It is important to approach each pond very slowly when pulling off the road. During fall and winter when waterfowl are present, it is quite easy to spook the birds causing all of them to flush off the water. A helpful suggestion is to remain in your vehicle for a few minutes watching from inside your vehicle. Exit slowly and deliberately allowing the ducks to get accustomed to your presence before approaching the pond fence or setting up a scope. Use your vehicle as a blind as much as possible.

From each pond walk in either direction next to the road to check the vineyard rows, weedy margins, and plowed fields. A scope is helpful for scanning the ponds or the hilltops for raptors. Santa Maria Mesa Road is a public road, but do not trespass on private property from the road. 

Growing practices will occasionally clear an entire plot of land of vineyard stakes and old vines as the ground is plowed for future use. Huge flocks of roaming blackbirds, starlings, and pipits will be found in these plowed fields. This varies from year to year.

All three ponds are reliable for a variety of wintering waterfowl. Species recorded here include Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Green-winged Teal, a few Lesser Scaup, Blue-winged, and Cinnamon Teal. At least one of the ponds will have large numbers of Ring-necked Duck often approaching 100 birds total. Shorebirds will be found along the pond shorelines, and passerines will fly in to drink.

When large blackbird flocks are present in the area look for Tricolored Blackbird and the occasional Yellow-headed Blackbird (rare). Mountain Bluebird may be present in the vineyards and will sometimes be seen close to the road. Numbers vary from year to year and during some winters the species appears to be absent. Check any bluebird you may find perched on a vineyard stake. 

With unobstructed skies watch for raptors. In later winter months and early spring migrating swallows and Vaux's Swift will pass over the ponds, often circling to feed for a time before continuing north. Lesser Nighthawks may be found hawking insects over the ponds at sunset. This mainly occurs in July and August and can number several birds. 

In winter you will find American Pipit, Horned Lark, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Savannah Sparrow. Resident birds of the area include Brewer's Blackbird, Common Raven, Red-tailed Hawk, and Turkey Vulture. Rarities include Eurasian Wigeon, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Solitary Sandpiper, Bald Eagle, and Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Santa Maria Mesa Road ponds are about 10 miles east of Santa Maria from the Betteravia Road/101 Freeway exit. Three accessible ponds are located right next to Santa Maria Mesa Road with a pull-off area for parking next to each pond. Pull well off the road to stay clear of passing traffic. There is little parking along the road between these ponds, so birding is best done while at each pond. 

Suggested Hotspot boundaries: From the westernmost pond to the easternmost pond is a distance of approximately 2.5 miles. This Hotspot includes the viewing distance limits to the north and south of the road as the habitat is relatively uniform for its entire length.

The entrance to Cambria Winery is located near the easternmost pond at 5475 Chardonnay Lane View Map with a tasting room open daily. Visiting the winery would allow for birding into the otherwise private property at that location.