BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Including: Balboa Park,Batiquitos Lagoon, Encinitas, San Elijo Lagoon,San Diego Bay, Tijuana River NERR and Borderfield State Park

Spring 2013

Black-throated Magpie Jay Tijuana River San Diego County, CA March 31, 2013

Link to Previous Bird Surveys of San Diego County (December 2009 - January 2012)

2013 Bird Surveys Index

Balboa Park April 6, 2013

Encinitas March 30 & April 5, 2013

South San Diego Bay April 4, 2013

Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad April 3, 2013

Cabrillo National Monument April 2, 2013

San Elijo Lagoon April 1, 2013

Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and Borderfield State Park March 31, 2013

April 6, 2013 Balboa Park (31 Species)

Weather: AM overcast, clearing by 1000 hrs.

Time: 0815 - 1005 hrs.

Observers: Merissa Mendez and I.

Areas Covered: 1) Natural History museum and surrounding gardens (NHM). We walked on pathways around the museum complex, surveying mature (flowering) Eucalyptus woodland, assorted ornamental trees and shrubs, lawns and gardens. 2) Desert Garden (DG). We crossed the roadway adjacent to the NHM and entered the well-maintained desert garden of succulent plants from around the world, including cacti and euphorbs.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included Scott's Oriole (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 2 in fountain, NHM

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 calls, NHM.

Rock Pigeon 8 flying around, NHM.

Collared Dove calls, NHM.

Mourning Dove 2 flying, DG.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 vocal, one female on nest, DG.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, active in tall trees, NHM.

Western Scrub-jay 2 lower slopes, DG.

Empidonax sp. (probably Hammond's Flycatcher) not seen well; called once; active in Eucalyptus understory, NHM.

American Crow 4 fly, call, NHM; DG.

Common Raven 1 flying, DG.

Bushtit 4 vocal, active in shrubs, DG.

Bewick's Wren 1 song, downslope coastal sage chaparral , DG.

House Wren 1 song, DG.

Wrentit 1 song, downslope coastal sage chaparral, DG.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, DG.

California Thrasher 2 song, downslope coastal sage chaparral and in garden, DG.

European Starling calls, tops of Eucalyptus trees, NHM.

Cedar Waxwing calls, flying around the tops of Eucalyptus trees, NHM.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 song riparian-Eucalyptus woodland, NHM.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 3 vocal, active in Eucalyptus trees, NMH; DG.

Wilson's Warbler 1 song, riparian and ornamental plantings, NHM.

California Towhee 2 vocal, active beneath shrubs, DG, NHM.

Song Sparrow 3 vocal, ubiquitous in heavily vegetated areas, NHM.

White-crowned Sparrow 3 calls; active beneath shrubs, DG; NHM.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (m) vocal; flying and landing downslope, DG.

Hooded Oriole 3 (m,f) perched in tall shrubs, DG.

Scott's Oriole 2 (m) unmistakable bright yellow and black markings on these two orioles. the birds vocalized as they were chasing and interacting with each other through the cactus area; landed partly concealed behind shrubs; flew quickly downslope, DG.

House Finch 6 vocal, ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal, in taller trees, DG, NHM.

House Sparrow 4 vocal, active in gardens, NHM.

March 30 & April 5, 2013 Encinitas (45 Species)

Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, CA 5 April 2013

Weather: AM overcast with variable cloudiness in the afternoons; 57F to 64F; wind W 2 - 10 mph.; surf 1 -4 ft. Low tide 0700-0900 hrs.

Time: 0700 - 1200 hrs. (3/30/2013; 4/5/2013); 1800-1840 hrs (3/30/2013)

Areas Covered: 1) Moonlight Beach and adjacent suburban gardens (MB). I surveyed the beach and nearshore waters at low tide (3/30/2013; 4/5/2013; 4/). 2) Cottonwood Creek habitat restoration (CC). I surveyed the western (3/30/2013) and eastern (4/5/2013) sections of Cottonwood Creek, including the north-south easement between I-5 and suburban yards, beginning at the northeast corner of CC. The Cottonwood Creek area includes a small drainage stream with plantings of sycamore, willow, coast live oak and coastal sage scrub. The ecological restoration project began about five years ago and has resulted in a small (about 5 acres) yet significant addition to wetland habitat within the suburbs of Encinitas.

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 2 (f) in deeper portions of the CC drainage.

Common Loon 1 100 yards offshore, MB.

Red-throated Loon 1 diving outside the surf zone, MB.

Brown Pelican 8 flying low offshore, MB.

Green Heron 1 (ad) west and east; utility line (west side) and in shady willow canopy next to the stream (east side).

Willet 3 foraging on shore, MB.

Whimbrel 10 foraging on shore, MB.

Marbled Godwit 6 foraging on shore, MB.

Heermann's Gull 5 - 14 (imm) on sandy section of inner beach with other gulls and terns, MB.

Ring-billed Gull 5 (ad, imm) on sandy inner beach with other gulls, MB.

California Gull 10 (ad, imm) on iinner and outer beach, MB.

Herring Gull (possible hybrid) 1 C2 dark eyes; relatively large size with a light mantlle; on outer beach with WEGU, MB.

Western Gull 20 (ad, imm) on outer and inner beach with other gulls, MB.

Caspian Tern 1 fly, call offshore, MB.

Elegant Tern 60 several pairs and trios showing courtship behavior; flock agitated and highly vocal, taking flight over the shore and returning to the beach, MB (photo).

Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) Moonlight Beach, San Diego County, CA 5 April 2013

Royal Tern 4 (alt. plmg.) resting on the beach next to a large, vocal flock of ELTE, MB.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) in foreground; ELTE in background, Moonlight Beach, SDCO CA 5 April 2013

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls, utility lines, suburbs, MB.

Mourning Dove 2 fly, call east CC.

Anna's Hummingbird 5 calls; west and east CC.

Allen's Hummingbird 1 (m) in garden of adjacent suburb, MB.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, eucalyptus-riparian, east CC.

Downy Woodpecker 1 calls, riparian, east CC.

Black Phoebe 1 edge of bluffs, MB.

Cassin's Kingbird 2 calls on utility lines in the suburbs, MB; CC.

American Crow 10 ubiquitous, vocal.

Common Raven 4 flying together, CC.

Bushtit 20 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and coastal sage, CC.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal, upslope next to the drainage, CC.

House Wren 10 highly vocal, brushy and riparian areas, CC.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal, CC.

California Thrasher 2 vocal, riparian and adjacent coastal sage, CC.

European Starling 1 fly, CC.

Cedar Waxwing 12 flying over suburbs, CC.

Orange-crowned Warbler 10 ubiquitous, vocal; riparian, CC.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warber 6 vocal, active in a variety of vegetation types, CC, MB.

Wilson's Warbler 3 song; dense willow riparian, CC.

Common Yellowthroat 2 song, riparian drainage, CC.

Spotted Towhee 1 vocalizing on slope with ornamental trees and shrubs, CC.

California Towhee 6 vocal, active on the ground in a variety of vegetation types, CC; MB.

Song Sparrow 14 vocal, ubiquitous in well vegetated areas.

White-crowned Sparrow 8 vocal; riparian drainage and edge of coastal sage, CC.

Bullock's Oriole calls, riparian drainage, CC.

House Finch 10 vocal, ubiquitous, CC; MB.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 vocal, riparian trees, CC.

House Sparrow 10 adjacent suburbs with feeders, MB.

April 4, 2013 South San Diego Bay (48 Species)

Weather: Overcast to partly cloudy; 57F; wind W 5-10 mph. Low tide at 0800 hrs.

Time: 0855 - 1100 hrs.

Observers: Merissa Mendez and I.

Area Covered: From the northern end of 13th St. off HWY 75, we cycled the bikeway bordering south San Diego Bay, heading west then north along the western perimeter to Coronado St. (SDB). Habitats surveyed included open water, shoreline (mud, sand and rock), freshwater and tidal marsh, tidal drainage canals, salt ponds, salt marsh, weedy fields, sandy beach and nearshore waters of Silver Strand State Beach (SS). Bike traffic was moderate to light on the bikeway. We made numerous stops to scan for birds. We used 10x42 binoculars and a DSLR camera for the survey.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Brant (150), Blue-winged Teal (3) and Surf Scoter (30).

