Fall and winter is the best period of time for birding this Hotspot. Upon arrival scan the open lawns for plover flocks checking carefully for the smaller, more golden-colored Pacific Golden-Plover among Black-bellied Plovers (fall and winter). Look through the trees near the parking lot for any warbler activity and for sparrows feeding on the ground. A walk along the cypress trees at the western edge of the park may be good for warblers during periods of migration. Sparrows will often be found below these tree rows. Keep your eyes on the sky for any raptors such as Ferruginous Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, or flocks of migrating swallows.

The large soccer/football field and softball field will attract Killdeer, Black-bellied Plover, Wilson's Snipe, and American Pipit in winter. This location is a consistent place to find Pacific Golden-Plover in the county. However, this species is irregular in occurrence and may be absent. Plovers are easily startled by early morning dog walkers and will fly out of the park into nearby fields, so it is best to check the lawn early in the morning. In wet winters or after periods of heavy rain the southwest corner of the ball field will flood and can be good for sandpipers, yellowlegs, and dowitchers.

Jack O'Connell Park has also been a reliable place to find over-wintering Vermilion Flycatcher beginning in October. These have been recorded here for a number of years. Check the fences around the main portion of the park, on the playground equipment, or into the adjacent sewage treatment plant.

The sewage ponds will attract a number of waterfowl including teal and scaup among the common duck species. When gulls are present look for Short-billed Gull and occasionally Bonaparte’s Gull. During periods of phalarope migration, Wilson's and Red-necked Phalarope will be found feeding in the settling ponds.

A few unusual species have been recorded at this Hotspot despite the low number of trees. Blackbird flocks may include Tricolored Blackbird. Rarities include Wood Duck, Ruff, American Golden-Plover, Clay-colored Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Tropical Kingbird.

Jack O'Connell Park is found on the western side of Guadalupe. The parking lot is located on Calle Ceasar E. Chavez north of West Main Street (Highway 166). Or you can park on the street either on the east or south sides of the large ball field. Hours are sunrise to sunset.

Suggested Hotspot boundaries: Guadalupe Sewage Treatment Plant (north), Calle Cesar E. Chavez (east), West Main Street/Highway 166 (south), 8th Street (agriculture field) (west)

Jack O'Connell Park is a large lawn space without many other habitats to speak of except for a few planted pines and small trees around the parking lot, and a row of cypress trees to the west and south. You can walk up to the edge of the Guadalupe Sewage Treatment Plant from within the park. There is no access to the sewage plant, but two of the settling ponds are visible over the fence. During the fall sports season, there may be games taking place with many spectators present, otherwise, the park has few visitors much of the time.

NOTE - Do not trespass into the ag fields outside of the park, and avoid walking 8th Street toward the house, barn, and cow pens at the gated entrance to the sewage plant. The land owner here can be hostile to birders. From the very northwest corner of the park, you can scan this area with binoculars or a spotting scope to look through the blackbird flocks on the power lines.