Birding is for everyone. Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance offers many activities and opportunities for you to learn about our local birds and how to protect them. We offer birding programs suited to every level of birding - whether you are new to birding and want to find out how to get started, an intermediate birder looking to hone your skills, or you are an expert birder looking to share your experiences - we have something for you.

Getting Started in Birding — Wondering how to get started? This is the place! We cover binoculars, field guides, and other helpful bird identification resources.

Backyard Birding — This page covers our common backyard birds of Santa Clara County, bird feeders, bird-friendly back yards, native plants, and bird related citizen science projects you can do at home.

On Being a Considerate Birder — The American Birding Association has published principles of birding ethics that we encourage all birders to follow.

Santa Clara County Bird Sightings

Santa Clara County, California has a rich array of habitats and a wide variety of birds. More than 400 species have been recorded here, 182 of which are known to breed in the county.

A Checklist of Birds of Santa Clara County contains a list of all 418 species observed in the county. Stop by our Nature Shop for a printed copy, or download for printing or viewing on your computer or mobile device.

Santa Clara County Birds — The latest bird sightings, updated monthly and archived in our Cumulative Year Lists going back to 1996

Field Notes — Detailed monthly rare or unique bird observations, with locations and photos. Archives back to 2013

Where to Bird in Santa Clara County

Field Trips — We host bird walks at over 50 locations across Santa Clara County and beyond.  Several of our walks are designed for beginners and many of our walks are beginner friendly.  Become a member of SCVBA for priority registration.

Self-Guided Field Trips — Go birding on your own or with your household at one of our many Santa Clara County parks. Our self-guided trips will direct you to where to bird each month and provide advice on which birds to look for in which habitats.

Accessible Birding — If you have mobility limitations or other restrictions, or you are taking someone birding with special needs, this is a good place to start

“What to Look for Now” — Timely guides to potential bird sightings throughout the year, with helpful identification tips and insights by our Executive Director Matthew Dodder.

Salt Ponds of Santa Clara County — A map of the salt ponds in Santa Clara County and how to access them.

County Boundaries at the Mouth of San Francisquito Creek — a discussion of the county lines that may help you determine whether a bird is in Santa Clara County or San Mateo County

Birding at the Bottom of the Bay — Discover the best publicly-accessible birding sites in Santa Clara County and the southern San Francisco Bay Area in this SCVBA printed guidebook. Pick one up at the SCVBA Nature Shop.

Santa Clara County Birding Community

South Bay Birds (SBB) — An email list intended for reporting birding activity in Santa Clara County. It’s a great way to see where everyone is birding and to learn what they are seeing.

South Bay Bird Events — Sign up to receive information about bird related events happening in Santa Clara County including last-minute field trip openings.

South Bay Birds on Discord - join for bird id help, where to bird, rarity chats, etc.

Santa Clara County Birding (formerly Silicon Valley Birding) on Facebook — This group is for general conversation about topics of interest to Silicon Valley birders. This includes sharing photos, discussions about environmental or advocacy issues, and anything else of interest to our group.

Bay Area Bird Photographers (BABP) — Join BABP to benefit from the experience of other photographers and to enjoy the monthly photo presentations

Annual Birding Events in Santa Clara County

Christmas Bird Count (CBC) — sponsored by the National Audubon Society, this citizen-science annual bird survey goes back to 1900! The first local CBC was in Palo Alto in 1905. Come join this fun and valuable annual tradition.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) — citizen science from your own backyard

Spring Birdathon — Our biggest fundraiser, held every spring. Compete to raise money for our important programs and maybe win a great prize!

Summer Bird Count (SBC) — the Summer edition of the CBC

Other Resources

Fishing Line — how to address the issue of fishing line endangering birds and wildlife.

Banner Photo Credit: Lincoln’s Sparrow by Raechel Lee