BIRDS NOTED

Brant 150 (conserv. est.) swimming near shore and in open water; many resting on shore, SDB (photo).

Brant (Branta bernicla) Southwest San Diego Bay, San Diego County, CA 4 April 2013

American Wigeon 3 (m,f) tidal channel, s SDB.

Mallard 1 tidal channel, s SDB.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) tidal channel, s SDB.

Blue-winged Teal 3 (m,f) tidal channel, s SDB.

Surf Scoter 30 (m,f) a tight flock diving outside surf zone, SS.

Western Grebe 35 open water, SDB; one in tidal channel, s SDB.

Brandt's Cormorant 2 flying offshore, SS.

Brown Pelican 10 diving 50-100 yards beyond the surf zone, SS.

Great Blue Heron 1 shoreline, s SDB.

Great Egret 1 shoreline, s SDB.

Snowy Egret 4 tidal channel and shoreline, s SDB.

Buteo sp. 1 not seen clearly. Hovering over weedy field with mudflats; later landed in tall palm, s SDB.

American Coot 25 tidal channel and shallows of bay, s SDB.

Killdeer 1 edge of tidal channel, s SDB.

Black-necked Stilt 120 tight flocks foraging on muddy shores of tidal channel, s SDB.

American Avocet 50 (alt. and bsc. plmg.) flocks resting on shore of tidal channel, s SDB (photo).

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) south San Diego Bay, San Diego County, CA 4 April 2013

Greater Yellowlegs calls, salt ponds, s SDB.

Willet 150 bay shoreline, SDB.

Marbled Godwit 60 tidal channel and bay shoreline, SDB.

Ruddy Turnstone 3 foraging on piles of kelp, SS (photo).

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Silver Strand State Beach, San Diego County, CA 4 April 2013

Dowitcher sp. 10 bashore mudflats, s SDB.

Least Sandpiper 6 bayshore mudflats, s SDB.

Sanderling 60 shoreline, SS.

Western Gull 5 outer shore, SS.

Forster's Tern 10 inner shoreline of bay with ELTE, s SDB.

Elegant Tern 500 vocal, courtship behavior on inner bay shoreline, s SDB.

Rock Pigeon 10 flying around suburbs, s SDB.

Collared Dove 2 fly, s SDB.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 vocal, coastal sage and saltbush, s SDB.

Say's Phoebe 1 open field and suburban garden, s SDB.

Cassin's Kingbird 3 together on fence adjacent to weedy field, s SDB.

American Crow 4 fly, call, s SDB.

Common Raven 3 fly, call, s SDB.

Cliff Swallow 10 collecting mud from side of tidal channel, s SDB (photo).

Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota) south San Diego Bay, San Diego County, CA 4 April, 2013

House Wren 1 song weedy field next to suburbs, s SDB.

Marsh Wren 1 song, weedy wetland adjacent to street, s SDB.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, s SDB.

European Starling 3 vocal, flhing, s SDB.

California Townee 1 calls, saltbush scrub, s SDB.

Belding's Savannah Sparrow 10 salt marsh along bikeway, SDB.

Song Sparrow 2 song, weedy wetland next to suburbs, s SDB.

White-crowned Sparrow 25 ubiquitous in brushy, weedy areas, SDB.

Western Meadowlark 1 song, weedy field, SDB.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 calls, SDB.

House Finch 20 ubiquitous around suburban gardens with trees; also in marsh, SDB.

House Sparrow 10 around homes and gardens, SDB.

April 3, 2013 Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad (55 Species)

Weather: Overcast to partly cloudy; 56F to 64F; wind W 0-2 mph.

Time: 0744-1203 hrs.

Observers: Merissa Mendez and I.

Area Covered: We began at the east-central parking area on the north side of the lagoon and walked eastward to the end of the trail, returning the same way and continuing to the visitor center (closed). Habitats surveyed included open water, tidal estuary, freshwater marsh, coastal sage, Eucalyptus woodland, weedy fields, golf course fairways, water landscaping and ornamental border trees and shrubs. A narrow shoreline (mud and sand) was seen at a great distance in the east and southern sections. Increasing numbers of visitors arrived during our survey, many with leashed dogs. Conditions were otherwise good for finding and identifying birds. 10x42 binoculars and a DSLR camera (Nikon D3X with a Nikkor 80-400mm VR AF lens).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Osprey (1) and Gull-billed Tern (2).

