Go birdwatching with a Birdingpal from California.

Birdwatching in California

California is the third largest and most populous state in United States bordered by Oregon to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Mexico to the south and Arizona and Utah to the east.
With its staggering array of natural habitats, many National Parks, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, mountains, desert, forest, lakes and coastline it is a birders paradise boasting more than 600 bird species recorded including 105 endemics to North America and 2 state endemics.
The popularity of birdwatching in California reflects in the many Birdingpals willing to help a visiting birder.

Check our personalized year round birdwatching tours for small groups in California

Local Birdingpal Contacts

Local Birdwatchers
Using the Birdingpal resources you must agree to the following: If you contact a local Birdingpal and make arrangement to go birding, you should note it is common courtesy to make sure you show up for the appointment. If for any reason you are unable to do this, the least you must do is contacting the local Pal right away.
Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club.

Shortcuts to Local Pals in major cities:

Hollywood Los Angeles Monterey Palm Springs Sacramento San Diego San Francisco
Santa Cruz Professional Guides

Initial Last Name Area Available Language

D Lee Alameda Anytime English

I am past president of Napa-Solano Audubon and enjoy taking people birding in the Bay Area, Sierras, nearby ocean, and Central Valley.
E Josephy Alameda Weekend English
some Spanish

I actually live in Alameda - a five by three mile island adjacent to Oakland. It has a 5 mile beach. I am a beginning bird watcher and a nursing student. I am 60 years young.
R Wyna Anaheim Anytime
F Gray Antelope Anytime English
some Spanish

I recently retired from employment as a biologist for the California Department of Fish and Game. I am interested in birding with visitors to California and also birding with Birdingpals in other states.
S Bentall Aptos Anytime English/a little French

We have incredible birding in our area! I have contacts in this area, bird walks,etc.
C Moyer Arcata Weekend English

Arcata is on the Coast 6 hours drive north of San Francisco. We have a variety habitats - marsh, dune forest, beach, Redwood forest, fields, ocean, bay, and more.
G Friedrichsen Arcata Anytime English

I've been an active birder for 40 years and would enjoy sharing our area with guest from abroad.
M McQuerrey Bakersfield Anytime
S Williams Bakersfield Anytime
M Schwartz Berkeley Weekend
D Dash Berkeley Anytime English

Fantastic birding around the Bay Area - loads of different microclimates for varied species sightings. I'm not an expert, but rather a novice for life. I keep learning all the time. Happy birding!
S Remley Big Bear Lake/San Bernardino Mountains Anytime
D Batzler Carlsbad Anytime English

Started birding in my forties and now recently retired and in my early sixties. Enjoy the natural world, including birds, mammals, insects, butterflies etc. as well as capturing them with my digital camera. Carlsbad is a coastal community in one of the better bird counties (San Diego) in the U.S.
S Dryden Carmel Anytime English
Un poquito Espanol

I have been birding for about 10 years and know almost all of the birds and the best birding sites on the Monterey Peninsula, and can identify most local birds by sound. Monterey County is one of the birdiest counties in the USA, with a wide variety of habitats -- shore, wetlands, forests, etc.
P Wiggins Carpinteria/Santa Barbara Weekend English

I am an experienced birder and live near Santa Barbara, California. The annual Christmas bird count regularly lists this area as one of the top five locations for bird diversity in the United States. Besides birding, I am a volunteer at our local seal rookery (wildlife protection), and I previous worked at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden where I learned about native plants. I wouldn't consider myself an expert naturalist, but I enjoy hikes and the outdoors and like sharing my interests with others.
L Petrulias Cazadero Anytime
L Krasnovsky Chatsworth Anytime
M Skram Chico Anytime
S Kirn Chico Anytime
D Koenig Chico Weekend English
some Spanish

I am a biologist. I am interested in mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and plants. The area in which I live has riparian, wetland, grassland, oak forest, coniferous forest, and alpine ecosystems. The Altacal Audubon Society and the CSU,Chico Bird Club hosts free birding field trips within the area.
M Muchowski Chico Anytime English

