BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

                                              © Callyn Yorke

                                      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

                                                                             © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

                 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

                                                                                                                                                                                    © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                              © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                  

                                                                                                                 © 2013 Callyn Yorke

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

                                                                                                                                   © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                                            © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                                         © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                                © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

 

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

                                                                                                                                   © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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.

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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

                                                                                                                                                                            © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                                                       © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                     © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

        

                                                                                                     © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

 

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.

                                                                                                                                                 © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                                                                            © 2013   Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                           © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

 

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

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

                                                                                                                                                            © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

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

                                                                                                                            ©   2013 Callyn Yorke                                                                                                              

 

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

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

                                                                                                 © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

 

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

                                                                                                                                         © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

           

                                                                         © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                         © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                 

                                                                  © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

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

                                                                                                                                                                                               © 2013 Callyn Yorke

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

                        

                                                                                                                                                    © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

 

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.