BIRDS NOTED

American Wigeon 45 (m,f) edges of the entire lagoon; some in open water.

Mallard 5 (m,f) edges of the west lagoon.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) edge of w lagoon.

Green-winged Teal 2 (m,f) shallows, w lagoon.

Ring-necked Duck 6 waterfall and pond of golf course.

Ruddy Duck 35 (m,f) open water of main lagoon.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 edge of w lagoon.

Western Grebe 3 open water of main lagoon.

Double-crested Cormorant 10 resting on shore of lagoon w of I-5.

Brown Pelican 35 resting with DCCO on shore of lagoon w of I-5.

Great Blue Heron 2 s edge of lagoon.

Great Egret 2 edge of lagoon; one breaking off sticks in Eucalyptus, n shore of lagoon.

Osprey 1 (imm) dipping in the central lagoon; flying low with a fish.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) circling on thermals, w.

American Coot 30-50 many partially concealed by marsh at edge of the main lagoon.

Killdeer 3 north shore of main lagoon.

Willet 20 on north shore of main lagoon.

Whimbrel 2 north shore of main lagoon.

Marbled Godwit 10 north shore of main lagoon.

Dowitcher sp. 20 north and northeast shore of main lagoon.

Western Sandpiper 10 north shore of main lagoon,

Least Sandpiper 8 north shore of main lagoon.

Caspian Tern 2 call, fly, nw lagoon.

Forster's Tern 25 (alt. plmg.) flying, diving in main lagoon.

Elegant Tern 40 calls; flying over main lagoon; resting on islet in nw lagoon.

Royal Tern 2 with ELTE on islet, nw lagoon.

Gull-billed Tern 2 (identified by a photo; no leg bands visible) resting together on islet with other terns, nw lagoon.

Mourning Dove 1 flying, e lagoon.

Anna's Hummingbird 15 vocal, ubiquitous; active in Eucalyptus and a variety of trees and shrubs.

Allen's Hummingbird 3 (m) vocal, active in chaparral hillside and edge of Eucalyptus woodland (photo).

Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) Batiquitos Lagoon, San Diego County, CA 3 April 2013

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 vocal, active in Eucalyptus woodland, north-central.

Black Phoebe 2 edge of marsh.

Cassin's Kingbird 4 vocal in Eucalyptus; one sallying to ground from fence, e.

American Crow 4 fly, call, n-central.

Cliff Swallow 60 nesting under ledge of I-5 overpass, w lagoon.

Bushtit 15 ubiquitous, vocal, active in flocks of 3 -5 in shrubs and trees.

Bewick's Wren 2 song, hillside chaparral next to n-central parking area.

House Wren 15 ubiquitous,vocal; active in understory of Eucalyptus woodland.

Marsh Wren 5 vocal, active in dense cattails, e, w.

Western Bluebird 2 near a nest box suspended from a Eucalyptus tree at the edge of the golf course.

Wrentit 3 song, chaparral hillsides, n-central; nw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, suburban garden, nw.

Orange-crowned Wabler 2 vocal, active in Eucalyptus and willows.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 ubiquitous, vocal; active at all levels.

Common Yellowthroat 10 ubiquitous, vocal in marsh and riparian edge.

Wilson's Warbler 2 song active in Eucalyptus and willows.

Spotted Towhee 4 vocal, active in hillside chaparral, nw.

California Towhee 2 vocal, active along trail, n-central.

Song Sparrow 30 ubiquitous, vocal; all kinds of vegetation.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 calls, edge of marsh-riparian, e-central.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 ubiquitous, vocal; Eucalyptus understory, weedy margins and chaparral.

Red-winged Blackbird 4 vocal, flying; in cattails, nw.

Brown-headed Cowbird 3 vocal; flying together, n-central.

House Finch 20 ubiquitous, vocal; active mostly in Eucalyptus and tall shrubs.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 vocal; trees bordering golf course.

April 2, 2013 Cabrillo National Monument (23 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy and clearing by 1000 hrs. 63F; wind W 5-10 mph. Surf 2-4 ft. Low tide @ 0800 hrs.

