The Bay Area is blessed not only with some of the finest and most diverse Bayfront, oak savanna, coniferous woodland and farmland habitats, but also easy access to both the coast to our west and Sierra Nevada to the east. A modest drive from our county brings birders to the beautiful mountain landscape and its characteristic mix of species. The itinerary describes birding stops ranging from alpine Yuba Pass (7000’) which hosts Williamson’s Sapsuckers, Mountain Quail and Clark’s Nutcrackers to the subalpine Sierra Valley (4800’) home to Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrows and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.

Much has changed since the fire of 2020, but this area remains productive for birding. Drive through grassland, cottonwood riparian, oak savanna, and canyon habitats in Stanislaus County to search for Grasshopper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak. There is also a chance of Costa’s Hummingbird and Greater Roadrunner. Continue toward San Antonio Valley for Bell’s Sparrow and Lewis’s Woodpecker.

There’s no winter birding experience quite like the dry rolling ranch lands and deserted flat earth of Panoche Valley. This trip nearly guarantees to provide the brave-hearted with world-class views of Ferruginous Hawk, Greater Roadrunner, Prairie Falcon, and Mountain Bluebird. It’s a magical, barren place!

For a location full of visual and aural extremes, visit Merced NWR where you can see and hear Sandhill Cranes rattling loudly and dancing together or enormous swirling clouds of thousands of Snow and Ross’s Geese. There are decidedly few experiences more life-affirming than a winter trip to this Central Valley location!