Mono Lake

California · West

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandDesert

Best Seasons

SummerFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

July-September

Entrance Fee

$3 per adult (Tufa State Natural Reserve)

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily; visitor center hours vary seasonally

About This Location

Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake in the eastern Sierra Nevada that supports enormous populations of brine shrimp and alkali flies, attracting millions of migratory birds. Wilson's Phalaropes and Red-necked Phalaropes gather by the hundreds of thousands, and the tufa towers create a surreal landscape.

Location

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Notable Species

Wilson's Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Eared Grebe California Gull Snowy Plover

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostris

3/4/2026stakeout Broad-billed Hummingbird, Salinas (2026)1 observed

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostris

3/4/2026stakeout Broad-billed Hummingbird, Salinas (2026)1 observed

Williamson's Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus thyroideus

3/4/2026Sapsucker Stakeout1 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle x Audubon's)

Setophaga coronata

3/4/2026Thousand Oaks Park (SCL Co.)1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/4/2026Ramona Community Park1 observed

Green-tailed Towhee

Pipilo chlorurus

3/4/2026Tijuana Slough NWR--South McCoy Trail area1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Mission Bay--De Anza Cove & Point1 observed

Lewis's Woodpecker

Melanerpes lewis

3/4/20263011 Pine Hills Road, Julian, California, US (33.076, -116.618)1 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

3/4/2026Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Malibu US-CA 34.09152, -118.809221 observed

Cassin's Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

3/4/2026Pacific Commons Linear Park1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/2026Pacheco Lane Pond (40.8668,-124.1143)1 observed

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/4/2026Whaley Park1 observed

Canyon Towhee

Melozone fusca

3/4/2026Palm Springs Aerial Tramway--base2 observed

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

3/4/2026Brookhurst Marsh1 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

3/4/2026Harborview Park and Freshwater Marsh - CBA 100371 observed

Cassin's Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

3/4/2026Brushy Peak Regional Park1 observed

Recent Observations

Turkey Vulture

Foxdale Drive, Desert Hot Springs, California, US (33.967, -116.49)

3/4/2026

150 birds

American Crow

My yard

3/4/2026

4 birds

Bushtit

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Lesser Goldfinch

My yard

3/4/2026

8 birds

White-crowned Sparrow

My yard

3/4/2026

4 birds

House Sparrow

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mourning Dove

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

California Scrub-Jay

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

My yard

3/4/2026

15 birds

Anna's Hummingbird

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Mockingbird

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Cooper's Hawk

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cedar Waxwing

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

Pygmy Nuthatch

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

4 birds

Townsend's Warbler

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

1 birds

California Towhee

Gattuso home 9515 Via Cielo, Atascadero, California, US (35.456, -120.624)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Rock Pigeon

Permanente Creek Trail

3/4/2026

6 birds

Birding Tips

1
Visit in late summer for peak phalarope numbers
2
The South Tufa area has the best access and views

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Bodie Ghost Town
Yosemite National Park

More in California

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Major California coastal wetland on Monterey Bay with 340+ bird species.

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Mono Lake for birding?▼

The best months to visit Mono Lake for birding are July-September. The best seasons are Summer and Fall.

What birds can I see at Mono Lake?▼

Notable species at Mono Lake include Wilson's Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, Eared Grebe, California Gull, Snowy Plover. The area supports wetland, desert habitats.

How difficult is birding at Mono Lake?▼

Birding at Mono Lake is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Mono Lake?▼

The entrance fee at Mono Lake is $3 per adult (Tufa State Natural Reserve). Hours: Dawn to dusk daily; visitor center hours vary seasonally.

What amenities are available at Mono Lake?▼

Mono Lake offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails.