Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve--from entrance to sand plant (not for beach/ocean)

Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve--from entrance to sand plant (not for beach/ocean)

Guadalupe, California 93434

Official Website
Dunes Center website

Tips for Birding

Park in the dirt area at the entrance to the preserve and walk the length of the road from the kiosk to the sand mining plant birding the willow-riparian habitat and pasture.

Birds of Interest

The willow corridor at the preserve entrance is a breeding habitat for Yellow and Wilson’s Warbler, and Swainson’s Thrush during spring and summer. These birds can be heard singing from within the dense foliage. Other resident species include Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Song Sparrow, and Hutton’s Vireo. During fall migration, this Hotspot can be good for warblers. Several rarities have been found in this area.

During periods of rain, the open pasture to the south of the road will occasionally flood, creating pools of standing water that will attract waterfowl, including geese, shorebirds, and occasionally White-faced Ibis. At other times it attracts flocks of blackbirds, including Tricolored. Northern Harrier and White-tailed Kite may be found hunting over the open pasture. The road may be closed during extremely rainy weather as the area is prone to flooding.

Rarities include Sandhill Crane, Magnificent Frigatebird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Gray Catbird, Magnolia Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Dickcissel.

About this Location

Guadalupe Dunes Preserve is located 3 miles west of the town of Guadalupe on West Main Street (Highway 166) View Map. Park hours are 7:00 AM to sunset. There is no parking along the road beyond the gate, but there is a wide dirt area to the right as you approach the gate for parking. Be sure to lock your vehicle and take valuables with you. Birding can be done by walking the length of the road to the sand mining plant, a distance of about .8 miles. There is ample room to move out of the way for passing vehicles.

Suggested Hotspot boundaries: The habitat bordering both sides of the road from the entry gate, including the ag land just outside the entrance, to the sand mining plant. Use the other Hotspot, Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve, including Santa Maria River Estuary (SBA Co.) when birding at Guadalupe Beach and the Santa Maria River estuary to keep species tied to habitat and land bird checklists separate from beach and ocean checklists.

Walking the entrance road will expose you to only a relatively small section of the extensive willow-riparian habitat found in the lower Santa Maria River valley. In fall, bird activity depends on mixed flocks moving through the trees, so timing is key. There may be a lot of bird activity here, while at other times, it will appear relatively birdless. Morning hours are best. Spring winds will make for difficult birding conditions. In summer, it may remain foggy all day.

A portable toilet is available next to the entrance kiosk, and a pit toilet is available at the beach parking lot. Dogs are not permitted. Do not trespass on private property off the road. The gate is typically closed on Mondays until 12:00 PM for road maintenance and sand removal.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

  • Roadside viewing

Content from Jamie Chavez

Last updated March 23, 2024

Suggested Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve Entrance to Sand Plant Hotspot Boundaries
Jamie Chavez