If you’re a bird enthusiast, Big Bear is the perfect place for you to get your fix. With over 250 species of birds in the area, you’re sure to see plenty of feathered friends while you’re here. The best time to go bird-watching is during the spring and fall migration seasons. However, there are plenty of birds to be seen year-round.
Some of the birds you might see while bird watching in Big Bear include:
- Cinnamon Teal
- California Quail
- Horned Grebe
- Brown Pelican
- American White Pelican
- Great Engret
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Bald Eagle
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Merlin
- Spotted Owl
- Mountain Plover
- Olive-sided Flycatcher
- Pinyon Jay
- Cassin’s Finch
Be sure to bring your binoculars and a bird identification book so you can properly identify the birds you see. And, don’t forget to take plenty of pictures!
Download the Bird Watching Checklist from Chirp Nature Center
Before going birding in Big Bear, you need the bird checklist from Chirp Nature Center – a Big Bear based company.
Birding Hotspots
- Holcomb Valley
- Baldwin Lake
- Stanfield Marsh
- Sandalwood Marsh
- Juniper Point
- Grout Bay
- Metcalf Bay
- Bluff Lake
Top 3 Best Trails to Spot Birds
Although you are likely to see a great many of your bird targets anywhere in Big Bear, the following trails have been identified to provide dependable birdwatching for birdwatchers new to Big Bear.
1. The Pacific Crest Trail
With some comfortable shoes and a few hours to spare, you can explore the Pacific Crest Trail and see some of Big Bear Valley’s most stunning scenery. The trail runs from Washington all the way down to Mexico, passing right by breathtaking Big Bear Lake. For bird enthusiasts, stop and watch for nesting Redhead Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, Eared Grebes, and Common Nighthawks around the lake area. And don’t forget to come back in winter to see bald eagles hunt and nest around Big Bear Lake’s shoreline.
2. The Woodland Trail
If you’re a nature lover but new to hiking, the Woodland Trail is perfect for you. This beginner-friendly hike is only 1.5 miles long, and it’s mostly flat with a few small hills. You might even see some wildlife like Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Plain Titmice, or Band-tailed Pigeons!
3. Cougar Crest Trail
The six-mile-long Cougar Crest Trail begins just west of the Big Bear Discovery Center. As you travel upward on this trail, you may see some different bird species unique to California, including California Quails, Towhees, Thrashers, and Wrentits.
Have You Seen the Bald Eagle Live Cams on YouTube?
The Bald Eagle cams are provided by the Friends of Big Bear Valley.
Ready to Start Your Big Bear Birdwatching Adventure? Book with Big Bear Getaway Today!
We are a vacation rental company that has come to know what people come to Big Bear to do, and we help where we can. So, book one of our Big Bear cabins and vacation rentals today and get started on your birdwatching adventure in Big Bear! Chirp, Chirp, Chirp!
