Date: 1/7/26 11:11 pm From: Ruslan Balagansky via groups.io <ruslan...> Subject: Re: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Hotspots for eBird Bar Charts January 8-14
I was just alerted that some of the "classic" 6 hotspots for next week will
fall on California Bird Atlas block boundaries (I didn't check the "gap"
hotspots, but probably some of those will also fall on block boundaries).
If you are atlassing for CBA, please be aware of this. I believe you have a
few options for the hotspots in question (San Onofre SB, Delta Beach, and a
small slice of Torrey Hills Mesa):
1. Create a *non-project *checklist as usual, ignoring the CBA (but please
consider the alternatives below instead!)
2. Create a CBA project checklist for the hotspot and limit your birding to
the CBA project block the hotspot pin is in (when you select the hotspot in
the app, you'll see the project grid and block boundaries). Afterward, if
desired, create a checklist in a personal location for neighboring
block(s). Optionally, name the personal location after the main hotspot and
append "(atlas only)", then suggest it as a hotspot.
3. Create a *non-project* checklist, taking note of Breeding Codes *and the
block they occur in*. Afterward, for any breeding codes above H and S,
create an Incidental checklist(s), duplicating the entries from your main
checklist. As above, consider naming locations for non-hotspot adjacent
blocks after the hotspot, appending (atlas only) and suggesting it as a
hotspot.
Perhaps @Justyn Stahl <justyn.stahl...> would like to chime in to
confirm or amend this guidance when he has time. I believe he's a bit
swamped at the moment, but I wanted to get something out now to give folks
a heads up.
Cheers,
On Wed, Jan 7, 2026 at 8:36 PM Ruslan Balagansky <ruslan...>
wrote:
> Greetings SD birders and fellow eBird bar chart enthusiasts,
>
> I'm very pleased to report that we started 2026 off strong! *All*
> hotspots in the "classic" category were covered!
>
> This is particularly impressive as they were spread quite wide around the
> county! Big thanks to those of you who helped make this happen!
>
> Fun fact: almost all of the checklists for these hotspots this past week
> were submitted under the new *California Bird Atlas* project, with lots
> of Breeding Codes marked! Nice to see that CBA is off to a good start!
>
> Highlights include:
>
> * Summer Tanager in Poway's Hilleary Park
> * A Neotropic Cormorant, 35 Common Mergansers, a juvenile Bald Eagle, and
> a breeding plumaged Golden-crowned Sparrow at Lake Sutherland
> * Slate-colored Junco at Mt Hope
> * Possible Cassin's Finches at Upper Kitchen Creek Rd
> * Oak Titmice defending a hollow from a Bewick's Wren in PQ Canyon
> * 4 species with Probable Breeding Codes in Torrey Hills Mesa
> * A very high 6.88 feet tide at Agua Hedionda provided a much birdier
> experience than usual
>
> Let's keep the momentum going next week! Again, we have 6 "classic"
> hotspots, with one needing only this one week to be 100% complete!
>
> Map for next week:
> https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1blFPrINIVkNg1q9L06MtxpyZ_76VXmE&usp=sharing >
> Hotspots nearing bar chart completion:
>
> Delta Beach--north overlook
> Raptor Ridge Trail
> San Felipe Valley Wildlife Area--north
> San Onofre SB
> Torrey Hills Mesa
> *Veterans Memorial Park (planned) - 1*
>
>
> Hotspots with 3+ week bar chart gaps:
>
> Laguna Mtns.--Morris Ranch Rd.
> Banner
> Potrero County Park
> Anza-Borrego Desert SP--Old Vallecito Ranch
> Azalea Community Park
> Palomar County Park
> City Heights Community Park
> Oasis Spring
> Lusardi Creek Loop Trail
> Swan Canyon
> La Costa Glen Trail--La Costa Ave. to Levante St., Carlsbad
> Campo
> Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve (Restricted Access)
> Palomar Mtn.--Doane Valley CG
> Spooners Mesa
> Agua Hedionda Lagoon--boat ramp
> Grape Day Park
> Camp Pendleton--Santa Margarita River mouth (restricted access)
> Bonsall--Old River Rd.
> Sweetwater Community Gardens
> Otay River Valley--east of 125
> Holy Cross Cemetery
> Coronado Cays--park & residential
> Jess Martin Park
>
> Cheers,
>
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