Time: 0854-1105 hrs.

Observers: Merissa Mendez and I.

Areas Covered: 1) Tidepools, cliffs and adjacent chaparral (TP). We climed down the sandstone cliffs and into the tidepool area. Scores of people were scrambling among the algae covered rocks and pools left by the receeding tide. Aside from two Snowy Egret keeping their distance from the crowds, no other birdlife was seen in the tidepools. After a few minutes of inspecting the tidepools, we returned to the parking area and continued north to the cliffs overlooking inaccessible shoreline. We included a visual and auditory survey of a well-developed hillside chaparral adjacent to the roadway 0900- 0945 hrs.).

Conservation Note: Aside from limpets and barnacles attached to rocks, very little animal life could be found in the tidepools at low tide this morning. Evidently, the impacts of thousands of park visitors monthly have been severe. We recommend closure of the tidepools for at least three years to allow recovery. Thereafter, the number of visitors to the tidepools must be limited to insure the reproduction and survival of the tidepool community. Failure to implement an effective tidepool conservation program will likely result in long term if not irreparable damage to this fragile community.

2) Visitor Center (VC): We walked the paths through hillside chaparral around the visitor center. Increasing numbers of people began arriving, rendering observations of birds difficult (0950-1050 hrs.)

BIRDS NOTED

Western Grebe 4 resting offshore, TP.

Brandt's Cormorant 120 several large flocks flying low over the surf zone, TP.

Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego County, CA 2 April 2013

Brown Pelican 10 flying offshore TP..

Snowy Egret 5 two on outskirts of tidepools; others along rocky shoreline to north, TP.

California Gull 1 (ad) flying over the shoreline, TP.

Western Gull 2 flying offshore, TP; 10 in channel leading to harbor, seen from VC.

Elegant Tern 1 flying offshore, TP.

Caspian Tern 1 fly, call, over shoreline, TP.

Rock Pigeon 1 flying around cliffs, TP.

Mourning Dove 1 flying, VC.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 calls, VC.

American Crow 2 fly, call Catalina Blvd.

Bushtit 4 vocal, active in chaparral, VC.

Bewick's Wren 1 song, chaparral, VC.

Wrentit 10 singing in hillside chaparral, VC.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 vocal in pines, VC.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 1 vocal, active in pines, VC.

Spotted Towhee 4 vocal, active in chaparral, VC.

California Towhee 3 vocal, active at edge of chaparral, TP; VC.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal, active at edge of chaparral, TP; VC.

White-crowned Sparrow 4 calls, active in shrubs and on ground, VC.

Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 (imm) foraging beneath shrubs and pines, VC (photo).

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego County, CA 2 April 2013

House Finch 4 vocal, active in chaparral and edge, VC.

April 1, 2013 San Elijo Lagoon (64 Species)

Weather: Overcast; 57F; wind W 2 - 7mph; low tide @ 0745 hrs.

Time: 0748 - 1118 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) East San Elijo Lagoon (ESEL): I walked from the Mira Costa college parking lot west to the gated entrance (pedestrians and leashed dogs only) and south across a concrete spillway to the edge of a hillside residential area on Sant Inez St. Habitat surveyed included ecalyptus-parkland (MCC), freshwater and brackish marsh, riparian, coastal sage and weedy borders. This eastern portion of the San Elijo Lagoon County Reserve had by far the greatest diversity and abundance of birds, when compared with the western section. Aside from a few joggers, the area was undisturbed by human activities. However, the din of traffic on the adjacent Interstate 5 made detection of bird vocalizations difficult in the southwestern section (0748-0930 hrs.) 2) West San Elijo Lagoon (WSEL): I walked on the pathways through the area, beginning and ending at the visitor center parking lot. Habitats surveyed included coastal sage, mixed conifer-riparian woodland, freshwater and brackish marsh, tidal sloughs, salt marsh and adjacent suburban gardens with ornamental trees and shrubs. Many more visitors were present in this section of the reserve during my survey, including several with leashed dogs.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (1), White-faced Ibis (1), and American White Pelican (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 25 (m,f) swimming in marsh shallows, ESEL.