I live in Chico, CA. We are close to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Gray Lodge Wildlife Area (both great winter birding areas). Chico oxidation ponds at the sewer treatment plant are a great place to bird any time of the year. Chico also has a large city-owned park (Bidwell Park) which is good for local birds. It is easy to get yellow-billed magpies here. There are also two reserves: Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve and Butte Creek Ecological Reserve. Chico is also only about a two-hour drive from Lassen Volcanic National Park. I am willing to take people out birding in this area if I am available (no charge).
R Peterson Chico/Sacramento Anytime English/Spanish
D Quigley Clearlake Oaks Anytime English
a little French

I live on a canal that leads to Clear Lake and have stable pedal kayaks (1 one-person and 1 two-person) for us to use. I am a beginning birder.
E Mayer Corte Madera Anytime English/Spanish
B Byerley Covina Weekend English

A begining birdwatcher, I work full time but have some weekdays off.
D Mehta Daly City Anytime
T Colborn Davis Anytime English
R Keister Davis Weekend English
S Elliott Davis Anytime English

I have just moved to the area and look forward to exploring the wildlife.
C Kisling Dorris(Klamath Basin) Anytime English
N Ramirez El Cajon Anytime English

My name is Nicole and I am a photographer of nature and do love birds, as well as flowers, bugs, trails. I live in the suburbs of San Diego, California. Though I am a photographer, I have a published book of the work I have done. Most of my photography is of San Diego, but I have visited other places here in the United States. I have my work in stores around San Diego mostly as greeting cards, but the book is offered as well.
K Berniker El Cerrito Anytime English
some Spanish

San Francisco Bay area, more to east (Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland) and north (Marin County).
D Jaffe El Portal Weekend English
intermediate Spanish

I have lived and worked in the Sierra Nevada of CA for about 13 years. Currently, (as of April, 2010), I will be working with Yosemite National Park. My schedule may be flexible, so email with enquiry.
K Amstutz El Portal Anytime English
little German

I live in Yosemite National Park. Great birding as the elevation ranges from 2000 feet to over 13,000 feet above sea level (500-4000m). Mono Lake is near, accessible in summer months. This is a must for birders as it is a migration stopover for many species. A great area all around!
Birds here in Yosemite are in the beginnings of Spring Showing-their-stuff season. Watched a robin gathering nesting materials and hummingbirds, chickadees, kinglets, Northern Flickers, Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds and many more displaying and singing their hearts out! Black-headed Grosbeak also seen and heard singing today! Four woodpeckers...ahhh. It is beginning!
J McKenzie El Segundo Weekend English

I live in So. California not to far from LAX and the beach areas. I like to bird the Del Rey Lagoon and Ballona Freshwater Marsh on a fairly regular basis. Occasionally some of the neighboring parks such as Sand Dune Park and Pollywog Park. I'm looking for a birding buddy to do birding field trips with, especially the ones offered by the Los Angeles Audubon Society.
J Poole Emeryville Anytime English
enough Italian to get along

I live right next to San Francisco Bay (on a peninsula). I've been birding for 25 years.
V Calhoun Encinitas Anytime English/French
Spanish

Docent at Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad and San Elijo Lagoon in Cardiff. Excellent birding locations in north San Diego county!!!!!
K Stockton Foothill Ranch Weekend English/Spanish

Happy to share some prime Southern California birding spots with visitors.
K McNew Fresno Weekend
P Palisoc Fresno Anytime English/Tagalog

Fresno is known for agriculture land.
K Enns-Rempel Fresno Weekend English

I've been birding since the late 1990s and am quite familiar with birding locations in the San Joaquin Valley.
J Sooter Garberville Anytime English/Spanish

200 miles north of San Francisco, just off hwy101. Community park with bird checklist and trails nearby (1mile), a good stop on the way to Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Arcata Marsh, Godwit or Aleutian Goose Festivals.
J Olsen Grass Valley Anytime
J Shower Greenville/Lake Almanor Anytime English
A little Spanish

