Date: 2/26/26 12:06 pm From: Chris McCreedy via groups.io <cmccreedy...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Black-and-white Warbler at San Elijo
I just found a Black-and-White Warbler on the nature center trail, behind the Water Means Life sign, where the American Bittern was seen. It appeared to be a male, and it was working the willows just above the brackish water. Maddeningly, fighting Mallards spooked it deeper into the swampy interior before I could photograph it. Our SD Bird Festival group did not come over here today, but perhaps we can stop here tomorrow.
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Date: 2/25/26 6:49 pm From: Hal Cohen via groups.io <raptorhal3...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Swainson's Hawks in Borrego Springs
This evening (Wednesday February 25) at least 25 Swainson's Hawks arrived in Borrego Springs at 5:55pm. They settled into the Date Farm (Eucalyptus Trees) off Borrego Valley Rd. (1.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive) Tomorrow, the hawks may take off between 7 and 8am with moderate wind. If the wind dies down before sunup they might leave after 8 a.m. The hawks might seek food in the flower fields (White-lined Sphinx Moth caterpillars) or flying ants. Some grasshoppers have been sighted but not many. Hal Cohen Borrego Springs
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Date: 2/25/26 7:23 am From: Justyn Stahl via groups.io <justyn.stahl...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Open space for salt works tour Monday
If you’ve never been to the salt works portion of the San Diego Bay
National Wildlife Refuge, there are a few newly opened spots on Monday’s
bird festival walk. And I stress *never*, as ideally we’d like to enable
new people to get this experience vs those who’ve done it before.
https://sdbf.bobolinkapp.org/dayplanner/6
Justyn Stahl
North Park
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Date: 2/23/26 1:39 pm From: Susan Smith via groups.io <seiurus...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Interesting short read regarding birders
Thanks SO much Mel..! I knew that birding was fun and felt wonderful and challenging, but never knew it was good for my mental health! ( and at my age I need all I can get!!) ....SueSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: "Mel Senac via groups.io" <melsenac...> Date: 2/23/26 11:18 AM (GMT-08:00) To: sandiegoregionbirding <sandiegoregionbirding...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Interesting short read regarding birders
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Date: 2/23/26 12:03 pm From: ross christie via groups.io <caracara99...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] N Parula in Kate Sessions
in the tipus , north end of park by the children's playground. among a dozen or more yellow-rumps.
Ross Christie
Pacific Beach
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
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Date: 2/23/26 11:09 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Miscellaneous continuing birds, Monday
Early Monday morning, the Tricolored Heron was present in the marsh next to Emory Cove but then flew north toward Coronado Cays. The Black and white Warbler continued in the Bird and Butterfly Garden, where also a Golden crowned Sparrow, and the White-throated Sparrow continued in the northwest section of the Community Gardens. After being MIA for an hour, the Bay breasted Warbler appeared in its beloved northeast corner of Berry Park, where there is now a pair of Vermilion Flycatchers. The silly White-winged Scoter continues two miles up the Sweetwater River channel just down river from the 2nd Avenue bridge, hanging out with a couple Surf Scoters.
Paul Lehman, San Diego
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Date: 2/22/26 8:33 pm From: Ruslan Balagansky via groups.io <ruslan...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Hotspots for eBird Bar Charts Feb 22 - 28
For anyone considering Azalea Glen, I just went there today, but found the
trail almost impassable. A downed euc is blocking the trail right after the
trailhead, in addition to the trail being covered in melting snow. So it
may be better to wait until the end of the week before attempting this one.
Perhaps the tree will be cleared back then, or at least it probably won't
be surrounded by slushy/icy snow by then, making it easier to climb
over/under it. Note that this obstacle isn't mentioned on the park website
so don't interpret the absence of a closure notice to mean it's been
cleared.
Instead, I hiked to Cuyamaca Peak on Lookout Rd, not realizing that that is
a different hotspot (not much reception up there to check). It was also
covered in snow, but doable with care taken to not lose your footing. I was
rewarded with many actually visible Fox Sparrows!
On Sat, Feb 21, 2026 at 11:13 PM Ruslan Balagansky via groups.io <ruslan=
<balagansky.com...> wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> We're finishing off this past week with at least one rarity (Neotropic
> Cormorant at Otay today).
>
> Next week we have a longer list, including two hotspots that only this
> coming week for 100% bar charts (indicated in bold red text).