American Wigeon 6 (m,f) swimming near edge of marsh, ESEL; 4 on muddy shore of slough, WEL.

Mallard 10 (m,f) in marsh and shallows, ESEL.

Northern Shoveler 120 crowded in open water shallows, ESEL.

Cinnamon Teal 4 (m,f) swimming in shallows, ESEL.

Blue-winged Teal 1 (m) swimming in narrow, concealed riparian channel, WSEL (photo).

Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) West San Elijo Lagoon, San Diego County, CA 1 April 2013

Green-winged Teal 8 (m,f) swimming in shallows, ESEL.

Bufflehead 2 (m,f) diving in tidal channel, WSEL.

Red-breasted Merganser 1 (f) diving in tidal channel, WSEL.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 in deep section of marsh, ESEL.

Western Grebe 1 resting in tidal channel, WSEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 3 on utility line, WSEL.

American White Pelican 2 resting on mudflats of marsh, ESEL.

Great Blue Heron 1 in marsh, ESEL.

Great Egret 1 (alt. plmg.) in marsh, foraging near WFIB, ESEL (photo).

Great Egret (Ardea alba) East San Elijo Lagoon, San Diego County, CA 1 April 2013

Snowy Egret 2 foraging in marsh and edge of water, ESEL.

White-faced Ibis 1 foraging in marsh n ear GREG, ESEL (photo).

White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) East San Elijo Lagoon, San Diego County, CA 1 April 2013

Sora 1 calls (unseen) dense marsh near spillway, ESEL.

American Coot 80 scattered around the edges of the marsh and open water, ESEL.

Killdeer 6 call, fly, ESEL.

Black-necked Stilt 35 in shallows around the marsh, ESEL.

American Avocet 8 (alt. plmg.) foraging together in shallows at the edge of the marsh, ESEL.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging on muddy shore of tidal channel, WSEL.

Western Sandpiper 6 foraging on mudflats at the edge of the marsh, ESEL.

Willet 1 on muddy shore of tidal channel, WSEL.

Least Sandpiper 10 foraging near WESA on mudflats at the edge of the marsh, ESEL.

Short-billed Dowitcher 85 (trans. alt. plmg.) flight calls; foraging in tight flocks at the edges of the marsh, ESEL (photo)

Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) East San Elijo Lagoon, San Diego County, CA 1 April 2013.

Western Gull 1 (ad) resting on muddy shore of tidal channel, WSEL.

Caspian Tern 9 resting on mud shore of marsh, ESEL.

Elegant Tern 1 fly, call, WSEL.

Mourning Dove 1 flying over riparian area, WSEL.

Rock Pigeon 6 flying over adjacent fields, n ESEL.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 calls, ESEL; 2 calls, WSEL.

Nuttall's Woodpecker calls (unseen) riparian woodland, WSEL.

Black Phoebe 1 ESE.

Cassin's Kingbird 1 calls, edge of riparian, ESEL.

American Crow 6 ubiquitous, vocal, flying over marsh and riparian.

Common Raven 2 flying over the marsh, ESEL.

Tree Swallow 2 flying low over the marsh, ESEL.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 20 flying low over the marsh and ponds, ESEL.

Bushtit 6 vocal, ubiquitous in coastal sage and adjacent riparian.

Bewick's Wren 2 song, coastal sage sw ESEL.

House Wren 8 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and brushy areas.

Marsh Wren 6 vocal, dense marsh, ESEL.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 calls, riparian, WSEL.

Wrentit 2 song, coastal sage chaparral slopes, sw ESEL.

California Thrasher 1 vocal, riparian-coastal sage, ESEL.

European Starling 2 fly, call, MCC parking area with eucalyptus.

American Pipit 1 flushed from edge of spillway; calls, ESEL.

Orange-crowned Warbler 5 vocal, active in willow riparian woods, WSEL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 2 calls, willow riparian, WSEL.

Common Yellowthroat 5 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Wilson's Warbler 1 song, willow riparian, WSEL.

Spotted Towhee 2 vocal, coastal sage-riparian, sw ESEL.

California Towhee 10 vocal, ubiquitous in coastal sage, riparian and edge.

