's Hummingbird
American Coot
Killdeer
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Least Bittern
Black-crowned Night Heron
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Black Phoebe
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Scaly-breasted Munia
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
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.
Amenities
More in California
California Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in California →