We have a nice studio apartment that is available to share with birding/flyfishing guests, that is located in N. CA. (Sierras). We are part of the Pacific Flyway and welcome visitors to our home and studio. There are excellent birding and fishing opportunities. We area near Lassen Nat. Park, Sierra Valley, Numerous lakes and streams and the northern part of the Great Central Valley (which has quite a number of protected birding areas). The stay at our studio would be without cost. Birding visitor(s) would be our guest(s)and we are avid birders. Our phone # is 530-284-6856.
D Studebaker Hollister Anytime English/some German

I am a Registered Nurse who enjoys the birding opportunities of the Central Coast area of California. I live only 30 minutes from the Pinnacles National Monument (one of the locations where the California Condors are being released and are seen frequently) and not far from the Elkhorn Slough on the Pacific Flyway.
H Sabin Hollywood Weekend English
a bit of French

I have been watching birds all my life, but always in a very casual way, so I won't necessarily be able to ID everything, but I love meeting new people and sharing my city.
M Taylor Irvine Anytime English/a little
Japanese/Chinese

Have birded for the last 50 years, over 40 in southern California and have led field trips to areas throughout southern California for Audubon chapters and personalized groups. My website is: http://www.tsuru-bird.net
T Harrison La Canada Weekend
K Johnson La Canada Weekend
A Cain Lafayette Anytime English
M Alderson Laguna Beach Weekend English

I have been a backyard birder for many years. Very familiar with the local song and sea birds. When traveling, I always try to add to my lifelist. Think this is a wonderful site. Hope many people can connect and enjoy new discoveries.
M O'Reilly Lake County Anytime
R Carlson Lake Tahoe(summer only) Anytime
J Ivanov Lawnfale Anytime English

Life long birder/naturalist who works as a biologist in the environmental compliance field. Nearby birding places within an hour or less drive include: shorelines, wetlands, coastal scrub, chaparrel, riparian, desert, and montain habitats.
C Hawley Lincoln Weekend
M Fuhs Lodi Anytime English

We have 10 acres of easy birding, The Mokelumne River and the delta are a 20 minute drive, 330 bird species in this county, 70 nest here. Sacramento airport is 45 minutes away, Amtrak and Greyhound stop in Lodi. This is a great area to bicycle as well.
H Bennish Long Beach Anytime English
Intermediate German

I am a private voice teacher who also performs locally. One of my past careers was that of an environmental educator. I have been birding for nearly 40 years and know a lot about the local birds. I have led bird walks in the past for audubon as well. I live 20 minutes from the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach, CA. The shore birds are numerous all year round. In the winter when all the ducks fly South, they come to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. In the spring there is a family of Great-Horned owls in Huntington Beach's Central Park that have build a nest for the past 20 years I have been going there. You can also expect to see Hooded and Northern Orioles,and many other migrating birds.
E Pandolfino Loomis Anytime
K Robertson Los Altos Weekend English

Los Altos is located 30 miles south of San Francisco on the peninsula. Extensive birding opportunities are available, including shore, wetlands and forest environments. Birds of Northern California is a useful guide. Also Sibley's Birds of the Western United States.
S Wells Los Angeles Anytime
J Raskin Los Angeles Anytime
C Taylor Los Angeles Anytime English

I have been birding with my dad since I was 8 years old. I also enjoy bird and wildlife photography: http://www.kiwifoto.com
J Drury Los Angeles Anytime English/Spanish

I know the birds of the wetlands nearby (Bolsa Chica, Malibu) and the Santa Monica Mountains.
E Alvarez Los Angeles Anytime English
minimal Spanish/
French

I have birded for years - am a moderate birder not a twitcher - I have traveled extensively and bird wherever I go. If I can be helpful to someone, I would be happy to do so.
E Greenspan Culver City/West Los Angeles Anytime English/Spanish
C Almdale North Hills, Los Angeles Anytime English

Except for the local mountains, summer is the worst time for birding in the Los Angeles Southern California area. The migrants wintering birds are gone and the deserts are very hot.
D Norton Topanga, Los Angeles Anytime
E Uyeki McKinleyville Anytime
M Kotin Malibu/Los Angeles Anytime English
D Willey Mammoth Lakes Anytime English