Savannah Sparrow 10 (at least one Belding's) vocal, active but secretinve in marsh, ESEL, WSEL.

Song Sparrow 25 vocal, ubiquitous in all habitats.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 riparian and edge of marsh; coastal sage, ESEL, WSEL.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 vocal, flying; most in tall cattails at west end of marsh, ESEL.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 (f) calls from utility pole, WSEL.

Hooded Oriole 1 (f) calls, fly from a tall palm in adjacent suburb, WSEL.

House Finch 20 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and coastal sage.

American Goldfinch 2 vocal, riparian patch in coastal sage scrub, sw ESEL.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 vocal, ubiquitous in areas with trees.

March 31, 2013 Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and Borderfield State Park (70 Species)

Borderfield State Park, at the southwestern corner of the continental U.S.A., San Diego County, CA 31 March 2013

Weather: AM Overcast, clearing by 1200 hrs.; 58F to 74F; wind WSW 2-7 mph. Low tide @ 0730 hrs.; surf 1-3 ft.

Time: 0740 - 1505 hrs.

Observers: Merissa Mendez and I.

Areas Covered: 1) Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRE): I birded the coastal sage-riparian area around the visitor center (0740-0820). We returned to the same area and included a walk on the McCoy Trail, covering the sloughs and salt marsh at high tide (1348-1505 hrs.). Except for people with dogs (two unleashed) there was little disturbance during our visits. 2) Butterfly Garden Reserve, 2310 Hollister Road (BR): We walked on sandy pathways through dense riparian and coastal sage habitat. The area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during our survey (0834-0940 hrs.). 3) Borderfield State Park (BSP): We cycled from the main gate to the southwest corner of the park and back. Part of the roadway was innundated (the last 100 yards requiring a detour through the marsh). We surveyed the marsh, patches of willow riparian along the roadway, shoreline and nearshore waters. Except for a religious group establishing relations with Mexicans at the border fence, there was little human activity in the park during our visit; conditions were good for finding and identifying birds (0949-1215 hrs.).Tijuana River Valley on Dairy Mart Rd. (DMR). I walked across the bridge, surveying riparian habitat on the west side (1230-1300 hrs.). 10x42 binoculars and a DSLR camera were used for the surveys.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Sharp-shinned hawk (1), Clapper Rail (2), Surfbird (2), Gull-billed Tern (4), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1) and Black-throated Magpie Jay (3; 1 carrying nest material).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 4 (m,f) at edge of sloughs, TE; 2 flying, BSP.

Northern Shoveler 2 (m,f) flying, TE.

Surf Scoter 65 (m,f) diving in surf zone close to shore, BSP.

Bufflehead 1 (f) in slough at high tide (PM) TE.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 diving in slough (PM) TE.

Brandt's Cormorant 1 flying low over surf, BSP.

Brown Pelican 10 flying low offshore, BSP.

Great Blue Heron 1 flying over marsh, (PM), TRE.

Great Egret 2 foraging in marsh at edge of slough, (PM), TRE.

Snowy Egret 1 edge of slough, TRE.

Northern Harrier 2 (m,f) flying low over marsh, BSP.

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 flushed from low perch in sycamore, BR.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 calls, BR; 1 in large tree, calls, DMR.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 soaring above river flood plain, DMR.

American Coot 2 in slough, PM BSP.

Clapper Rail 2 calling in marsh about 20 yards apart alongside a slough, AM, TE.

Black-bellied Plover 4 (bsc., alt. plmg.) together on shore, BSP.

Killdeer 1 flooded roadside, BSP.

Willet 1 TE; 75 on shore, BSP.

Whimbrel 3 on shore together, BSP; 1 in salt marsh, TE (PM).

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) Tijuana River Estuary NWR San Diego County, CA 31 March 2013

Long-billed Curlew 1 at edge of marsh, PM TE (photo).

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) Tijuana River Estuary NWR San Diego County, CA 31 March 2013

Marbled Godwit 2 on shore, flying BSP (photo).

Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) Borderfield State Park, San Diego County, CA 31 March, 2013

Dunlin 5 (trans. alt. plmg.) foraging together on shore, BSP (photo).

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Borderfield State Park, San Diego County, CA 31 March 2013

Surfbird 3 foraging together on shore, BSP (photo).

