Californiawinter wildlife

Where is migrating and wintering wildlife peaking in California right now?

No official report has come in for winter wildlife yet this season. Next to start: San Joaquin River Refuge, usually from Oct 1.

Updated Sep 28.

Places by state

California

Official reports

Dated and linked

Sep 28Park ServiceLesser sandhill cranes mid-September to early March; snow geese from late October; the San Luis complex calendarSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Merced NWR: Species in a new tab)
Sep 28Park Service5-mile auto tour and trails, open daily half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; no fee; Cottonwood trailSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Merced NWR: Visit us in a new tab)
Sep 28Park ServiceWhen and where to see gray whales, pets, fees, accessibility and seasonal weatherSource (opens National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore: Whale Watching in a new tab)
National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.

Show all 12

Sep 28Park ServiceWhale peak viewing months, best whale spots, lighthouse access and dog rulesSource (opens National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore: Frequently Asked Questions in a new tab)
Sep 28Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife on the refuge and the complex, including the November–December complex-wide waterfowl peak.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento NWR: Species in a new tab)
Sep 28Park ServiceComplex seasons, hours, passes and fees, pet rules, accessibility and weather.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Sep 28Park ServiceThe 6-mile auto tour and its rules, the Wetland Walk, seasonal trails and bicycling season.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento NWR Complex: Auto Tours, Trails & Bicycling in a new tab)
Sep 28Park ServiceMonth-by-month calendar: wildflowers in bloom in AprilSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Species (Nature's Calendar) in a new tab)
Sep 28Park ServicePelican Nature Trail and the seasonal Beckwith Wildlife Observation Area (mid-October to mid-March)Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us in a new tab)
Sep 27Park ServiceWildflowers bloom February through August; Abbotts Lagoon, Chimney Rock and Tomales Point bloom earlySource (opens National Park Service, Point Reyes wildflowers in a new tab)
Sep 27Park Service1.75-mile trail known for spring wildflowers; elephant seals December through MarchSource (opens National Park Service, Chimney Rock (Point Reyes) in a new tab)
Sep 27Park ServiceWindy springs; heavy fog on beaches July–September; clearest days late September to early NovemberSource (opens National Park Service, Point Reyes weather in a new tab)
National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.

Questions people ask

Where can I see winter wildlife in California?

We track 4 places: Merced Refuge (its season: Sep 15–Mar 10), Point Reyes (its season: Dec 1–Feb 15), Sacramento Refuge (its season: Nov 1–Dec 31) and San Joaquin River Refuge (its season: Oct 1–Mar 31).

When is peak winter wildlife in California in 2026?

It depends on the place and the animal. Of the places we track in California, the earliest season starts at Merced Refuge (Sep 15–Mar 10) and the latest runs at San Joaquin River Refuge (Oct 1–Mar 31). Each place page gives its own season and the animals behind it.

Where can I see sandhill cranes in California?

At Merced Refuge (September–March) and San Joaquin River Refuge (September–March), by each refuge's own calendar. Numbers vary from year to year and day to day.

How do you track winter wildlife?

Each place moves through 4 stages: Birds arriving, Numbers building, Peak numbers and Birds departing. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.