I live in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. Beginning in March when the Mt. Bluebird arrives and the greater sage grouse begin to gather on their leks we have birds non-stop. Many Neo-tropical migrants pass through our mountains and many stay and nest before heading north. I live at 8200 feet,(2400 meters) and near Mono Lake and the eastern entrance to Yosemite N.P. Close by to my home is a unique geo-thermal area called Hot Creek. In the summer many raptors nest in the area.
C Vaughn Ukiah/Mendocino County Anytime English
E Goodill Menlo Park Weekend English

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with access to the Pacific Coast, San Francisco Bay, and the surrounding hills. I am a solid intermediate birder and am fairly good with bird calls and songs.
J Goerke Mill Valley Anytime English

My wife, Betty, and I are interested in bird calls and bird identification. We are average birders. Our area is just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and includes SF Bay, hills, one mountain, and a few creeks.
J DeLeon Mission Viejo Anytime English
basic Spanish

Retired and enjoy birding in the spring and early fall. I live in Orange County not far from the coast and Saddleback Mts. Not as strong on shore birds as I am on land birds.
J Rudesill Modesto Anytime English

I live in the Central Valley of California which is a winter flyway for many waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes. We have several wildlife refuges nearby that are full of birds in the winter time.
J Herr Moraga Weekend
S Brown Los Osos/Morro Bay Anytime English/French

Great birding area. Brant Geese, waterfowl and hawks in winter.
J Royer Los Osos/Morro Bay Weekend English

I live on the edge of Morro Bay and have actively birded in this beautiful area since 1980. September - May, it is easy to see over 100 species in a day. Winter: waterfowl, shorebirds, and owls plus inland wintering hawks, eagles, and Mountain Plovers. Spring: a good variety of migrating warblers,etc. and Allen's Hummingbird as well as breeding LeConte's Thrasher. Summer: breeders such as MacGillivray's Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, Black-chinned Sparrow, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Olive-sided Flycatcher, etc. Fall: good for passerine migration and pelagics. Local resident species include Wrentit, Yellow-billed Magpie, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, etc. Condors are seen 1 1/2 hours drive north of here. I have led bird trips in California for over 30 years and am available many weekends and some weekdays. Local whale watching and Elephant Seal viewing are also recommended. Local events include the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival in January and the local Big Sit on the second Sunday in October where we always see over 100 species from one spot during that one day. If visiting California for the first time, combine a visit here with the Kern Valley Nature Festival in May or a visit to Yosemite in the Summer.
B Adams Monterey Anytime English/French

Frequent Big Sur and Elkhorn Slough.
J Angelo Newark Weekend English

I Live near the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge. I'm an avid birder with about 7-8 years worth of birding to my experience. Yet I still feel an amateur with many aspects. I have three young children who enjoy meeting other kids. My kids are 9, 5, and 3.
B Messmore Oakland, near San Francisco Anytime English

I travel a lot, but happy to help whenever I can.
E Gierson Oakland Anytime English

Retired Educator and proud lesbian birder in Northern California.
R Dailey Orinda Anytime English/some Spanish

Intermediate birder familiar with local birding sites. Best birding in April/May.
B Mantell Palm Springs Anytime English/French
Spanish/Hebrew
P Rouzer Palo Alto Weekend
N Teater Palo Alto Anytime English

South San Francisco Bay and the surrounding area has many birding hot spots, from the Bay, to the valley floor, to the surrounding foothills. We are blessed with abundant open space. Birders see about 300 different species each year.
Y Yoshi Palo Alto Anytime English

I live near the Palo Alto Baylands and have a limited knowledge of shore/marsh birds. Would like to make more use of my bird books, binoculars, and camera.
W Bousman Palo Alto/San Jose Anytime
W Zimmerly Paradise Anytime English
E Stonick Pasadena Weekend
K Lehr Patterson Anytime
C Spaid Petaluma, Two Rock Anytime
J Ross Pleasanton (Alameda County) Weekend English

I have been birding for 10 years and volunteered with Golden Gate Raptor Observatory as a hawkwatcher for 5 years. Alameda County is just across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco and has great birding locations like the Hayward Shoreline; Coyote Hills, Shadow Cliffs, and Pleasanton Ridge Regional Parks; Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness; and many other local hot spots. I'd be happy to show any out-of-town birders some of my favorites.
M Brady Potter Valley Anytime English
some Spanish