Surfbird (Aphriza virgata) Borderfield State Park, San Diego County, CA 31 March 2013

Heermann's Gull 25 (immature) on shore with other gulls, BSP.

Ring-billed Gull 20 (ad. imm) on shore with other gulls, BSP.

California Gull 12 (ad, imm) on shore with other gulls , BSP.

Western Gull 30 (ad, imm) on shore with other gulls, BSP.

Caspian Tern 1 flying over marsh, calls, TE.

Royal Tern 65 several birds engaged in courtship behavior , BSP (photo).

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) Borderfield State Park, San Diego County, CA 31 March 2013

Gull-billed Tern 4 two pair, all with USFWS leg bands. A pair with left leg bands staying together (A); another pair with right leg (B) and left/right legs banded (C); on shore, BSP (photos A, B & C below showing all four banded individuals).

A) Gull-billed Terns (left leg banded) BSP SDCO CA B) Gull-billed Tern (right leg banded) BSP SDCO CA 31 March 2013

C) Gull-billed Tern (Geochelidon nilotica) left and right leg banded. Borderfield State Park, San Diego County, CA 31 March 2013

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls; on utility wires, TE; Hollister Rd.

Mourning Dove 1 flying, BR.

Rock Pigeon 5 Hollister Rd.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 riparian and coastal sage, TE; 2 BR; 2 BSP.

Costa's Hummingbird ? 1 flew into coastal sage; not seen clearly, BSP.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 call, fly; riparian area, BR.

White-throated Swift calls, flying near cliffs at border, BSP.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 calls; in shady riparian woodland, BR (photo).

Pacific Slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) Butterfly Reserve Hollister Rd. SDCO CA 31 March 2013

Black Phoebe 3 call, fly, BSP.

Cassin's Kingbird 2 diving on Black-throated Magpie Jay perched on top of a tamarisk, BR.

Bell's Vireo 2 (unseen) singing about 50 yards apart in riparian patches near park entrance, BSP.

American Crow 10 ubiquitous, calls, flying, TE; BSP.

Common Raven 4 fly, call BSP.

Black-throated Magpie Jay 3 high-pitched contact calls between pair, one bird returning to sycamore to break off twigs. Twice seen flying with 10-12 inch twigs (photo); secretive in and around nest site (unseen) amongst tall tamarisk near the west parking area of the BR.

Black-throated Magpie Jay (Calocitta colliei) Butterfy Reserve, Hollister Road, Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, CA 31 March 2013

Black-throated Magpie Jay (Calocitta colliei) Butterfly Reserve, Hollister Rd. San Diego County, CA 31 march 2013

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over open field, BR; 2 flying around and landing on bridge, DMR.

Cliff Swallow 8 gathering mud from a roadside puddle, BSR.

Barn Swallow 2 flying over marsh TE; 2 flying low over open area adjacent to riparian, BR.

Tree Swallow 1 flying low over the marsh, TE.

Bushtit 20 ubiquitous in riparian and areas with tall shrubs.

House Wren 10 song, calls; ubiquitous in riparian and coastal sage scrub.

Marsh Wren 1 song, cattails at edge of slough, TE.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 responded to pshing call in dense riparian strip near visitor center, BR.

Wrentit 1 (unseen) song, BR.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, TE.

European Starling 3 on utility lines, Hollister Rd.

Orange-crowned Warbler 20 ubiquitous, vocal in riparian areas and tall shrubs.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 ubiquitous in woodland and brushy areas.

Common Yellowthroat 10 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and brushy areas near water.

Wilson's Warbler 2 song, dense riparian areas, BR. 1 song, riparian TE.

California Towhee 15 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and sage scrub.

Savannah Sparrow 4 vocal, marsh adjacent to sloughs, TE; 5 calls, marsh BSP.

Song Sparrow 35 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian,marsh, grassland and weedy borders.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 calls, edge of dense riparian, BR.

White-crowned Sparrow 15 vocal, ubiquitoous, weedy edge, riparian and marsh.

Western Meadowlark 2 song, BSP.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (m) in coastal sage-riparian, TE.

House Finch 12 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and coastal sage.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

House Sparrow calls adjacent suburbs, TE.