>
> Map for next week:
> https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=10HYkQgKvU72uJ7xwD9Deg95hkFNkpe8&usp=sharing >
> Hotspots nearing bar chart completion:
>
> *Barnett Ranch Preserve - 1*
> Cuyamaca Rancho SP--Azalea Glen Trail
> Encinitas Viewpoint Park
> Hilleary Park
> Lopez Ridge Park
> NAS North Island--O St. path, golf course, ponds (restricted access)
> San Vicente Reservoir
> Sunset Drive Area--eucs & riparian
> *Torrey Hills Mesa - 1*
>
> Hotspots with 3+ week bar chart gaps:
>
> Laguna Mtns.--Thing Valley/Desert View Rds.
> Laguna Mtns.--Burnt Rancheria Campground
> Roadrunner Park
> Scripps Ranch Community Park
> Cuyamaca Rancho SP--Cold Stream Trail
> Self-Realization Fellowship (Encinitas)
> Carmel Knolls Park
> Calzada Del Bosque / Chino Farms area
> Spooners Mesa
> Palomar Mtn.--East Grade Road
> Camp Pendleton--Santa Margarita River mouth (restricted access)
> Berry Street Park
> Barona Resort & Casino
> Bonsall--Old River Rd.
> Emerald Hills Park
> Otay River Valley--east of 125
> Laguna Mtns.--Garnet Peak
> Cristianitos Regional Trail
> Glen Abbey Cemetery
> Eucalyptus County Park
> Laguna Mtns.--Sheephead Mtn. Rd. pullout
>
> Cheers,
>
> --
> Ruslan Balagansky
> San Diego (Mira Mesa), CA
>
>
>
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Date: 2/22/26 8:58 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Bay-breasted Warbler #3!, Nashville Warbler #31, Cape May
Birding on Otay Mesa on Sunday morning when all the truck traffic is at a minimum. Found a new Bay-breasted Warbler in a few tipus and pines at the edge of one of the many truck warehousing parking lots. Beautiful aesthetics!
32.558410,-116.928404Another dull bird like the other two in town this winter.This site is several blocks east of the Cape May Warbler spot, which continues extremely cooperative today and is getting brighter plumaged by the day, just like the Solana Beach bird. Also found a new Nashville Warbler much closer to Brown Field in a different warehousing site, which makes 31 Nashvilles for the winter season since early December, which sets a new county winter record. Also two BT Grays. Yellow-headed Blackbird continues at the Siempre Viva pond right after dawn, but only a couple snipe were visible, as the water levels went up with the recent rains.
Paul Lehman, San Diego
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*Barnett Ranch Preserve - 1* Cuyamaca Rancho SP--Azalea Glen Trail Encinitas Viewpoint Park Hilleary Park Lopez Ridge Park NAS North Island--O St. path, golf course, ponds (restricted access) San Vicente Reservoir Sunset Drive Area--eucs & riparian *Torrey Hills Mesa - 1*
Hotspots with 3+ week bar chart gaps:
Laguna Mtns.--Thing Valley/Desert View Rds. Laguna Mtns.--Burnt Rancheria Campground Roadrunner Park Scripps Ranch Community Park Cuyamaca Rancho SP--Cold Stream Trail Self-Realization Fellowship (Encinitas) Carmel Knolls Park Calzada Del Bosque / Chino Farms area Spooners Mesa Palomar Mtn.--East Grade Road Camp Pendleton--Santa Margarita River mouth (restricted access) Berry Street Park Barona Resort & Casino Bonsall--Old River Rd. Emerald Hills Park Otay River Valley--east of 125 Laguna Mtns.--Garnet Peak Cristianitos Regional Trail Glen Abbey Cemetery Eucalyptus County Park Laguna Mtns.--Sheephead Mtn. Rd. pullout
Cheers,
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Date: 2/20/26 6:24 pm From: Justyn Stahl via groups.io <justyn.stahl...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Log-in issue related to eBird mobile and the California Bird Atlas
If you're having issues selecting a location and/or a log-in issue related to the CBA while using eBird app, the workaround is:
From the app switch to the normal eBird portal (de-select the CBA project), you'll be prompted for the log-in, do so, then submit the list if needed. You'll then be able to use the eBird app with the CBA project selected again. From ebird.org you should be able to switch the list you submitted back to the CBA project/portal.
A beta version of an update is being tested currently.
Justyn Stahl North Park
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Date: 2/18/26 1:15 pm From: Justyn Stahl via groups.io <justyn.stahl...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Nat Talk: Phil Unitt's Journey Through the Collection
A great talk tomorrow at the San Diego Natural History Museum!
---
Thursday, February 19, 2026 7 PM
After four decades of building and caring for The Nat’s world-class bird
and mammal collection, beloved Curator *Phil Unitt is retiring*. Before he
does, he’ll take us through a journey of discovery, showing how preserved
specimens help us understand environmental change and guide conservation.
This is your chance to hear directly from the person who has shaped our
understanding of Southern California’s wildlife.