World birder as well as local.
C Selvig Petaluma, Pt Reyes Peninsula Weekend American English
un peu de Francais;
some German/Spanish

I'm near the Pt Reyes Peninsula and San Francisco Bay. I enjoy photography and I'm happy to go out in any weather.
J Coumoutso Rancho Cucamonga Anytime
J Cash Redding Anytime English

I am just getting into studying birds, especially birds of prey. I have a great appreciation for them and hope to learn more. I love to watch them soar!
R Bruun Redding Weekend English
Norwegian

I live 30 miles east of Redding in the community of Shingletown. Lassen Volcanic National Park is 20 minutes from our house.
B Yutzy Redding Anytime English

California Central Valley oak woodland and riparian species, basin species in the fall River Valley, Lassen Volcanic National Park birds, and wintering waterbirds are a specialty in the county. My wife and I have seen more birds in the county than any other birders. We both have seen over 700 species in the US. We are currently doing hawk counts and have done breeding bird counts in the county for over 30 years. I am a retired instructor in many different bird classes. Gratuities appreciated if we go out and bird with you.
M Baker Redlands Anytime English

Southern california!! Near mountains, desert, ocean, and the Salton sea.
A Eisner Redwood City/SF Peninsula Anytime
S Mencher Redwood City Anytime English

Active birder in San Francisco peninsula area. I know the area quite well. Interested in bird photography. Retired so time relatively available. Usually out birding with friends on Saturday, could bring a guest, so birdingpal time better midweek.
V Vaira Rio Linda Anytime English/Spanish

I live in the heart of California's great Central Valley where wintering waterfowl is a tremendous birding experience. The Sacramento National Wildlife refuges are all within an hour or so of my home. This area is also home to the Yellow-billed Magpie. We are within two hours of more great birding in the San Francisco Bay area. The Sierra Nevadas are an hour to the east with lots of high elevation birding possibilities including White-headed Woodpecker, Williamson's Sapsucker, White-breasted, Red-breasted, and Pygmy Nuthatches. I am a member of the National, Sacramento,and San Joaquin Audubon Societies. I work as a Critical Care RN and am available for ideas, directions,local information, and love meeting fellow birders!
K Guse Sacramento Weekend
B Mendenhal Sacramento Anytime English/Spanish
M Getty Sacramento Anytime
C Allen Sacramento Weekend
E Berntsen Sacramento Weekend English
wife(birder also)
speaks Spanish

I am a hydrologist with a passion for wildlife/bird watching. Our geographic area includes numerous wildlife refuges within a 1 hr drive. We are located in the Sacramento Valley, part of the Pacific flyway.
G Upchurch Sacramento Anytime English

The California Delta area. Center stage for migratory birds.
K Petrik Sacramento Weekend English

1.5 hours to Sacramento NWR, 1 hour Gray Lodge Wildlife Area [WA], 10 minutes to Yolo Bypass WA
D Nail Fallbrook/San Diego Anytime English

I live in Fallbrook 60 miles north of San Diego, but I also bird San Diego, so folks from overseas also can contact me. Some people that come into Los Angeles can also contact me, since I am south of LA and able to take them out in Riverside and San Bernadino Counties.
L Heinz San Diego Anytime
W Arnn San Diego Weekend English/y poquito espanol muy mal

San Diego County is the second 'birdiest' county in the USA.
J Walters San Diego Anytime English

I enjoy showing visiting birders around the San Diego area. San Diego County has the longest species list of any county in the US.
C Evenhouse San Francisco Weekend English/French
Spanish
D Diller San Francisco (Bay Area) Anytime English/German
French/Spanish
C Okon San Francisco Weekend English
some German

I'm happy to point visiting birders to areas where they can experience the beautiful and diverse wildlife habitat of San Francisco and the Bay area. I also encourage visitors to check out goldengateaudubon.org to find out about birding trips.
S Loarie San Francisco Anytime English/Spanish

I'm a native of Northern CA, ecologist by training.
J Brodkin San Francisco Anytime English

