Ventura Settling Ponds
California · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Ventura Settling Ponds is a productive birding destination in California, with 312 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Canada Goose, Cinnamon Teal, and Northern Shoveler 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
Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus
Swamp Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Poecile rufescens
American x Black Oystercatcher (hybrid)
Haematopus palliatus x bachmani
Short-billed Gull
Larus brachyrhynchus
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
American Coot
Western Gull
Pied-billed Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
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
Bring insect repellent — wetland areas can have significant mosquito activity, especially in warmer months.
- 5
Waterproof boots are recommended as trails near marshes can be muddy, especially after rain.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Ventura River Estuary
- Emma Wood State Beach
- Ventura Botanical Gardens
More in California
California Birding Guide
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