http://www.sandiegoaudubon.org/ - Newest Hotspots

Emory's Cove

Tue, 29 May 2012 22:30:10 +0100

Bayshore Bikeway (Silver Strand Bikeway), 91932 Imperial Beach

We have been working in partnership with the Port of San Diego and the San Diego Oceans Foundation to restore Emory Cove for resident and migratory wildlife.

Chula Vista

Tue, 29 May 2012 22:27:57 +0100

Eastlake, 91914 Chula Vista

This is a project of the San Diego Flyway Cities Coalition, aimed at raising community awareness and capacity for installing native, drought-tolerant landscapes in the eastern Chula Vista community of Eastlake.

Stoney Point

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:34:37 +0100

Stony Point, 92109 San Diego

Both of these sites are designated nesting locations for the endangered California Least Tern.

South Shores

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:30:33 +0100

S Shores Park Dy, 92109 San Diego

This project falls under our Transnet EMP grant to restore coastal dune habitat around Mission Bay.

San Diego River

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:26:51 +0100

Ocean Beach Bike Path, 92110 San Diego

SDAS has adopted a section of the San Diego River in support of the San Diego River Park Foundation's effort to restore the River.

North Fiesta Island

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:21:14 +0100

North Fiesta Island, 92109 San Diego

Both of these sites are designated nesting locations for the endangered California Least Tern.

Mariner's Point

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:17:30 +0100

Mariners Point, 92109 San Diego

SDAS is dedicated to restoring and protecting an important California Least Tern nesting site at Mariner's Point in Mission Bay.

Hollenback Canyon

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:14:51 +0100

Hollenbeck Canyon, 91935 California

We are collaborating with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish & Game, and other conservation organizations to improve community access to and care of Otay-Sweetwater conserved lands by implementing education and stewardship programs that serve local students.

Downtown San Diego

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:04:34 +0100

Downtown, 92101 San Diego

This project was developed out of a rise in campaigns in major cities in North America aimed at reducing bird mortality due to artificial lighting.

D-Street

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:59:33 +0100

Sweetwater Marsh, 91910 Chula Vista

In collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges, and with funding from the Port of San Diego, we're working to improve nesting habitat at the D Street Nesting Site.

Salton Sea

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:14:32 +0100

906 West Sinclair Road, 92233 Calipatria

While it's in Imperial rather than San Diego County, this is a great place to find special birds in summer and winter. This is a desert area in Imperial County. Summer visitorsinclude Wood Storks, Black Terns, Yellow-footed Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Lesser Nighthawks, Burrowing Owls and migrant Wilson's and Red-necked Phalaropes.

Crown Point

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:13:56 +0100

Crown Point Dr, 92109 San Diego

During very high tides in winter, this is an excellent spot to find shorebirds, waterfowl, skimmers, terns, gulls, and rails. The best and most accessible area overlooks the Kendall-Frost Preserve from the northerly end of Crown Point Shores Park.

Buena Vista Lagoon

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:13:40 +0100

2202 S Coast Hwy, 92054 Oceanside

The Buena Vista Lagoon is half in Oceanside, half in Carlsbad. There are dozens of resident species and dozens more migrants and over-wintering birds.

Penasquitos Canyon

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:12:53 +0100

Los Penasquitos Preserve, 92129 San Diego

This is a pleasant canyon in a quiet preserve accessible from either end of the six-mile canyon. Possible species are Acorn Woodpecker, White-tailed Kite (nesting), Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows (winter), Blue Grosbeak, (summer), Nuttall's Woodpecker, and Western Bluebird.

La Jolla

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:12:11 +0100

Coast Blvd, 92037 San Diego

The Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla features rocky shoreline birding. Winter, when numerous shorebirds are present, is best. Some interesting pelagic birds come close to the shore in stormy weather.

Agua Caliente Springs County Park

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:10:37 +0100

39555 Great Southern Overland Stage Route, 92036 Julian

A great birding location in the Anza-Borrego Desert especially during spring migration. Pleasant weather allows rewarding birding in April and May. Natural springs seeping through the campground attract many species. A good spot to possibly locate Least Bell' Vireos and MacGillivray's Warbler as they migrate through. Other possibilities are Scott's Oriole, Black-throated Sparrow, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Verdin, Phainopepla, Western Tanager, Cactus Wren, and other migrating warblers.

Lake Morena

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:09:09 +0100

Lake Morena Dr, 91906 Campo

Park at the parking area near the ranger station within Lake Morena County Park. This locale has good potential especially in early fall and late spring migration before it gets hot. Possible birds are Golden Eagle, Phainopepla, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Yellow Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole in summer.

Lake Henshaw / Mesa Grande Road

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:08:20 +0100

Lake Henshaw, 92070 San Diego

A special region in the back country that always has a surprise or two in the late fall and winter; it never fails to produce a few sapsuckers and raptors then.

Lake Hodges

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:08:02 +0100

Lake Hodges, Escondido

Fine birding spot at an easily accessible scenic reservoir. Species one might observe are Western and Clark' Grebes, California and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, the coastal race of Cactus Wren, White-tailed Kite,Osprey, Golden Eagle, Sage Sparrow, and Spotted Sandpiper.

Lake Murray

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:06:42 +0100

Lake Murray, 92119 San Diego

A good variety of birds is possible here. Fairly consistently, dependable species are Osprey, California Gnatcatcher, Tricolored Blackbird, California Thrasher, Green Heron, and, in summer Bullock' Oriole and Western Kingbird.

South Bay

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:05:43 +0100

738 Boulevard Ave, 91932 Imperial Beach

Weather permitting this is a good spot to see a variety of mainly waterfowl that winter in the South Bay. But terns and skimmers are always around Birding is best in winter.

