Wildlife watching

Wildlife Watching at Sutter NWR:

Wildlife viewing at Sutter is limited to Hughes Road (which bisects the refuge) during the winter, and the Seasonal Trails that are available Feb 15 – June 30.  In early spring, ducks and waterbirds feed in the seasonal marshes. As spring moves forward, shorebirds feed on the mudflats as wildflowers bloom in the grasslands. Summer's arrival brings breeding songbirds to the cool, shady riparian areas.

There are lots of additional places to visit across the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex!  FOR MORE INFORMATION about where to go to view wildlife visit our:

Auto Tours, Trails and Bicycling page

Seasons of Wildlife

You can expect to see something different every time you visit the Complex, depending on the SEASON:

FALL means the return of migratory waterfowl in September, whose numbers build into the WINTER until they peak in late November and early December. Raptors follow and eagles, hawks and falcons are easy to see. In late December as new areas across the valley fill with rainwater, ducks will start to disperse while goose numbers peak, but by late January wildlife viewing of the massive flocks becomes less reliable as they move across the valley, though it is still very impressive! The arrival of SPRING means that our winter guests start to head north again to breed, and bird numbers decline and wetlands are drawn down to germinate food plants on the warming soil. Shorebirds stop by on their way north to take advantage of the shallow drawdowns. SUMMER brings irrigations to produce seed-bearing plants and support resident wildlife like mallards, Canada geese, herons, egrets, grebes, snakes, turtles, otters, rabbits, deer and many more! The refuges remain dotted with a few permanent wetlands for our year-round residents until the following FALL when flood-ups begin again to prepare for the returning migrants.

What to Expect:

• January: wildlife viewing is less reliable as birds disperse to find food. Waterfowl counts average 995,000 and 100% of the wetlands are flooded.
• February: Winter burning is done to rejuvenate vegetation and nutrients. Waterfowl counts average 548,000 and 99% of the wetlands are flooded.
• March: Drawdowns begin to germinate food plants and prepare for summer field work. Waterfowl numbers decline as they migrate north. Waterfowl counts average 243,000 and 95% of the wetlands are flooded.
• April: Shorebirds stop by to use the shallow drawdowns on their way north; neotropical songbirds also stop by on their way north. Waterfowl counts average 80,000 and 75% of the wetlands are flooded.
• May: Nesting occurs for summer residents. Waterfowl counts average 6,700 and 15% of the wetlands are flooded.
• June: Irrigations are done to bring food plants to maturity; grazing occurs to manage invasive species and encourage native plants; field work begins. Waterfowl counts average 6,900 and 15% of the wetlands are flooded.
• July: Field work continues to control invasive species and enhance habitat. Waterfowl counts average 6,300 and 15% of the wetlands are flooded.
• August: Summer residents remain:  mallards, wood ducks, herons, egrets, grebes, swallows, turtles, snakes, jackrabbits, deer, otters and many more! Waterfowl counts average 23,000 and 15% of the wetlands are flooded.
• September: Fall flood-ups begin and are staggered to provide fresh food for newly arriving migrants. Shorebirds stop by on their way south. Waterfowl counts average 348,000 and 25% of the wetlands are flooded.
• October: Ducks arrive by the thousands. Waterfowl counts average 1,500,000 and 75% of the wetlands are flooded.
• November: Geese arrive by the thousands, and waterfowl numbers peak at the end of the month. Evening fly-offs occur at dusk as birds go out to feed in the rice. Waterfowl counts average 1,800,000 and 95% of the wetlands are flooded.
• December: Waterfowl numbers peak at the beginning of the month, and raptor numbers peak as they follow the waterfowl. Ducks disperse across the valley at the end of the month, as goose numbers peak. Waterfowl counts average 1,400,000 and 100% of the wetlands are flooded.