Phil Unitt has spent his career asking a simple question: What can the past
teach us about the future? Now, after 37 years of work, he’s inviting us
into the world he’s dedicated his life to—The Nat's extraordinary
collection of more than 53,000 bird specimens and over 26,000 mammal
specimens. But as much as those specimens tell us about our environment, it
is the people who built the collection who inspire us to keep their legacy
vibrant.
Since the 1800s, determined collectors braved harsh conditions to document
the region's wildlife. Their work created something remarkable: one of the
most significant natural history collections in the western United States.
In this talk, Phil brings those early nature enthusiasts to life and shows
us how specimens continue to drive current research. Specimens are time
capsules that reveal how our environment has changed and help us protect
what remains.
You'll leave with a new appreciation for what natural history collections
can do, why they need our support, and what Phil's decades of work have
meant for science and conservation in our region. Come celebrate a
legendary curator and discover why collections matter.
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Date: 2/17/26 11:17 am From: Justyn Stahl via groups.io <justyn.stahl...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Tonight's SDFO talk: iNaturalist, Birding Resources for Locals, and the California Bird Atlas
Tonight's San Diego Field Ornithologists meeting will be a round table/town hall approach with Q&A on local birding resources before discussing the *California Bird Atlas <https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home>*. I'll provide a brief overview of the atlas, with some best practices advice, and then open it up for questions. Given the audience for atlas recruitment/participation is statewide, coupled with concern over publicly posting the Zoom meeting info, I've been asked to post here and ask that anyone interested in attending the meeting tonight *email me directly* for the meeting link. Please do so before 5pm, as the meeting starts at 6pm, with log-in by 550pm encouraged.
SDFO members should have already received the meeting invite and don't need to contact me.
For those attending, please review the California Bird Atlas FAQs <https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/about/faqs> beforehand to allow us to focus our limited meeting time on additional questions that folks have.
Thanks, Justyn Stahl North Park
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Date: 2/16/26 5:55 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Mission Bay W-w Scoter now two birds; some miscellanea
As almost everyone knows, a female-type White-winged Scoter has been present all winter in the Vacation Isle area on Mission Bay. Still appears to be a female at this point, with an entirely dark bill and overall brownish plumage. The bird at the Imperial Beach Pier starting in December, but which disappeared in late January, was first thought perhaps to be a female, but then it started to develop pink on the bill and blackish feathering started to appear randomly, so it appears to have actually been a young male. Fast forward to Feb 13, and Ross Christie photo'd a W-w Scoter back on Mission Bay, but closer to the Quivira Basin area, which also appears to be a young male, with pinkish near the bill base and a more blackish head and a bit of blackish feathering appearing on the upperparts. And then yesterday, Feb 15, an observer reported a single W-w Scoter in the usual area at Vacation Isle (Paradise Point), but their photos show BOTH birds, separately, the continuing dark-billed female and the newer young-male type with the pinkish on the bill and the blotchy blackish (e.g., the head) growing in. So, from this point on, please be specific which bird is being reported! A good lesson in how sometimes things can fly under the radar if we just "assume".....
Yesterday in Coronado, the very pretty male Townsend's X Hermit Warbler hybrid continued in Spreckels Park, where back for its fourth winter, and where also a Black-and-white Warbler. A female Orchard Oriole bordering NASNI may be a returning bird for multiple years but which hadn't been seen previously this winter. The wintering Magnolia Warbler continued around the mini-golf at Paradise Point on the 14th.
--Paul Lehman, San Diego
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Date: 2/15/26 8:55 am From: Jenna A via groups.io <jasperslag...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] American Bittern still @ San Elijo
Bittern popped out at 8:30ish, seemed to fly in from further north in the pond then was seen through dense foliage for a while here: (33.0124458, -117.2714782) while moving east.
Jenna A La Costa
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Hilleary Park Horse Ranch Creek Open Space Otay Lakes County Park SDSU Mission Valley River Park San Felipe Valley Wildlife Area--north
Hotspots with 3+ week bar chart gaps:
Pine Valley Creek (SD Co.) Hollywood Park Anza-Borrego Desert SP--Old Vallecito Ranch Sunrise Hwy--mile 14.5 pullout Wynola Road Collier Park (La Mesa) Cuyamaca Rancho SP--Cold Stream Trail Harmony Grove Village Community Park La Costa Glen Trail--La Costa Ave. to Levante St., Carlsbad Encinas Creek--Hidden Valley Rd. W 16th St at Cleveland Ave La Mesita Park and Sports Complex Spooners Mesa Pacific Crest Trail--east of Kitchen Creek Rd. Palomar Mtn.--East Grade Road Sweetwater Community Gardens Camp Pendleton--Santa Margarita River mouth (restricted access) Berry Street Park Barona Resort & Casino Bonsall--Old River Rd. Emerald Hills Park Holy Cross Cemetery Cactus County Park Old Highway 80--west of Wildwood Glen Laguna Mtns.--Garnet Peak
Cheers,
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Currently on the mudflats at J street in Chula Vista. Quite a way distant, scope needed.
Friday 3:00
Nancy Christensen
Ramona
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
Chinese Proverb
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Date: 2/13/26 1:33 pm From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] various continuing rarities, and keeping late-season track of such
Various continuing winter rarities today, the 13th, include the Cape May Warbler in its favorite several tipus on Otay Mesa (see today's eBird list for pin-drop), along with Nashville Warbler and a new female-type Summer Tanager at the adjoining Holiday Inn Express parking lot. The Bay-breasted Warbler continues in private housing in Serra Mesa. The casual-in-winter Swainson's Thrush continues at Encinitas Community Park (v.obs), the Red-throated Pipit continues in Clairemont (m.obs), and the Blue-headed Vireo continues at Eternal Hills Cemetery in Oceanside but had moved to the nw. section (P. Langen). Also reports the previous couple days of the Solana Beach Cape May Warbler, still prefering the exact same tree as on Day 1, the Carmel Valley Northern Parula, the Wing Street Canyon and Tierrasanata Hepatic Tanagers, the Grace's Warbler in Encinitas, both Black-thr Green Warblers at the Chula Vista Costco and at Lindo Lake, Painted Redstarts in both residential Point Loma and Talmadge, Orchard Oriole in Nestor, Baltimore Oriole at Harry Griffen Park, White-winged Scoter in Mission Bay, Solitary Sandpipers at both Whelan Lake and Del Mar,......etc. etc.
It would be valuable and interesting to keep reasonable track of these birds as the winter wanes and early spring arrives and see how long they actually stay. Typically, most folks lose interest in these winter stakeouts after January or early February. Thus, often the "final" dates are artificially early. Some birds start to disappear starting about now, but many should remain well into March, and some will even stay into April. Most future eBird reports will likely contain only the details "continuing" (and hopefully with photos), but please be aware that if an appreciable gap in dates exists from previous reports, then eBird reviewers will likely require a bit more details than just saying "continuing." This becomes especially true after about mid-March. Certainly if there has been a gap of 5-7 days or more since the last previous documented report, please add some bit of actual documentation to your report.
Paul Lehman, San Diego
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Date: 2/13/26 11:15 am From: David Trissel via groups.io <dtrissel...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] How do you find the SOSA at San Dieguito Sports Field and Riparian?
Date: 2/13/26 10:18 am From: C via groups.io <c2179168...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] How do you find the SOSA at San Dieguito Sports Field and Riparian?
Hi everyone,
I tried going to the San Dieguito Sports Field and Riparian for the Solitary Sandpiper but the gate to the sports field was locked. I didn't want to be looking for it at the edge of a busy road, so I am trying to figure out how other birders have seen the sandpiper. I was at the entrance across from the Del Mar Horsepark on El Camino Real. Is there another entrance into the sports field I am unaware of? Or did everyone just stand in the grass at the edge of Via De La Valle looking in?
Elizabeth Harth
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Date: 2/13/26 9:35 am From: Nick Thorpe via groups.io <nick.thorpe49...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] RTPI at South Clairemont Pk.
For anyone who wants to see the Red-throated Pipit at not a school, it’s finally at South Clairemont Park with four American Pipits at 9:35 here:
(32.8064228, -117.1990672)
--
Nick Thorpe
University Heights
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Date: 2/12/26 2:46 pm From: dan jehl via groups.io <jehlyfish...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] J St Lesser Black-backed Gull Feb 12, 2026
At 2:40 today there is a nice looking adult Lesser Black-backed Gull on the J St mudflat fairly close to the parking lot, no scope currently needed.
Dan Jehl
San Diego
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Apologies for the late report… this morning I visited Stonewall Mine. There were at least 3 Golden-crowned kinglets in a mixed flock with ruby-crowned kinglets and chickadees. I am embarrassed to say I actually photographed a kinglet thinking it was a ruby-crowned because it had a flaming crest on display. Fortunately I checked my pics and realized it was really a golden-crowned and was able to refind the group of birds again.
The kinglet flock was near the green cabin. Charles reported one in the area yesterday.
There was also at least one red-breasted nuthatch. I saw it 3 times total in different areas, so maybe more than one bird? Silent, no vocalizations.
Twice I thought I saw the female Williamson’s sapsucker in flight, but was unable to get a look once she landed. Similar to 3 weeks ago when I last saw her, she landed in a pine tree inside the chain link enclosure with old equipment in it. The second time she landed in a pine near the green cabin. These are not being flagged rare this year.
The gate to the mine is supposed to open at 8am. Today it was closer to 9am, after I went to Paso Picacho and finally found someone to ask about it. He came right over to unlock.
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Date: 2/10/26 12:17 pm From: Mike Wittmer via groups.io <bumper1369...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] White-throated Sparrow Bird & Butterfly Garden
The White-throoated Sparrow is currently at drip1 at the Bird $ Butterfly Garden. It’s been very cooperative. It had been near drip 6. A Gold-crowned Sparrow is hanging out with it
Mike Wittmer
Escondido
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Date: 2/10/26 5:33 am From: Dan King via groups.io <danryanking...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Coronado Public Library Programming in March
Hello,
I'm a librarian at CPL, and I wanted to plug some bird-related events and programs that I think would be of interest to many of you.
Coronado's Community Read is The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne, by Chris Sweeney. A 2025 biography about Roxie Laybourne, the pioneering forensic ornithologist who used feather analysis to solve crimes and improve aviation safety. The book details her groundbreaking work at the Smithsonian, her role in high-profile cases, and her life as a determined, unconventional woman who broke barriers in science. It's praised for being a thrilling narrative that reads like a novel, blending science, history, and personal story.
3/5 @7pm in the Winn Room- Coronado Public Library welcomes author Chris Sweeney for a special evening celebrating the 2026 Community READ selection
3/12 @6pm in the Winn Room- How do scientists identify a species from a single feather fragment? Phil Unitt from the San Diego Natural History Museum will share the history and modern applications of the museum's bird collection.
3/26 @6:30 in the Winn Room- Birding 101: Join San Diego Bird Alliance for a fun and easy introduction to the world of birds.
There are also bird themed craft opportunities:
-Yarn Bird crafty hour (3/10 @6:30pm, Winn Room)
-Feathers & Form art workshop (3/24 @6pm, Winn Room)
And our film forum is, of course, Hitchcock's The Birds (3/25 @6pm, Winn Room).
We'd love to see you at an event if you are available!
Good birding,
Dan R. King
Hillcrest
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Date: 2/7/26 7:59 pm From: Ruslan Balagansky via groups.io <ruslan...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Hotspots for eBird Bar Charts Feb 8 - 14
Hi all,
We've completed another bar chart week with 100% attendance at the "classic" list hotspots nearing completion, plus a good number of "gap" hotspots. Thanks to all who helped out!
Next week there are two hotspots that only need the one week to reach 100% completion (highlighted in bold red print).
Agua Hedionda Creek Cuyamaca Rancho SP--Cuyamaca Peak & Lookout Rd. Cuyamaca Rancho SP--Green Valley Campground Henshaw Scenic Vista Horse Ranch Creek Open Space
*Laguna Mtns.--Laguna Campground - 1Laguna Mtns.--Upper Kitchen Creek Rd. - 1* Manzanita Canyon NAS North Island--O St. path, golf course, ponds (restricted access) SDSU Mission Valley River Park San Felipe Valley Wildlife Area--north Sweetwater County Park--Quarry Trail
Hotspots with 3+ week bar chart gaps:
Cameron Truck Trail--behind Border Patrol Station Laguna Mtns.--Burnt Rancheria Campground Palomar Mtn.--Boucher Hill Loop Lower Rainbow Creek Hollywood Park Sandia Creek Drive Sunrise Hwy--mile 14.5 pullout Scripps Ranch Community Park UC San Diego--Coast Apartments vicinity Camp Pendleton--southern region Oasis Spring Lusardi Creek Loop Trail W 16th St at Cleveland Ave Calzada Del Bosque / Chino Farms area Spooners Mesa Palomar Mtn.--East Grade Road Sweetwater Community Gardens Camp Pendleton--Santa Margarita River mouth (restricted access)
Cheers,
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Date: 2/7/26 4:02 pm From: Trent R. Stanley via groups.io <trent...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Another Serra Mesa Coastal Cactus Wren, Shawn Ave
Barbara Carlson and I checked some more of the finger canyons of Serra Mesa
this morning (2/7) and found another Coastal Cactus Wren in a different
location at the east end of Shawn Ave (32.79521, -117.12300
<https://maps.app.goo.gl/wYkF6GmcfYbbm3L58>), an offshoot of Murphy Canyon
just up the hill from Stonecrest. We began at Shawn Ave and worked our way
down the very birdy canyon filled with flowers and fan palms. Just as we
were leaving, a Coastal Cactus Wren began singing from a patch of cacti
across the canyon (32.79715, -117.12256
<https://maps.app.goo.gl/6eUYTxXuEHjfwmXWA>). We stayed around to try for
photos and recordings. No visuals, but the recordings are unmistakable.
