The Binocular Site
Monterey Bay, California
Monterey Bay is on the Pacific coast of California, spanning across to touch Santa Cruz at the north end, and Monterey at the south end.
These open waters are well known for their diverse range of marine wildlife, and are an excellent location for whale watching.
Monterey Bay offers the chance to see many rare and vagrant species, and is reported to have been a stopping point for some Asian birds.
Many habitats can be found around the coastal areas of Monterey Bay including fresh and brackish marshes, grasslands, coastal beaches, and riparian corridors. Last but certainly not least, the pelagic birdwatching offered by many charters around the bay is amazing. A visit to the Monterey Bay is sure to add plenty of birds to your life list.
Being on the Pacific flyway you can expect to see the best of the fall migration in September when shorebirds arrive in the thousands. Over the open waters you can often see Buller's Shearwaters, Horned Puffins, Layson Albatrosses, Red Phalaropes, and Black Storm-Petrels.
Around the coast look for Cedar Waxwings, Golden Eagles, Cinnamon Teal, Black-necked Stilts, Long-billed Curlews, and a slew of other shorebirds.
The official state bird of California is the California Quail and you can find a checklist for birdwatching activities in California here.
Photo credit to Franco Folini, used with permission under the creative commons license. You can learn more about the birding opportunities at Monterey Bay and their birding festival here.If you've visited Monterey Bay, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this California bird watching location below.
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