Spring is here, and our grasslands are bursting with color and song. Vibrant wildflowers paint the hillsides, while migrating birds bring flashes of movement and melody to the landscape. As you wander the trails while bird-watching this season, practice the art of noticing. Nature’s beauties are out in fine form, from dazzling blooms at your feet to winged wonders soaring overhead. Read onward to learn about some of our favorite grassland species, their identifying features, and the Bay Area open spaces they love to frequent.
Why do Grasslands Matter?
Preserving the grasslands in our area is a responsibility that POST takes seriously. Human activities like the introduction of invasive species and development have placed these landscapes at considerable risk. Our grasslands are imperative to conserve as they play a crucial role in fighting climate change by storing carbon deep within their soil. They also offer valuable habitat — their residents include 40% of California’s native plant species like purple needle grass, tufted hair grass, blue wild rye, and stunning wildflowers in the spring. California’s remaining grasslands are humming with life, and birds are some of their most fascinating residents.
Tips for Birdwatching in the Grasslands
- Scan the skies. Grasslands are prime hunting grounds for birds of prey. Look for them soaring above, perched on lone trees, or gliding over the grass in search of small mammals.
- Listen for birdsong. Many grassland birds blend into their surroundings. Their songs, however, give them away.
- Visit at dawn or dusk. During these hours, temperatures are cooler, and predators are less active. Plus, golden hour lighting makes for beautiful birdwatching.
- Look for movement at ground level. That’s where many grassland species forage for insects.
- Follow the fence lines. Western bluebirds, shrikes, kestrels, and sparrows are among the birds that perch on fence posts to survey their surroundings.
Some of our Favorite Grassland Species
Mighty golden eagles rule the skies over grassy hillsides, and their role is vital in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Golden Eagle
One of the largest birds in North America, a golden eagle’s wingspan is about the length of a surfboard or a standard pool table. These majestic dark brown raptors have stunning golden head and neck feathers. Thanks to their powerful beak, talons, and eyesight, they’re expert hunters. You’ll likely spot them alone or in pairs, soaring steadily over open grasslands or diving after ground squirrels, rabbits, and other small prey. At Pescadero Ranch, a stunning 1,340-acre property in southern Santa Cruz County that POST protected last fall, this protected species shares space with multiple at-risk species including California red-legged frogs and steelhead trout.
CHARACTERISTICS
These majestic dark brown raptors have stunning golden head and neck feathers.
WHERE TO SPOT THEM
Visit Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve just south of San José, where they share skies with turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks.
If you see this bird perching on a fence post near an open pasture, it’s a promising sign. Their presence indicates that the landscape is in tip-top shape!
Grasshopper Sparrow
Known for their insect-like song, these charming brown-and-tan sparrows not only buzz like grasshoppers, they feast on them. That’s why they feel right at home at POST-protected Cloverdale Ranch, where they’re likely to cross paths with their favorite food source while ground foraging. Today, due to habitat loss, these tiny sparrows are listed as a California Species of Special Concern. With more than 4,500 acres of grassland along San Mateo County’s rugged coastline, the spacious property suits the birds’ need for a large habitat. In addition to providing a home for grasshopper sparrows and other precious wildlife, Cloverdale Ranch contributes significantly to our region’s environmental health offering carbon sequestration, three healthy watersheds, and prime soil for growing our local food supply.
CHARACTERISTICS
These small, brown-and-tan birds have orange or yellow markings.
WHERE TO SPOT THEM
Stroll the mostly flat Grasshopper Loop trail, which winds through working ranchlands, coastal grasslands, oak woodlands, and redwood forests.
These small thrushes weigh in a single ounce on average—that’s roughly the size of a jumbo marshmallow.
Western Bluebird
Since they’re primarily insectivores, Western bluebirds find that the grasslands make ideal foraging grounds. You’ll spy them still on low perches or swooping while catching their prey. They build their nests in tree cavities, such as natural hollows or the holes that woodpeckers leave behind. When it comes to parenting, these beauties believe in teamwork. In fact, they are among the 3% of species worldwide who are cooperative breeders. This means that young bluebirds help older ones—usually their parents or stepparents—raise their young while waiting to breed themselves. Though a species of least concern, their numbers have declined in recent years across much of their range.
CHARACTERISTICS
These rust-breasted birds feature head, wing, and tail plumage ranging from brilliant blue to duller browns and grays.
WHERE TO SPOT THEM
The thick grasslands and serpentine soil of Edgewood Park and Preserve feature stunning wildflowers in addition to awe-inspiring birds.
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As you explore the Bay Area’s grasslands this season, take a moment to appreciate the vital role these landscapes play—for birds, for ecosystems, and for us. Whether you’re scanning the skies for a golden eagle, listening for a grasshopper sparrow’s buzz, or spotting a pop of color from a western bluebird, every sighting signals the rich biodiversity near home. So grab your binoculars, hit the trails, and let the wonders of the grasslands unfold before you!
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Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 90,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more
