Point Pinos - seawatch only
California · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, dawn to dusk
About This Location
Point Pinos - seawatch only is a productive birding destination in California, with 287 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Canada Goose, Surf Scoter, and Black Oystercatcher 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
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalis
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Black Swift
Cypseloides niger
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
Tennessee Warbler
Leiothlypis peregrina
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Black Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Pigeon Guillemot
Common Murre
Heermann's Gull
Western Gull
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Sooty Shearwater
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Black Phoebe
American Crow
Cedar Waxwing
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Surf Scoter
Brown Pelican
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
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
Nearby Attractions
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Asilomar State Beach
More in California
California Birding Guide
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