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Date: 2/7/26 9:57 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Lindo Lake BT Green Warbler and misc.
The Black throated Green Warbler at Lindo Lake continues today, Saturday. Found back in early-ish January by a Palomar Audubon Society field trip. Present this morning close to where it had been seen on previous dates along the one-way loop road on the south side of the lake. Today it was in several silk oaks right near the exit of the one-way loop, coordinates: 32.857552,-116.917911
Earlier this morning, the female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker continues in Ramona and flew into its favored area already at 6:35 a.m., but instead of going to its heavily riddled smaller eucalyptus, it went into a larger eucalyptus, three or four trees to the north, just north of the horseshoe pits. Yesterday afternoon, the Painted Redstart continued in the Talmadge neighborhood southwest of SDSU.
Paul Lehman, San Diego
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Date: 2/5/26 2:22 pm From: Justyn Stahl via groups.io <justyn.stahl...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] [CALBIRDS] California Bird Atlas: First Month Report
Update from Van on CBA progress below.
Justyn Stahl
North Park
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Van Pierszalowski via groups.io <van...>
>
Date: Thu, Feb 5, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Subject: [CALBIRDS] California Bird Atlas: First Month Report
To: <CALBIRDS...>
Birders,
We’ve been blown away by the early engagement in support of California’s
first statewide Breeding Bird Atlas. As of this writing, 20,850 Atlas
checklists have been submitted across 2,864 blocks in 57 counties by 1,491
contributors. In January alone, 59 species have already received Confirmed
breeding codes.
We’ve also been building a statewide network of Regional Coordinators and
data reviewers to help oversee the effort. If you’re interested in joining
the team, reach out to me directly at <van...>
This first-ever statewide Atlas is being coordinated by California Bird
Atlas <https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/> (CBA), an independent
nonprofit.
If you’re able, please consider making a donation
<https://donorbox.org/california-bird-atlas>. Your support directly funds
the infrastructure and scientific coordination needed to sustain this
statewide effort. Thank you for helping build it.
Happy Atlasing,
Van Pierszalowski
Executive Director, California Bird Atlas (CBA)
<van...>
Los Angeles, CA
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Date: 2/5/26 9:39 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] a new (photogenic) White-winged Scoter
Given the presence of White Wing Scoters for long periods of time this winter, both at Vacation Isle and the IB Pier (formerly), this likely won't generate much interest, but Thursday morning just after 9:00 a.m. there's a young White-winged quite a bit farther up a channel than normal away from the open water of San Diego Bay or the ocean; specifically, in the Sweetwater River tidal section over a mile Inland immediately downstream from the 2nd Avenue bridge, where one can park. This is right on the border of Chula Vista and National City. It is happily feeding in the area, but who knows how long it'll stay there before presumably returning some distance westward.....
Paul Lehman, San Diego
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Date: 2/2/26 7:15 pm From: Martha Wild via groups.io <mawild...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Safari park -Free
So last time I went to Safari Park really early for birding, I got there before anyone was manning the entrance gate. The gate was open, but no one was there. I drove in and parked, and looked around and finally saw a park person I could ask about it. I am a member, so it would have been free anyway, but I was worried that if I came in and didn’t get some sort of proof that I’d paid, I’d be in trouble. However, when I spoke to the staff person, they said not to worry about it. So I just stayed where I was, and nobody said “boo”, even though I was there way past noon.
I suppose since they mostly are having people pay as they go in, they know that pretty much everyone has paid. My guess is they probably don’t want to make a fuss even if they do give you a thing for the windshield or dash (I don’t remember if this is the case) because there are probably plenty of people who either forget to display the thing, or it falls off or blows off when they shut the door, and they’d have a lot of mad people who actually had paid if they did enforce it strictly.
So - that was my experience. Of course, maybe it was just an odd day and the gatekeeper was late….. but you could try your luck.
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Date: 2/2/26 6:47 pm From: <slader...> via groups.io <slader...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Safari park -Free
According to their website parking is $20, but free for members (new change as of January)
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
On Mon, Feb 2, 2026 at 15:30, Dean Budd via groups.io<1dabudd...> wrote: FYICheck on line but i believe February is free for seniors 65 & up, just pay parking. Parking is $15 but go to their website to check prices & details.
February San Diego Safari Park free admission for seniors just pay parking
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Date: 2/2/26 3:30 pm From: Dean Budd via groups.io <1dabudd...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Safari park -Free
FYI Check on line but i believe February is free for seniors 65 & up, just pay parking. Parking is $15 but go to their website to check prices & details.