Birding about 15 years in San Francisco, Bay Area and Point Reyes. Do not drive.
M Shulman San Francisco Anytime English

I am retired.
D Assmann San Francisco Weekend English

I've birded in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than a decade, and am pretty familiar with the best spots in San Francisco, and many in Marin County.
C Evenhouse San Francisco Anytime English/Spanish
French

I've hosted several birdingpals in the past and enjoy taking people around the San Francisco Bay area. I'm a teacher so I am not available everyday, but certainly when school is out and during school vacations.
V Bothwell San Francisco Anytime English

I enjoy birding in the San Francisco Bay Area (Counties of San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Marin, Napa, Sonoma) and would be happy to spend a day birding with visitors to our area. We have varied habitats and several endimic birds.
J Mulero San Francisco Bay (South) Weekend English/Spanish

I live in the Palo Alto/San Jose area (1 hr south of the city of San Francisco) and have a keen knowledge of our South Bay parks. I can help you find our local specialties such as Yellow-billed Magpie, California Thrasher and Wrentit as well as some of our feeder birds such as Oak Titmouse, Nuttall's and Acorn Woodpeckers, California Towhee and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. I travel frequently out of town due to my job but if I am in town I should be able to help you.
J Ritchie Concord/San Francisco Anytime English

Concord is 30 miles inland from San Francisco. I have been birding for about 20 years, but a lot of my experience has been in Australia. I belong to my local birding club, and I enjoy many of their field trips.
C Cummings Napa/San Francisco (Bay Area) Weekend English/Japanese
G Kinsley San Gabriel Weekend English

I am a member of the Pasadena Audubon Society
J Cole San Jose Anytime
M Stiles San Luis Obispo County Weekend
D Worland San Simeon Anytime
N States Santa Barbara Anytime English

Have been birding for many years, I know all Western bird calls and have guided small groups. I bird in my local area as much as possible and at Mammoth Lakes where I have a condo. I like to travel and bird. Santa Barbara has many good bird sites.
M Thompson Santa Barbara Anytime English/Spanish
C Chang Santa Barbara Anytime English/Mandarin
some French/Spanish

Santa Barbara is absolutely brilliant for wildlife---we're just right next to the Los Padres National Forest, have an abundance of riparian, woodland and shrub habitat, and our coastlines support a staggering array of migratory shorebirds. Please feel free to contact me with questions about the area! I'm still relatively inexperienced, though I like to think that I've got a good grasp of local birds in my area.
B McLaughlin Santa Cruz Anytime
T Newberry Santa Cruz Anytime English/French
G Meyer Santa Cruz Anytime
P Brown Santa Cruz Anytime
L Selman Santa Cruz Anytime English

I am a Bird photographer and birder. Interested in showing other interested photographers around the area. Visit my website http://MostlyBirds.com.
S Phukan Santa Cruz Anytime English
Spanish/Italian
Hindi/Urdu
Bengali/Persian

I am a mid-level birder, but I know the central coast of California quite well; I am also a foodie, so if you are looking for good eats to celebrate a good sighting of a local bird, I can definitely help with that. The best days for me to go out birding are Fridays and Saturdays. Thursdays may also work.
D Vander Pluym Santa Cruz/Ventura Anytime
J Deacon Santa Maria Weekend English
some Spanish

The Central Coast of California is an amazing birding area. The Santa Maria area, Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Morro Bay are all within easy driving distance. It is conceilvable to see 100 or more species in day.
K Rodriguez Santa Rosa Anytime English

A lot of parks, wetlands. Great for birding or just hiking.
T Cummings Santa Rosa Anytime English
some Spanish

The area I live in is surrounded by state parks, so there is an abundance of wildlife.
D Rasmussen Scotts Valley Anytime English

Born and raised in Monterey Bay, relocated throughout the Pacific flyway, returned retired to Santa Cruz, CA. An intermediate birder for 50 years. Back packer, hiker and inland kayaker. Married to an awesome newby!
W Kalwies Sebastopol Anytime English/Spanish

Coastal farmland and redwoods. Great area for birding. A must for any Birdingpal coming to the North Bay area.
A Armstrong Sunnyvale Weekend English

