Desert birding habitat

Point Reyes - Lighthouse

California · Southwest

Habitat
DesertChaparral
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-May

About This Location

Point Reyes - Lighthouse is a productive birding destination in California, with 300 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Surf Scoter, Black Oystercatcher, and Common Murre 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

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

7/21/2026Drakes Beach, Inverness US-CA 38.03119, -122.946031 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

7/21/2026Drakes Beach, Inverness US-CA 38.03119, -122.9460360 observed

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

7/21/2026Drakes Beach, Inverness US-CA 38.03119, -122.946033 observed

Wrentit

Chamaea fasciata

7/21/2026Pt. Reyes--Drakes Beach (DO NOT INCLUDE Horseshoe Pond or beach/estero beyond Horseshoe Pond)1 observed

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana

7/17/2026Pt. Reyes--Drakes Beach (DO NOT INCLUDE Horseshoe Pond or beach/estero beyond Horseshoe Pond)1 observed

Forster's Tern

Sterna forsteri

7/17/2026Pt. Reyes--Drakes Beach (DO NOT INCLUDE Horseshoe Pond or beach/estero beyond Horseshoe Pond)1 observed

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

7/17/2026580 Evergreen Rd Bolinas, CA1 observed

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

7/17/2026Pt. Reyes--Drakes Beach (DO NOT INCLUDE Horseshoe Pond or beach/estero beyond Horseshoe Pond)1 observed

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

7/15/2026Pt. Reyes--Limantour Spit1 observed

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

7/13/2026Pt. Reyes--Drakes Beach (DO NOT INCLUDE Horseshoe Pond or beach/estero beyond Horseshoe Pond)1 observed

Orange-crowned Warbler (lutescens)

Leiothlypis celata

7/13/2026Pt. Reyes--New Willows1 observed

Western Flycatcher

Empidonax difficilis

7/13/2026Pt. Reyes--New Willows1 observed

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

7/13/2026Pt. Reyes--Lighthouse1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Western Gull

37/19/2026

Red-tailed Hawk

27/19/2026

Bushtit

27/19/2026

White-crowned Sparrow

207/19/2026

Pigeon Guillemot

27/19/2026

Common Murre

27/19/2026

Heermann's Gull

17/19/2026

Brandt's Cormorant

17/19/2026

Pelagic Cormorant

207/15/2026

Brown Pelican

507/15/2026

Brewer's Blackbird

107/15/2026

Common Raven

27/14/2026

Anna's Hummingbird

17/13/2026

Allen's Hummingbird

17/13/2026

Caspian Tern

17/13/2026

Turkey Vulture

27/13/2026

Peregrine Falcon

17/13/2026

Tree Swallow

27/13/2026

Violet-green Swallow

17/13/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

27/13/2026

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 Point Reyes - Lighthouse for birding?
The best months to visit Point Reyes - Lighthouse for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Point Reyes - Lighthouse?
Notable species at Point Reyes - Lighthouse include Surf Scoter, Black Oystercatcher, Common Murre, Western Gull, Brandt's Cormorant. The area supports desert, chaparral habitats.
How difficult is birding at Point Reyes - Lighthouse?
Birding at Point Reyes - Lighthouse is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Point Reyes - Lighthouse?
Point Reyes - Lighthouse offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.