Great Egret on the River Walk Trail
A truly amazing place to visit!
From Great Egrets to Great Blue Herons. From Shoveler Ducks to Sandhill Cranes, the Cosumnes River Preserve in Galt, California is a great place to go for hikers, photographers and birders alike. I spent the morning exploring the Wetlands and River Walk Trails. It did not disappoint. I spotted a Red-tailed Hawk, a Cinnamon-teal duck and a variety of small birds, including Marsh Wrens, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and White-breasted Nuthatches. I also got a chance to watch a beautiful arial display by a swoop of Tree Swallows... truly amazing! This is one of my favorite places to visit, especially for photography and it is a great time to see all the colors of spring along the trails.
Note: The Sandhill Cranes are migrating north for the breeding season as of 03/01/2026.
The Visitor Center
A great place to start. The staff is friendly and informative and the displays on wildlife throughout the center are amazing! Check out the Sandhill Crane display in thelobby to see how big they truly are. It's also a great place to talk with other birders and hikers to keep up with the latest sightings and tips.
Journeys Captured: My Travels at Cosumnes River Preserve
Great Blue Heron patiently waiting for a fish to swim by in one of the ponds on the River Walk Trail
Golden-crowned Sparrow perched on a gate at Desmond Road. I always like to look for songbirds wherever I am
Greater White-fronted Geese resting in the meadow along the Wetlands Walk Trail
A flock of Greater White-fronted Geese landing in a pond on the River Walk Trail
Red-tailed Hawk taking flight from a tree on Desmond Road