Palomar Audubon Society

06/06/2026

On Saturday May 30th, 27 birders enjoyed a great day birding in 4 spots along the Kitchen Creek road. The target bird for this area was the Gray Vireo which we were finally able to see really well at the last stop. We had a couple of Scott's Oriole and a brief view of Mountain Quail backsides as they flew away from us, see the picture. We ended up with 34 species which is pretty good for that area this time of year.
Thank you to all the photographers who got some great pictures.
To see the pictures and the complete list of species, see the links to the ebird checklists below.

Steve.

ebird.org/checklist/S349727660
ebird.org/checklist/S349727658
ebird.org/checklist/S349727657
ebird.org/checklist/S349727656

06/03/2026

On Saturday morning, May 23, 2026, twenty‑eight participants joined us for the scheduled field trip at Ramona Grasslands. The weather was overcast and seasonal, providing comfortable conditions for birding.

Raptors were active throughout the morning—hawks and kestrels were plentiful—and Lark Sparrows could be both heard and seen. Doves and Acorn Woodpeckers rounded out the expected species for this grass‑and‑oak, pasture‑like habitat.

En route to Rangeland Road, we were treated to views of two Burrowing Owls. (Thank you, Denise, for sharing your spotting scope.) The gate at Old Survey Road (off Rangeland Road) was open, allowing us to park there and walk past the pond into the oak woodland. On the pond, two Eared Grebes in breeding plumage were present, and we enjoyed sightings of two Vermilion Flycatchers—always a delight. All in all, it was a very enjoyable morning of birding.

Thank you for the great turnout and for allowing us to lead today’s walk. Many thanks to Steve for keeping track of the species seen, and to the multiple photographers—we look forward to seeing your posted pictures that will add to the report.

Gerry and Linda

See eBird reports for full species lists.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S345006224
https://ebird.org/checklist/S344999767

05/30/2026

Dear Bird Enthusiasts. It was a beautiful day in the valley Saturday May 16th. The San Pasqual Valley has a lot to offer being part of the San Dieguito Watershed, close to Safari Park; plus, there are grasslands and agricultural fields nearby. The Santa Maria and Santa Ysabel Creeks just to the north of our route provide great habitat for our summer breeders like Hooded and Bullock's Oriole, the Black-headed and also Blue Grosbeak, and the Yellow-breasted Chat which were among the colorful and thrilling birds that we saw. One Bell's Vireo made itself known only by its song.

There were also a few other special treats. Paul and Tom shared with us their scope views of two Golden Eagles atop a cliff face looking down upon us. We also had good views of a White-tailed Kite in flight as well as three Wild Turkeys, one male in full display. Cactus Wrens were busy in the re-established Opuntia patch (prickly pear) and were quite cooperative and photogenic. There was a brief glimpse of a Common Ground Dove which is a rarity in the county, but known to be occasionally seen in this valley.

We found temperatures in the high 60s upon arrival, and it remained steady in the mid-70s with partly cloudy skies throughout most of our walk making for a very pleasant day. Fifty-eight species were found and about 161 individuals were counted.

Thank you all for your contributions, and special thanks to Steve for your expertise and managing our eBird checklist along with those taking photos to document our sightings and enhance our experience.

Please check out our eBird checklist below.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S340420471

Bird On!

Mary Jo
Escondido, CA

05/28/2026

On Saturday, May 9th, a fabulous group of birders gathered at Dairymart pond to explore the area in hopes of spotting some of the resident bird species as well as migratory birds that come through the area as part of the Pacific Flyway. We were not disappointed. We saw 43 species total including a Broad-winged Hawk who flew overhead shortly before we moved over the ranger station where we saw 19 species including a Northern Cardinal, and eventually to the Bird and Butterfly Garden where we saw 24 species. At the B&B Garden, which is much improved since last year's redesign, the first part of our group was treated to great views of a Magpie Jay, while the lollygaggers missed it entirely. The disappointment did not linger because we were treated to a Common Ground Dove cooing in a tree and a Calliope Hummingbird feeding in the garden in addition to several Hooded Warblers and other great birds. Overall, the weather was great, the birds were a delight, and the friendly group, wonderful as always.
Thanks to Steve for the eBird lists and thank you to our photographers that capture these beautiful moments.
Dairy Mart: https://ebird.org/checklist/S336765005,
Ranger Station: https://ebird.org/checklist/S336764167
Bird and Butterfly Garden: https://ebird.org/checklist/S335921970.
Happy Trails,
Beth

Submitted by Beth Pearson.

