Birding Ventura County
Planning to look for some birds? Take a look at our checklists that show the species you are likely to see in various habitats around the county. You can also download a handy brochure that lists and maps some of the best birding spots around the county.
Ventura County, situated between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties, is located in California’s Central Coast. Birding is one of the Central Coast’s finest recreational activities. The Central Coast is strategically located on the Pacific Flyway and provides habitat to many resident and migratory birds. Another informative site for Ventura County birding is provided by the Ventura Audubon Society.
Some of the recommended Ventura County birding sites are listed below.
- Open Mon.-Fri. 8am -6pm. Coastal dunes, ponds, willows, reeds, habitat varied
- Location: Off Spinnaker Dr. in Ventura Harbor. Park on Angler Ct. across from the Birder Parking sign.
- Highlights: Bonaparte’s Gull, ducks, Sora, Common Gallinule, Marsh wren, phalaropes, warblers, grebes, Peregrine Falcon, spring swallows.
- Best Season: All year, especially spring, fall, winter.
- Coastal estuary, salt marsh, riparian
- Location: From Seaward Ave., turn south onto Harbor Blvd. Park on the street just before the Santa Clara Bridge. Follow trail to river bottom. If flooded, cross bridge to McGrath and park in the campground or park at Surfer’s Knoll off Spinnaker Dr. and walk bown the beach.
- Highlights: terns, plovers (Least Tern, Snowy Plover nest), Peregrine Falcon (winter).
- Best Season: All year
- Coastal strand, dunes, and marsh.
- Location: There are three access points: west end at Port Hueneme Park (fee to park), from Perkins Rd., and east end from Arnold Road.
- Highlights: Endangered Least Tern/Snowy Plover nesting site. Sea and shorebirds, terns, Brown Pelican, bitterns. Rare migrants often found.
- Best Season: All year, especially summer for shorebirds; late spring and summer for nesting species.
- Part of Pt. Mugu State Park with coastal sage scrub, eucalyptus and sycamore groves
- Location: Off Hwy 1 (PCH) south of Mugu Rock about 4 miles. Park on highway or pay day use fee.
- Highlights: thrashers, towhees, migrant flycatchers and warblers, grosbeaks, woodpeckers.
- Best Season: Early spring, summer, fall
- Coastal scrub, grasslands, oak woodlands
- Location: Off Lynn Road in Newbury Park. Look for the sign reading “National/State Park”. Turn south and follow the road to parking.
- Highlights: towhees, roadrunners, woodpeckers, sparrows, wrens, hawks, Lazuli Buntings (spring/summer), Blue Grosbeaks (spring/summer)
- Best Season: All year; best in spring
- Varied city park habitat: cactus, oak, grassy areas, chaparral
- Location: Exit Hwy 101 at Camarillo Springs Rd. Park entrance is on the north side of the freeway.
- Cactus Wren, Hermit Thrush, Ground Dove, Cedar Waxwings, raptors, bluebirds, woodpeckers, kinglets.
- Best Season: All year, especially fall, winter, spring.
- Fishing pond with islands and a natural-bottomed waterway with paved bike path.
- Location: The park is at Erringer Rd. and Royal Av. in Simi Valley, and the Arroyo can be accessed either from the park or from Madera Rd. and East St..
- Highlights: Ducks, geese, herons, egrets, night-herons, cormorants, gulls, Sora, Black-necked Stilt, Belted Kingfisher, warblers, and swallows. Many species breed here.
- Best Season: All year, especially spring, fall, winter.
- Lake, oak woodland, chaparell
- Location: From Hwy 126 in Piru, go north on Main St. and follow the road to Lake Piru Recreation Area. There is an entrance fee.
- Highlights: Water birds, raptors, swallows, woodpeckers, and California Condor.
- Best Season: All year, especially spring, fall, winter.
- Lake area, freshwater marsh, oak woodland, open meadows
- Location: From Ventura off 101, take Hwy 33 inland towards Ojai. Exit Casitas Vista Rd. Turn right. Go under fwy, past Foster Park to 1st turn right (Santa Ana Rd.). Follow that to the lake. Past the entrance (there is a $6.50 admission fee), turn right and follow the road around to the other side of the lake.
- Highlights: Sparrows, grosbeaks, Clark’s and Western Grebes, Osprey, Western Bluebird, raptors, woodpeckers, nuthatches. Bald Eagles have bred there.
- Best Season: All year; best winter and spring.
- Varied habitat – live oak, open grassy areas, creekside trails
- Location: Steckel Park is on Hwy 150 between Santa Pauls and Ojai. Santa Paula Canyon trailhead is about 2 miles north, just past St. Thomas Acquinas School. Park on the highway.
- Highlights: woodpeckers, raptors, warblers, kinglets, vireos in park. Canyon yields spring warblers, vireos, flycatchers, Dippers, tanagers, orioles, grosbeaks, wrens (Canyon), swifts, Costa’s Hummingbird, Golden Eagle, Zone-tailed Hawk (especially in winter).
- Best Season: All year, especially spring.
