Lake Los Carneros Park

California · Southwest

Habitat
LakeUrban Park
Best Seasons
FallWinterSpring
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

October-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open daily, sunrise to sunset

About This Location

Lake Los Carneros Park is a productive birding destination in California, with 276 species recorded on eBird. This lake and urban park habitat attracts Gadwall, Mallard, and Ruddy Duck among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Anna's x Costa's Hummingbird (hybrid)

Calypte anna x costae

3/5/2026Lake Los Carneros Park1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/2026Padaro Lane1 observed

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

3/4/2026Farren Road4 observed

Cassin's Vireo

Vireo cassinii

3/1/2026Chase Palm Park1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

3/1/2026Tecolotito creek at Glen Annie and Cathedral Oaks1 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

2/28/2026Cachuma Lake Park2 observed

Swinhoe's White-eye

Zosterops simplex

2/27/2026Valerio Street1 observed

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

2/25/2026Atascadero Creek--East of Patterson including Mitigation Area1 observed

Western Flycatcher

Empidonax difficilis

2/22/2026Old RR Grade X More Mesa - 34.42426, -119.801721 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Ruddy Duck

13/5/2026

Pied-billed Grebe

13/5/2026

Acorn Woodpecker

23/5/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

3/5/2026

Bewick's Wren

23/5/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

33/5/2026

Gadwall

13/5/2026

Mallard

3/5/2026

Anna's Hummingbird

13/5/2026

Sora

23/5/2026

American Coot

3/5/2026

Ring-billed Gull

43/5/2026

Great Egret

13/5/2026

Cooper's Hawk

23/5/2026

Red-shouldered Hawk

23/5/2026

Red-tailed Hawk

13/5/2026

Hairy Woodpecker

13/5/2026

Northern Flicker

13/5/2026

Black Phoebe

23/5/2026

Cassin's Kingbird

13/5/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.

  4. 4

    A spotting scope is essential here — many waterbirds stay far from shore and are difficult to identify with binoculars alone.

  5. 5

    Winter months bring peak waterfowl diversity — visit November through February for the best duck and goose viewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Lake Los Carneros Park for birding?
The best months to visit Lake Los Carneros Park for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Lake Los Carneros Park?
Notable species at Lake Los Carneros Park include Gadwall, Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Anna's Hummingbird, Sora, Townsend's Warbler, Heermann's Gull, Band-tailed Pigeon, Allen's Hummingbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Acorn Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker. The area supports lake, urban park habitats.
How difficult is birding at Lake Los Carneros Park?
Birding at Lake Los Carneros Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Lake Los Carneros Park?
There is no entrance fee at Lake Los Carneros Park. Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
What amenities are available at Lake Los Carneros Park?
Lake Los Carneros Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.