Sacramento Regional Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife Viewing Tips

The ultimate wildlife viewing experience is watching animals in their normal behavior. Here are some helpful tips to become a wildlife friendly viewer.

1. Silence is rewarding.This is the main tip for quality viewing. Walk softly, keep your voices low and turn off all cell phones and pagers. Calls or recordings to attract wildlife can stress animals by interrupting courtship, nesting, or feeding.
2. Move slowly and quietly so you don't disrupt wildlife behavior. Scattering herds or flocks causes them to use up valuable energy that may be needed for migration, nesting or breeding.
3. Keep your distance by staying on established trails. If wildlife change their behavior, become agitated, or stare at you, you are too close.
4. Let wildlife eat wild food. Avoid feeding wildlife. It can cause animals to become dependent on people for food and provides improper nutrition.
5. Tune up your senses. Cup your hands behind your ears to capture more sounds. Scan the horizon or trees for movement or odd shapes. Notice smells and wind direction.
6. Leave the site the way you found it. Leave natural items in nature and remove your litter.

Helpful Guides for Viewing Wildlife

• BIRDS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
  David Fix and Andy Bezener
• THE OUTDOOR WORLD OF THE SACRAMENTO REGION, A Local Field Guide
  The American River Natural History Association
• CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE VIEWING GUIDE
  Jeanne Clark
• BIRDING NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
  John Kemper