Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd)

California · Southwest

Habitat
LakeRiver/Riparian
Best Seasons
FallWinterSpring
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-May

About This Location

Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd) is a productive birding destination in California, with 239 species recorded on eBird. This lake and river/riparian habitat attracts Cackling Goose, American Wigeon, and Hooded Merganser 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

Black-headed Grosbeak

Pheucticus melanocephalus

3/6/2026Howard Street, Santa Rosa US-CA (38.4488,-122.7142)1 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

3/6/20269500–9664 Green Valley Rd, to Ross Station Rd.2 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

3/4/2026Penry Park1 observed

Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana

3/2/202672 E Washington St, Petaluma US-CA 38.23583, -122.638171 observed

Common Black x Red-shouldered Hawk (hybrid)

Buteogallus anthracinus x Buteo lineatus

2/27/2026Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd)1 observed

Loggerhead Shrike

Lanius ludovicianus

2/25/2026185 Carmody Road, Petaluma, California, US (38.272, -122.843)1 observed

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

2/25/2026Bodega Bay--Diekman's Store area1 observed

American Dipper

Cinclus mexicanus

2/23/2026Armstrong Redwoods SP1 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle x Audubon's)

Setophaga coronata

2/23/2026Bloomfield (Town)1 observed

Vega Gull

Larus vegae

2/23/2026Jenner Beach1 observed

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

2/21/2026Bodega Bay--Diekman's Store area1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

23/6/2026

Mourning Dove

23/6/2026

Anna's Hummingbird

23/6/2026

Turkey Vulture

33/6/2026

Red-shouldered Hawk

23/6/2026

Belted Kingfisher

13/6/2026

Nuttall's Woodpecker

13/6/2026

Hairy Woodpecker

13/6/2026

Northern Flicker

13/6/2026

California Scrub-Jay

23/6/2026

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

33/6/2026

Oak Titmouse

23/6/2026

Violet-green Swallow

13/6/2026

Bushtit

33/6/2026

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

13/6/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

23/6/2026

Brown Creeper

23/6/2026

Bewick's Wren

13/6/2026

European Starling

23/6/2026

Western Bluebird

23/6/2026

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd) for birding?
The best months to visit Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd) for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd)?
Notable species at Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd) include Cackling Goose, American Wigeon, Hooded Merganser, California Quail, Eurasian Collared-Dove. The area supports lake, river/riparian habitats.
How difficult is birding at Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd)?
Birding at Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd) is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd)?
Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Delta Pond (west of Willowside Rd) offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.