February San Diego Safari Park free admission for seniors just pay parking
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Date: 2/2/26 8:55 am From: Nancy Christensen via groups.io <nancy.r.christensen...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] American bittern
Continuing this morning on the loop trail at the San Elijo Nature Center. Best seen on the eastern part of the trail. Bird is currently fully out in the open enjoying g the sun.
Nancy Christensen
Ramona
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
Chinese Proverb
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Date: 2/2/26 7:49 am From: Angela Johnson via groups.io <birdnerd26...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] ANOTHER Cape May Warbler!
Cape May warbler still here, in same area as Paul described near the truck
lot. Also a Nashville warbler is also in the same area.
Angela Johnson
Escondido
On Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 11:37 AM <lehman.paul...> via groups.io
<lehman.paul...> wrote:
> About an hour ago, around 10:00 10:15, I stumbled into yet another, new,
> male Cape May Warbler. This one is far far away from Solana Beach and is up
> on Otay Mesa near the border crossings. A bunch of the big truck
> warehousing facilities here have tipus in their parking lots or lining the
> streets. I started coming here only last winter when I didn't have many
> birds overall, but did have one Plumbeous Vireo. Today, there are
> definitely far more Yellow rumps than I had in the overall area last year
> but had nothing good until literally my final stop, and voila! The Cape May
> is a male and is slightly brighter than the Solana Beach bird in that it
> has more chestnut in the cheek. Whether it is a bright immature male or, in
> fact, an adult male is not certain. Photos later in my eBird report.
>
>
> The bird is along a short cul-de-sac named Neils Bohr Court, which is off
> of Heinrich Hertz Drive, which is just east of the end of Highway 125 and
> not far northeast of the Siempra Viva exit on the 905, the final USA exit.
> The bird is frequenting the tipu trees that line the right side of the
> road, specifically those that are from 2/3 of the way down to near the end
> of the line. Many winter Cape Mays like nectar, and sure enough in addition
> to feeding in the tipas, the bird also went to the blooming coral trees
> that are just a little farther down on the right, and then returned to the
> tipus. The entire curb along Neils Bohr is red so no parking allowed
> officially, although I suspect nobody's going to really care if you're
> standing near your car, but for legal parking go just to the end of the
> cul-de-sac, just past the coral tree, and there is a Holiday Inn Express
> where you can park in their lot. To the right of the streetside tipus the
> bird also visited a couple tipus up against a truck warehousing facility
> which you can still easily see from the sidewalk, and I would suggest
> staying out of their parking lot because while I was in there a manager
> came out and asked what I was doing and when I told him I'd only be 5 or 10
> minutes looking at a rare bird he said okay but then he added that this is
> private property.
>
>
> Much farther west at the Siempre Viva Pond, the immature Snow Goose
> continues as does Yellow-headed blackbird and at least 14 Wilsons Snipe
> along the east side of the pond.
>
>
> Earlier in the morning, the Leon Avenue/Berry Park Bay-breasted Warbler
> and adult male Orchard Oriole both continued.
>
>
> Paul Lehman, San Diego
>
> Sent from AOL on Android
> <https://aolapp.onelink.me/eG2g?pid=NativePlacement&c=US_Acquisition_YMktg_320_EmailSignature_AttributionDL&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=US_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100002473&af_sub5=SentFromNewAOLApp__Interstitial_&af_ios_store_cpp=ce85ce34-ad0f-4811-a92b-a172743b064e&af_android_url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?<id...>&listing=email_signature_attribution> >
>
>
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Date: 1/31/26 10:13 pm From: Ruslan Balagansky via groups.io <ruslan...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Hotspots for eBird bar charts Feb 1 - 7
Greetings,
Thanks to our combined efforts, we have again exceeded the previous week's completion rate! Highlights include:
* A whopping 55 species observed at Old Coach Rd riparian, including a big flock of Wild Turkeys, a Greater Roadrunner, and a Canvasback * Good numbers of visible Cassin's and Purple finches on Mt. Laguna * Mountain Quail on Palomar Mountain
For the first week of February we have 10 hotspots nearing completion, including one that just needs this upcoming week (noted in bold red text below).
As always, if you'd like to contribute, simply submit a Complete eBird checklist from any of the hotspots listed here for the given week. If multiple people submit lists from the same spot, the data will be even better, so don't worry about doubling up. The map link shows the hotspot locations and if you tap on a marker, a hyperlink to the eBird page for the hotspot is provided for your convenience (there you can see recent visits under Recent Checklists if you wish).
