Birding Near Modesto, CA

25 birding locations within 50 miles

California · United States

25

Locations

56+

Species

8

Habitats

3

Peak Seasons

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Birding Locations Near Modesto

River/Riparian birding habitat

California

11.3 mi away

Moderate

San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 207 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

27.9 mi away

Moderate

Stockton WTP

Desert birding hotspot in California with 207 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

32.2 mi away

Moderate

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 219 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

35.1 mi away

Moderate

Clifton Court Forebay

Desert birding hotspot in California with 248 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

36.2 mi away

Easy

Lake Yosemite County Park

Lake birding hotspot in California with 212 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

37.5 mi away

Moderate

Los Banos Wildlife Area

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 202 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

38.3 mi away

Moderate

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 241 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

38.6 mi away

Moderate

O'Neill Forebay

Desert birding hotspot in California with 233 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

38.6 mi away

Easy

Del Valle Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 226 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

38.9 mi away

Moderate

Lodi Lake Nature Area

Lake birding hotspot in California with 219 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

39.7 mi away

Moderate

Holland Tract

Desert birding hotspot in California with 205 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

42.3 mi away

Moderate

Pre-Los Vaqueros Reservoir Study Site

Lake birding hotspot in California with 202 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

43.8 mi away

Moderate

Woodbridge Rd (W of I-5)

Desert birding hotspot in California with 200 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

44.3 mi away

Challenging

Bethel Island

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 233 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

44.6 mi away

Easy

Joseph D. Grant County Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 208 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

46.2 mi away

Easy

Shadow Cliffs Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 200 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

46.3 mi away

Moderate

Ironhouse Sanitary District

Desert birding hotspot in California with 203 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

47.7 mi away

Challenging

Staten Island

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 232 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

48.2 mi away

Moderate

Orr Ranch (limited access)

Desert birding hotspot in California with 209 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Forest birding habitat

California

48.5 mi away

Moderate

Cosumnes River Preserve - Tall Forest (limited access)

Forest birding hotspot in California with 228 recorded species.

ForestRiver/RiparianFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

49.1 mi away

Moderate

Lake Cunningham

Lake birding hotspot in California with 220 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

49.1 mi away

Moderate

Ed Levin CP - Sandy Wool-Elm areas

Desert birding hotspot in California with 206 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

49.5 mi away

Moderate

Ogier Ponds

Desert birding hotspot in California with 218 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

49.5 mi away

Challenging

Sherman Island

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 208 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Beautiful view of a majestic river with lush green hills during bright day sunlight, beauty in nature concept.

California

49.6 mi away

Moderate

Cosumnes River Preserve

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 255 recorded species.

River/RiparianFallWinter

Top Species Near Modesto

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Anna's HummingbirdSandhill CraneWhite-tailed KiteRed-tailed HawkNuttall's WoodpeckerGreater White-fronted GooseCanada GooseNorthern ShovelerGadwallMallardCinnamon TealGreater ScaupLesser ScaupBuffleheadCommon GoldeneyeCommon MerganserAmerican WigeonNorthern PintailSnow GooseWilson's SnipeCooper's HawkRoss's GooseCactus WrenGreater RoadrunnerGambel's Quail+31 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Desert9 locations
Chaparral9 locations
Wetland4 locations
Lake4 locations
Urban Park4 locations
River/Riparian3 locations
Coastal3 locations
Forest1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring25 locations
Fall25 locations
Winter25 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near Modesto, CA?
Top birding locations within 50 miles of Modesto include San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, Stockton WTP, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, Clifton Court Forebay, Lake Yosemite County Park. These spots offer river/riparian, wetland, desert habitats.
What birds can I see near Modesto?
Birders near Modesto can spot species including Anna's Hummingbird, Sandhill Crane, White-tailed Kite, Red-tailed Hawk, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler. The area's 8 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near Modesto?
The best seasons for birding near Modesto are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near Modesto?
There are 25 documented birding locations within 50 miles of Modesto, CA, ranging from 11.3 to 49.6 miles from the city center.

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