Birding At the Site 
As you approach the Day Use Area while traveling on McIntire Rd. look for hawks on telephone poles, fence posts, oak trees, or soaring high above. Other birds of interest include Western Meadowlark, White- and Golden-crowned sparrows, Western Kingbird, Western Bluebird, and White-tailed Kite, depending on the time of year. At the end of McIntire is the entrance road to the day use area. In late summer and early fall, flocks of American and Lesser goldfinches can be seen, feeding on thistles in the grassy areas on both sides of the road.

Begin birding the trails after parking in either the western- or eastern-most parking lot. Several riverside trails lead out from both lots. Check out the river before you begin walking. Also check the tops of trees for hawks, Osprey, and vultures. A look at the sky will usually reveal one or more birds soaring. Quite often one can find Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed, Swainson’s, and Red-shouldered hawks soaring and gliding together. Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned hawks are attracted to this area as well. Bald Eagles are occasionally seen flying overhead.

Spring is a favorite time of the year because of the diversity of bird life and the wonderful vocalizations that one hears while walking from one end of the park to the other. Migrants can be seen flitting around, especially where the oaks grow close together, forming a closed canopy. Wilson’s, Yellow, and other warblers plus Bullock’s Oriole are fairly dependable here. This canopied grove is also a place to look for Great Horned, Barn, and Western Screech-Owl (after dark, rare). In winter, Varied Thrush is a possibility where trees grow densely together. Black Phoebes are seen and heard throughout the year. Ash-throated Flycatchers nest in spring. In the spring and fall, if you are lucky, Olive-sided Flycatcher (rare) and Western Wood-Pewee can be seen fly catching from a high perch.

Willow Flycatcher migrates through in spring and fall. Pacific-slope Flycatcher is found in the park spring through early fall, apparently nesting in a few locales.

Walking along the river’s bank can be both fun and productive. Orange-crowned Warblers hunt for insects in the willows and alders. Yellow-breasted Chats have been spotted in late spring and early summer, but none have been reported in recent years. Dense riparian thickets and swampy ground dominated by vine tangles, willows and lush, low shrubs interspersed by taller trees are their favored habitat. Spotted Sandpipers are occasionally seen walking along the water’s edge. When the salmon and steelhead are running Turkey Vulture, Osprey, and Bald Eagle (rare) feed on the dying fish that wash up on shore. Pied-billed Grebes can be found in the quieter waters. The river is also a good place to see Common Merganser and occasional Common Goldeneye loafing or at work diving for small fish and invertebrates. Sometimes Herring Gulls fly above and around the river on the lookout for an easy snack.

There used to be a small egret/heron rookery on the north bank of the river, just down from the dam, but they seem to have moved on. Turkey Vultures roost here especially during the salmon run.

Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Bushtit can be found as you walk among the oaks. Hutton’s Vireo is especially attracted to interior live oak but is certainly not guaranteed. It might be seen working the inner canopy, hopping from twig to twig, gleaning insects, caterpillars, and spiders. In the grassy, leafy understory areas, Spotted and California towhees, California Quail, Fox and Lincoln’s sparrows, Hermit Thrush, and Pacific Wren carry on with their partially hidden, secret lives. In more open areas, the resident flock of Wild Turkey searches for acorns in the grass under oak trees during fall and winter months. Woodpeckers most often encountered include: Acorn, Nuttall’s, and Downy woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, and Red-breasted Sapsucker. Last but not least, the avid birder might hear or see a Rock Wren amongst the cobbles and rocks on the face of the dam and around the fenced-in fish ponds.