The San Diego/northern Baja California, Mexico area has an extremely diverse bird fauna and a very active group of bird observers who readily share their observations. This web site provides visitors a way to tap into the recent bird reports for the region.
San Diego Field Ornithologist's Telephone/Recorder: (619) 688-2473 "bird nut" or email to Mike Evans, aves@mac.com
MEETINGS
May 16, 2006 (Tues, 7:00 p.m.) San Diego Field Ornithologists: Tecolote Nature Center, E-end, Tecolote Rd, off I-5. Topic to be announced.
FIELD TRIPS
Spring 2006 Searcher Pelagic Trip (San Diego)
Searcher Natural History Tours, with trip leaders Walter Wehtje, Todd McGrath and David Compton has scheduled a trip from San Diego to the Santa Barbara Channel and points along and past the continental shelf, 26-30 April 2006 (see flier).
HIGHLIGHTS OF FIELD REPORTS
Purple Martin: seen in migration in several locales, 4/27-28/06--Camp Pendleton, La Jolla, Tijuana Slough NWR and Border Field SP
Northern Parula, 4/28/06, Point Loma Nazarene Univ., betw Alumni House & gardener's shed: Joe Worley
Black-throated Sparrow, 4/27-28/06, La Jolla, Crespo Dr, W-slope, Mt Soledad [unusual coastal location for this desert species]: Bill Doyle
Yellow-crowned Night Heron, 4/27/06, Famosa Slough, channel S-San Diego R flood channel: Pam Barrett
Harris Hawk (subAd), 4/25/06, Borrego Springs, Broken Arrow Rd, N-Tilting T Rd (R. Thérault) [not reported later]
Broad-billed Hummingbird, 1 (M/Alt), 4/14/06-4/17/2006, Ramona area, betw Santa Teresa Vly & Hatfield Crk: Carter, Butch, Evans, Mike, & Miller, Leo. [may be gone as of 4/20/06]
CONTRIBUTE TO BIRD RESEARCH
Burrowing Owl Status in California
The California Partners in Flight (part of Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) Conservation Science) is seeking volunteers to assist in a state-wide Burrowing Owl survey, beginning in spring 2006, to answer key questions about the status of the species in California, including how the statewide population has changed since the 1993 census of the species. See the PRBO web page on Burrowing Owls to see how you can contribute. You can also contact Bob Wilkerson or Rodney Siegel at owl@birdpop.org or 415-663-2051.
BIRDING SITE HIGHLIGHTS
Tijuana River Valley:
General Location: More than half the watershed of the Tijuana River is located in Baja California, Mexico (see regional map), but the river enters the the Tijuana River Valley at the international border and forms the Tijuana Estuary where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. Much of the river valley and most of the estuary has been been preserved by various agencies and is available for bird watching (see local map).
The bird fauna of the Tijuana River Valley has been well studied since the 1960's, beginning with the pioneering work of Guy McCaskie, who lives nearby. The valley should always be on the itinerary for birding in the southwest part of San Diego County. Mary Beth Stowe has an excellent set of web pages highlighting birding areas of San Diego County; her coverage of the Tijuana River Valley is very useful (see here).
BIRDING AREA MAPS:
Good Birding!
Feedback: <mailto:aves@mac.com>