Kitchen Creek

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:05:27 +0100

Kitchen Creek Rd, 91962 Pine Valley

The elusive Gray Vireo should be a target bird here; one of the best spots in the county to find it in spring and summer.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:05:10 +0100

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, 91916 San Diego

An area with good potential for mountain species. Possibilities are White-headed Woodpeckers, Western Tanagers, Fox Sparrows, Brown Creepers, Pygmy and Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Cassin's Vireo (A).

Agua Dulce Creek

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:04:40 +0100

Morris Ranch Ln, 91962 Pine Valley

If red penstemon and Indian paintbrush are blooming in July, Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds can be found in the meadow near the Group Camp, on Kitchen Creek Road, and generally throughout the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.

Palomar Mountain State Park

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:01:53 +0100

Palomar Mountain State Park, 92061 Pauma Valley

This is a pleasant change from other nearby mountain areas and features huge cedars and pines. A productive spot 0.6 miles down East Grade Road from the top intersection may be good for Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds if red penstemon is blooming in July.

Noble Canyon

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:00:40 +0100

Noble Canyon, 91962 Pine Valley

This is an interesting and pleasant spot near Pine Valley that can be productive in late spring or early summer before it gets hot during the day. Pine Creek Road at this time can be driven all the way through the wilderness and the road comes out at Sunrise Highway near the Pioneer Mail Picnic area.

Blue Sky Preserve

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:59:52 +0100

16275 Espola Road, 92064 Poway

The Pacific-slope Flycatcher probably breeds here. Western Kingbirds and Yellow Warblers are here in summer. Year-round residents that might be present are the Hutton's Vireo, Cassin's Kingbird, Red-shouldered Hawk, Spotted Towhee and Cooper's Hawk.

Guajome Regional Park

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:59:05 +0100

3000 Guajome Lake Road, 92057 Oceanside

This is a sprawling county park of over 500 acres in Oceanside with a 25-acre lake and adjacent marshland and some interesting trails. The trail along the marsh and through a wooded area along a stream is rewarding.

Sweetwater River Gorge

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:58:46 +0100

Campo near Singer Ln, 91978 Spring Valley

A great riparian area complemented by open fields and chaparral. This is part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Least Bell's Vireos, Bullock's Orioles and Rough-winged and Tree Swallows arrive here late March but all summer residents will be here by mid-May.

Tijuana River National Estuariane Reserve

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:56:43 +0100

301 Caspian Way, 91932 Imperial Beach

A high tide should bring out Clapper Rails here, right along side the street along with a possible American Bittern (W). Later in the same morning or afternoon, a lower tide should encourage shorebird activity. Royal Terns in winter and Snowy Plovers and Little Blue Herons at any time are possibilities.

Kit Carson Park

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:52:39 +0100

Kit Carson Park, 92025 Escondido

This has turned out to be a particularly good birding spot in Escondido for wintering birds. Possible species one might see are Pine Siskin ((W) in some years, Cedar Waxwings (W) fairly reliably, Western Bluebird, American Goldfinch, and Lawrence's Goldfinch, and Lawrence's Goldfinch occasionally.

Borrego Springs

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:51:47 +0100

, 92004 Borrego Springs

This is the Anza-Borrego Desert area of the county and includes a few special spots around Borrego Springs. This locale gets hot in the summer and only early morning birding is practical then. Winter birding is pleasant.

Point Loma

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:51:27 +0100

Cabrillo National Monument, 92106 San Diego

While fall migration is always unpredictable, Point Loma seems to be the right place to concentrate one's efforts especially during October. Point Loma offers fair birding in the spring.

Lindo Lake Park

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:51:11 +0100

12723-12767 Lakeshore Dr, 92040 Lakeside

A nice little birding spot right in the middle of Lakeside. Winter birding is more productive. An interesting pond in the northeast corner produces a good variety of birds sometimes including Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch, and Red-breasted Sapsucker.

Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:50:25 +0100

13003 Wildcat Canyon Rd, 92040 Lakeside

Silverwood is a wildlife sanctuary owned and managed by the San Diego Audubon Society. Birding would be best around the residence building and the feeder area.

San Diego River Estuary

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:50:07 +0100

500 Sea World Drive, 92109-7900 San Diego

A tide that becomes progressively lower throughout the morning is desirable if one plans to spend a few hours birding; it makes ideal mudflats for shorebirds. Low tide is best to see a variety of shorebirds if only birding for a short while.

San Elijo Lagoon

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:48:04 +0100

2780 Manchester Ave, 92007 Cardiff

A good spot to find early fall migrants, especially Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs (low tide), Barn Swallows, Phalaropes (high tide), and the remote possibility of Baird's Sandpiper, and Stilt Sandpiper (high tide) , Pacific Golden Plover.

Old Mission Dam

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:47:32 +0100

10164 Father Junipero Serra Trail, 92119 San Diego

This impressive river gorge may be lush with vegetation and combined with the vast open fields above the dam and some chaparral, should produce a good variety of birds.

Santee Lakes

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:47:18 +0100

9310 Fanita Pkwy, 92071 Santee

One of the better birding spots in the county largely because of all the lakes and adjoining habitats and open space of Miramar Air Station and Mission Trails Regional Park.

Dairy Mart Pond

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:46:56 +0100

Dairy Mart Rd 2320-2562, 92108 San Diego

The Pond is a remnant of an old sand mining operation and is now managed by the San Diego County Parks Dept in turn, part of the large Tijuana River Valley Regional Park on the U.S.-Mexican border.