East Coast transplant living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Great birding here.
A Oddo Truckee Anytime English

Truckee is 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe at and above 6000'. We have many woodpeckers including the Pileated and lots of Finches, Sparrows and Mountain Bluebirds. Although we have less birds that winter-over, we do have many spring and summer visitors. I am an avid but not professional bird watcher.
R Foote Ukiah Anytime English/Spanish
German/Swiss German

Active in local Peregrine Audubon Club. Two hours north of San Francisco Bay Area.
A Sheehey Weldon Weekend English
very limited Spanish and French

Master Naturalist/Photographer. Information on area at my website...www.natureali.org Outreach Director - Audubon Kern River Preserve. Information on preserve at: http://kern.audubon.org
D DesJardin Ventura Anytime
J Jardine Walnut Creek(San Francisco) Anytime
J Friedberg Watsonville, Santa Cruz to Monterey area Weekend English
some German

Several sloughs in the Watsonville area provide excellent wetlands birding, while inland birding also is available at Watsonville parks and lakes. I am a beginning-intermediate level birder, with much more enthusiasm than expertise. My wife and I are only available on Sundays.
J Hughes Westchester Anytime English

Retired, new to birding. Began backyard bird feeding but wish to expand interest and appreciate assistance in learning.
L Richter Yolo County Anytime English
some Spanish

Birder, artist, homemaker, kittenpetter, Quaker, radio host*, TV show producer*, garden enthusiast, letter-writer, Arboretum docent, teacher/tutor, founder of several clubs including "ATC Exchange of Northern California" and "Internet Users Group", problem solver, woman.
(*= shows on local public access stations).
D Myers Yorba Linda Anytime

Professional Guides
If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services.

Initial Last Name Area Available Language

M Ross Yosemite NP Anytime English

Michael specializes in walking tours at locations where a wide variety of species can be observed. These are moderate walks of 1-4 miles. More strenuous hikes may be necessary to observe alpine species, such as gray-crowned rosy finches. Besides identifying species by field marks and vocalizations, Michael shares his knowledge of life histories and specific habitat relationships. Let him help you design your own custom birding trip to search for the Yosemite bird species that you wish to see.

Local Information

Name Description
Birder friendly lodging California

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia California

Local weather Yahoo

Electronic maps Google

Field guides recommended by Birdingpals California

Find lowest prices for field guides, books, maps etc. BookFinder4U

Bird check list Printable

Steve Sosensky's guide Southern California

Audubon, California Club

Western Field Ornithologists Club

Altacal Audubon Society Club

Buena Vista Audubon Club

Conejo Valley Audubon Society Club

Eastern Sierra Audubon Society Club

El Dorado Audubon Society Club

Fresno Audubon Society Club

Golden Gate Audubon Society Club

Kerncrest Audubon Society Club

Los Angeles Audubon Society Club

Madrone Audubon Society Club

Mendocino Coast Audubon Society Club

Marin Audubon Society Club

Morro Coast Audubon Society Club

Ohlone Audubon Society Club

Palomar Audubon Society Club

Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society Club

Pasadena Audubon Society Club

Peregrine Audubon Society Club

Redwood Region Audubon Society Club

Sacramento Audubon Society Club

San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society Club

San Diego Audubon Society Club

Santa Barbara Audubon Society Club

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Club

Santa Cruz Bird Club Club

Whittier Audubon Society Club

Yolo Audubon Society Club

Audublog, conservation news and notes Blog

San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory Banding

Golden Gate RaptorObservatory Club

Godwit Days Festival

Aleutian Goose Festival Festival

Central Valley Birding Symposium Festival

Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua Festival

Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival Festival

Flyway San Francisco Bay Festival

Bird Guide Sites

Monterey Bay Sites

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Sites

New River Wetland Wetlands

Joe Morlan's, Birding California Sites

Kendric C Smith's Palo Alto Sites

Birding Hotspots around the world Festival

Kern Valley Photos
Shearwater Journeys Pelagic

Breeding Bird Atlas

NABA Orange County Butterflies

Last update 20/01/2012