Calling all birding enthusiasts! A whopping total of 619 bird species have been officially recorded in California, with several counties having over 450 species alone. What makes a place great for birding depends on a few factors, but namely the surrounding habitat, like underbrush, water, and trees matter most. We think Tulare, CA is a great place to spend time birdwatching, so read on to learn more about some hotspots nearby.
Tulare Water Treatment Plant
You wouldn’t think of wastewater treatment plants as a magnet for birds and birding enthusiasts, but they are! The ponds are a great place to spot a variety of local and migrating birds, ducks, pelicans, and egrets. Notable varieties of ducks that have been seen in the area include canvasback, northern shovelers, and buffleheads. Pied-billed grebes, as well as doves and sandpipers, can also be found.
Lake Success
This reservoir on the Tule River is surrounded by grassland and is home to a variety of gulls, herons, kingfishers, and the common merganser. Red-tailed hawks, kestrels, and small phoebes can be spotted flying in the area. During the breeding season, the grassland areas northwest of Lake Success stay wet, attracting many tricolored blackbirds and a diverse raptor community.
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
Large numbers of sandhill cranes make their annual winter migration from as far as Alaska to roost at Pixley National Wildlife Refuge. The observation platform is popular with birders, as the opportunity to catch a view of thousands of cranes foraging is nothing short of breathtaking. These magnificent creatures have been recorded utilizing the NWR as early as 1964. The best time to visit is right at sunset when you can hear their distinct calls and watch them take flight.
Woodlake Botanical Garden
Just a short 35-minute drive northeast of Tulare lies a gorgeous community garden right next to Bravo Lake, full of wildlife, flowers, and the subsequent visiting birds. With water and nature conservation at the heart of everything, the Garden has encouraged a variety of wildlife to make their home here. Gadwalls, northern pintails, and osprey can be found frequenting the area.
Kaweah Oaks Preserve
This 344-acre wooded preserve is home to one of the last remaining oak forests. Open from dawn to dusk every day of the year, Kaweah has more than 300 plant and animal species, including the great horned owl, great blue heron, and Nuttall’s woodpecker. There are many walking trails to choose from, but the Valley Oak Trail is best for observing raptors using the tree snags for roosting.
Burris Park
With a bounty of mature live oaks and conifers, Burris Park is notable for birding all year round. The edges of the park are popular with sparrows during the winter and migratory birds during the spring. Little known fact- the county’s first indigo bunting was spotted here. If the gates are closed, birding around the edges of the park is still worthwhile, or you can head to Kings Row nearby which is popular for many of the same birds.
Whether it’s a stretch of road, a park, or a lake, you’re bound to identify some beautiful raptors in the area. Before you fly off to these popular birding destinations, stop into Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC and check out our inventory of new and used vehicles.
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