Agua Hedionda Lagoon--east end Cuyamaca Rancho SP--Azalea Glen Trail Laguna Mtns.--Upper Kitchen Creek Rd. Legoland California *North El Portal Seawatch - 1* Rancho La Costa Preserve--Denk Mountain and Copper Canyon SDSU Mission Valley River Park San Luis Rey River--Foussat to Douglas Sunset Drive Area--eucs & riparian Torrey Hills Mesa
Hotspots with 3+ week bar chart gaps:
Pine Valley Creek (SD Co.) Pacific Crest Trail--west of Kitchen Creek Rd. Cameron Truck Trail--behind Border Patrol Station Reama Park Hollywood Park Sunrise Hwy--Pedro Fages Monument San Onofre SB--bluffs NAS North Island--fishing piers Palomar Mtn.--Doane Valley CG La Posta Creek pullouts Palomar Mtn.--East Grade Road Camp Pendleton--Santa Margarita River mouth (restricted access) Poway--Budwin Lane riparian Holy Cross Cemetery Views West Neighborhood Park Laguna Mtns.--Garnet Peak Monserate Mountain Preserve Cristianitos Regional Trail Engel Family Preserve Laguna Mtns--Escondido Ravine Road & Trail
Cheers,
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Date: 1/31/26 10:50 am From: thisisanikab via groups.io <thisisanikab...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] American Bittern at San Elijo
At around 9:30 this morning, on the north side of the trail at 33.01238° N, 117.27172° W by the thick fallen log.
I was trying to get pictures of the shovelers when I scared the bittern I couldn’t see, perched about 5 feet up in the thicket. Flew into the thicket north and wasn’t seen again, even after circling back around an hour later with lesser crowds.
Unmistakably a bittern with a long neck, bill, and legs. Streaking on the neck had a dull rufous hue but the rest of the bittern was overall drab coloration with no distinct coloration like a Least.
Anika Balint
Carlsbad, CA
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Date: 1/30/26 12:12 pm From: Chris McCreedy via groups.io <cmccreedy...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] American Bittern at San Elijo
Dave T here. We do not see it there now, but no reason why it might not just walk back out in the open again. Patient scanning in the brackish water behind the bench might turn it up.
On Jan 30, 2026, at 11:36, Chris McCreedy <CMcCreedy...> wrote:
WARNING, this message has originated from an external source.
There is currently an American Bittern in the open, 8 feet behind temhe Vivian Shipley bench at San Elijo.
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Date: 1/30/26 8:22 am From: stephens.marcus via groups.io <stephens.marcus...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Gray Catbird - FRNC
Just before leaving Fort Rosecrans this morning there was a Gray Catbird in the bush here: (32.6944786, -117.2441458).
Marcus Stephens
Point Loma
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Date: 1/29/26 11:37 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] ANOTHER Cape May Warbler!
About an hour ago, around 10:00 10:15, I stumbled into yet another, new, male Cape May Warbler. This one is far far away from Solana Beach and is up on Otay Mesa near the border crossings. A bunch of the big truck warehousing facilities here have tipus in their parking lots or lining the streets. I started coming here only last winter when I didn't have many birds overall, but did have one Plumbeous Vireo. Today, there are definitely far more Yellow rumps than I had in the overall area last year but had nothing good until literally my final stop, and voila! The Cape May is a male and is slightly brighter than the Solana Beach bird in that it has more chestnut in the cheek. Whether it is a bright immature male or, in fact, an adult male is not certain. Photos later in my eBird report.
The bird is along a short cul-de-sac named Neils Bohr Court, which is off of Heinrich Hertz Drive, which is just east of the end of Highway 125 and not far northeast of the Siempra Viva exit on the 905, the final USA exit. The bird is frequenting the tipu trees that line the right side of the road, specifically those that are from 2/3 of the way down to near the end of the line. Many winter Cape Mays like nectar, and sure enough in addition to feeding in the tipas, the bird also went to the blooming coral trees that are just a little farther down on the right, and then returned to the tipus. The entire curb along Neils Bohr is red so no parking allowed officially, although I suspect nobody's going to really care if you're standing near your car, but for legal parking go just to the end of the cul-de-sac, just past the coral tree, and there is a Holiday Inn Express where you can park in their lot. To the right of the streetside tipus the bird also visited a couple tipus up against a truck warehousing facility which you can still easily see from the sidewalk, and I would suggest staying out of their parking lot because while I was in there a manager came out and asked what I was doing and when I told him I'd only be 5 or 10 minutes looking at a rare bird he said okay but then he added that this is private property.
Much farther west at the Siempre Viva Pond, the immature Snow Goose continues as does Yellow-headed blackbird and at least 14 Wilsons Snipe along the east side of the pond.
Earlier in the morning, the Leon Avenue/Berry Park Bay-breasted Warbler and adult male Orchard Oriole both continued.
Paul Lehman, San Diego
Sent from AOL on Android
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