Point Pinos - seawatch only
California · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, dawn to dusk
About This Location
Point Pinos - seawatch only is a productive birding destination in California, with 287 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Canada Goose, Surf Scoter, and Black Oystercatcher 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
Common Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula
Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
Yellow-throated Warbler
Setophaga dominica
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Cynanthus latirostris
Bell's Sparrow
Artemisiospiza belli
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Mountain Bluebird
Sialia currucoides
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Yellow-throated Warbler (albilora)
Setophaga dominica
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Rhinoceros Auklet
Pigeon Guillemot
Black-footed Albatross
Surf Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
Anna's Hummingbird
Black Oystercatcher
Common Murre
Black-legged Kittiwake
Heermann's Gull
Short-billed Gull
Western Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Forster's Tern
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Birding Tips
- 1
Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.
- 2
Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.
- 3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.
- 4
Check eBird hotspot data before visiting to see recent sightings and what species are being reported.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Asilomar State Beach