Putah Creek Riparian Preserve

The UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve is a 640-acre natural riparian and grassland ecosystem that runs along the North shore of Putah Creek from Pedrick Road to the UC Davis campus and continues to Mace Boulevard. Maintained and operated by the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, the campus utilizes the Reserve for teaching and research purposes, wildlife and habitat protection, and community engagement.

Common Resident and Breeding Birds: Mallard and Wood Ducks, Great Blue, Green, and Black-crowned Night Herons, Belted Kingfishers and Killdeer can be found in and along the stream. California Quail, Wild Turkey, Oak Titmouse, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Nuttall’s and Downy Woodpeckers, Western Bluebirds, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Bewick’s and House Wrens, Tree, Barn, Violet-green, and Rough-winged Swallows, Song Sparrows, House Finch, American and Lesser Goldfinch, Brewer’s and Red-winged Blackbirds, California Scrub Jays, Black-headed Grosbeaks, California and Spotted Towhees are common resident birds. Yellow-billed Magpies, American Kestrels, Red-tailed and Swainson’s Hawks, Savannah Sparrows can be found in or flying above the grasslands. 

Migrants: Putah Creek is a wonderful location to bird during both Spring and Fall migration. An assortment of passerines pass through this rich riparian area that has plentiful water year-round. Common migrants include: Western Flycatchers, Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray, Wilson’s, Yellow, MacGillivray’s, and Nashville Warblers, and Western Tanagers. On occasion Eastern warblers including Black and White, Blackpoll, Cape May and Blackburnian Warblers have been spotted. Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Lazuli and Painted Buntings have been seen in the grape tangles and drinking from the creek in what is known as “The Bird Bath” located half way between the Pedrick Road and Hopkins Road Parking Areas as well as near Mace Boulevard.