Birds

County Parks manages and protects thousands of acres of bird habitat, home to both resident species as well as seasonal visitors migrating along the Pacific Flyway. The diversity of habitat types found across County parks supports hundreds of different species of birds and provides park users with great opportunities for bird watching.

Birding basics

If you’re curious about nature and enjoy practicing your observation skills, give bird watching a try. Watch the video below to learn a little bit more about observing birds in nature before your next County park visit.

Nest boxes

A barn owl in a nest box at Martial Cottle County Park (Photo courtesy of Charles Friedericks)

While exploring our parks, you may notice boxes mounted on posts or hanging from trees. These boxes provide additional nesting habitat for birds like Barn Owls and American Kestrels that like to nest in the hollows of old trees. 

Nesting Barn Owls and American Kestrels must hunt large amounts of rodents such as mice, voles, and gophers in order to feed their growing chicks. Kestrels hunt during the day and Barn Owls at night - together these birds of prey provide effective and localized rodent control.

Volunteers play a critical role in monitoring the nest boxes in County parks. During the breeding season, volunteers regularly visit and observe bird activity. The information collected by volunteers helps County Parks determine how our bird populations are doing and provides great opportunities to educate the public on local bird species.