Birding at Paicines Ranch
A Unique Birding Destination in the Heart of San Benito County
Paicines Ranch is one of central California's most distinct birding destinations. The 7,600 sprawling acres of Paicines Ranch include certified organic rangeland, remnant oak woodlands, seasonal wetlands, and seven miles of riparian corridor. The ranch has documented over 200 species of birds, from California endemics to unexpected rarities. Each acre of Paicines Ranch is managed thoughtfully in order to increase biodiversity and restore landscape ecology.
In 2025, the National Audubon Society awarded Paicines Ranch the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land designation through their Conservation Ranching program. This one of a kind certification recognizes our commitment to managing our rangeland for the benefit of both birds and biodiversity, while producing high-quality beef products.
Our location is part of the appeal: Paicines Ranch sits just 20 minutes north from Pinnacles National Park, and roughly 90 minutes from the Monterey Bay coast, putting some of central California's richest birding within easy reach of a single trip.
Whether you're a an experienced birder seasoned lister or enthusiastically picking up binoculars for the first time, Paicines Ranch offers something genuinely special: connection to a diverse, working landscape.
Habitats Exploring the Ranch
Outside of Headquarters, the best way to explore the ranch is on foot. Please stop by our Hospitality Office to ask about recent sightings, get a ranch map, and learn more about Paicines Ranch.
Pepper Tree Lane
Your birding experience begins the moment you turn off the highway. The mature pepper trees lining the ranch driveway create a unique microhabitat for songbirds, particularly during migration and breeding season when the canopy can be alive with activity. As you arrive, scan the open grasslands on either side for Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Loggerhead Shrikes, and Western Meadowlarks. In the winter, be on the look out for Prairie Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks.
Big Bird Pond
A “new” fixture of the ranch, Big Bird Pond was established in February of 2026. The ranch team worked hard to restore a former frost protection pond that had been dry for decades into a six acre stand of aquatic habitat. 80 species have already been seen at Big Bird Pond, and the list continues to grow.
Headquarters
California endemics such as Yellow-billed Magpies, California Quail, and California Towhees can often be seen as you stroll through the heart of the ranch. Acorn Woodpeckers, Anna’s Hummingbirds, and American Kestrels provide close-up views and excellent photography opportunities. At dawn and dusk, listen for resident Great Horned and Barn Owls. Look up and you might see a Barn Owl perching overhead in the palm fronds.
From the Overlook — our dining venue perched above the valley — you can scan for raptors working the thermals above the rangeland and waterbirds in Cienega Marsh below. Or you can walk up to our 25-acre certified organic vineyard and take in the abundance of cavity nest boxes and owl nest boxes installed throughout.
Teal Pond
Situated on the edge of Cienega Marsh, Teal Pond is an oasis for birds. As one of the only year-round sources of water on the ranch, Teal Pond is frequently teeming with life. Tricolored Blackbirds have nested here, and you can often see herons roosting in the surrounding trees and hear Soras calling. White-tailed Kites nest in the surrounding oaks and multiple pairs of Northern Harriers have nested at Teal Pond. Evenings bring herons roosting in the surrounding trees. Book a guided walk with our resident birder MK to see and hear the avian life of Teal Pond.
Paicines Reservoir
Currently the number one eBird hotspot in San Benito County, the Paicines Reservoir has recorded 219 species — including rarities such as Surf Scoter, Brant, Ruff, Eurasian Wigeon, Pacific Loon, White Wagtail, and Sabine’s Gull. Vehicle access is restricted, but guests can take a two-mile hike to reach the reservoir or set up their scopes at the reservoir pull off along Highway 25.
The Rangeland
The sweeping rangeland hillsides that make up the majority of the ranch are home to grassland birds including Western Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows. Raptors ride the thermals throughout the day — look up for anything from Swainson's Hawks to the occasional California Condor soaring above the ridgeline. If driving along Cienga Road (the southernmost border of the ranch), keep an eye out for Blue Grosbeaks in the summer. You can access much of the rangeland on foot but be aware of and follow signage you see along the way.
Bird Species
Paicines Ranch Birding Checklist
We’ve identified over 200 species on Paicines Ranch. Download our checklist to keep track of what you see during your visit.
Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land
In 2025, Paicines Ranch earned the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land designation through the National Audubon Society's Conservation Ranching program.
This certification recognizes ranches that actively manage their land for the benefit of birds and biodiversity. At Paicines Ranch, that means practices like intermittent grazing and extended periods of rest that allow pastures to complete full growth cycles — fostering the diverse and resilient habitats for birds.
"Ranches like these are becoming increasingly rare in California, either due to conversion or because of changes to habitat quality as a result of poor management and a changing climate. By committing to manage the ranch’s grasslands, blue oak woodlands, riparian forests, and agricultural lands for bird habitat and biodiversity, Sallie Calhoun and the Paicines Ranch team are ensuring that California’s rangeland birds have a chance at survival in an increasingly uncertain future." - Grace Ferguson, Conservation Ranching Manager for Audubon California.
Visit Us
Book a Guided Birding Experience
Our resident birder MK leads guided walks through ranch headquarters and down to Teal Pond — perfect for beginning birders and a rich complement to a day at Pinnacles for more experienced listers. MK is committed to accessibility in birding and happy to tailor the walk to your group's needs and interests.
Stay at the Ranch
Make a full birding weekend of it. Paicines Ranch offers lodging ranging from cozy one-bedroom cottages to spacious four-bedroom houses — all nestled in the heart of the ranch with access to miles of trails, dark skies for owling after dark, and the full range of habitats right outside your door.