05/26/2026

On Saturday May 2, twenty birders met up at the La Jolla Cove. The weather was overcast, cold and windy but we had a wonderful day. We found 23 species, including lots of Brant's Cormorants, Elegant Terns, and Brown Pelicans. Several of the Brant's Cormorants had nests with juvenile birds and we were treated to some very entertaining feeding sessions. Other great sightings included a Red-crowned Amazon Parrot, Pelagic Cormorant, Black Oystercatchers and Wandering Tattlers.

Complete checklist and photos @ https://ebird.org/checklist/S331224908

Jim Beckman, trip leader

05/26/2026

On Saturday May 2, twenty birders met up at the La Jolla Cove. The weather was overcast, cold and windy but we had a wonderful day. We found 23 species, including lots of Brant's Cormorants, Elegant Terns, and Brown Pelicans. Several of the Brant's Cormorants had nests with juvenile birds and we were treated to some very entertaining feeding sessions. Other great sightings included a Red-crowned Amazon Parrot, Pelagic Cormorant, Black Oystercatchers and Wandering Tattlers.

Complete checklist and photos @ https://ebird.org/checklist/S331224908

Jim Beckman, trip leader

05/08/2026

On Saturday, April 25th, aproximately 15 birders met at the Big Morongo parking lot to execute our scheduled field trip. Some of us camped overnite, others of us made the rigorous 5 AM drive from San Diego. The morning was pleasant enough, not too hot or cold and we had no dreadful wind to disorient.
Birding looked good. We saw a belted kingfisher which caused an insecure moment of realistic locality. I mean are we in the desert? In abundance were black headed grosbeaks. The Lark sparrows, white winged doves, hooded and bullocks orioles were not as abundant but were clearly present. The hummingbird feeders were busy as well.
At Covington Park we were pleased to find three great horned owls and two barn owls. one in a cavity nest, the other perched on a branch. Vermillion Flycatchers were busily showing themselves off as well.
I have attached an ebird list rigorously compiled by Mac W. who I expect may be a
Contributing photographer. I thank all of you for making it a day at Morongo, I thank all of you that contribute your finds and photos. Take care till next time.
Gerry
https://ebird.org/checklist/S328169940

05/06/2026

On Saturday, April 25th, aproximately 15 of us met at the Big Morongo parking lot to execute our scheduled field trip. Some of us camped overnite, others of us made the rigorous 5 AM drive from San Diego. The morning was pleasant enough, not too hot or cold and we had no dreadful wind to disorient.

Birding looked good. We saw a belted kingfisher which caused an insecure moment of realistic locality. I mean are we in the desert? In abundance were black headed grosbeaks. The Lark sparrows, white winged doves, hooded and bullocks orioles were not as abundant but were clearly present. The hummingbird feeders were busy as well.

At Covington Park we were pleased to find three great horned owls and two barn owls. one in a cavity nest, the other perched on a branch. Vermillion Flycatchers were busily showing themselves off as well.

I have attached an ebird list rigorously compiled by Mac W. who I expect may be a
Contributing photographer. I thank all of you for making it a day at Morongo, I thank all of you that contribute your finds and photos. Take care till next time.

Gerry

https://ebird.org/checklist/S328169940

05/04/2026

On Saturday, April 18, a group of 20+ traveled the underrated El Monte County Park. Under the backdrop of El Cajon Mountain and a beautiful morning with clear skies, we encountered 48 species. One of the highlights was the five Lilac-crowned Amazons. No Great Horned or Barn Owls were present in the park, but we got to view a Western Screech-Owl up close, which was housed in one of the cages behind the park office.
Special thanks to Beth for collecting all the email addresses, Hal and Jack for bringing their spotting scopes and our wonderful photographers.

Thanks everyone,
Vince

04/18/2026

On Saturday, April 4th, a group of 17 people met at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, in southwestern Riverside County. This Nature Conservancy preserve contains one of the most intact remnants of Southern California’s native landscapes, protecting a collection of rare habitats that once dominated the area but have largely disappeared under urban development. We did our best to see as much of the preserve as possible by hiking over 6 miles. It was sunny but comfortable weather, especially in the shade when the light breeze gave us relief from the sun. The group worked together to find 52 species including Nashville, Wilson’s, Townsend’s, Northern Yellow, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. The wildflowers were beautiful; butterflies were everywhere; and the vernal pools still had water in them where we found several Two-striped Gartner Snakes sunning themselves. Overall, a beautiful day with beautiful people, experiencing a beautiful place.

Thanks always to Steve for the eBird lists and our amazing photographers for capturing the birds, which at several points helped us identify them accurately. https://ebird.org/checklist/S317094982 and https://ebird.org/checklist/S317095169

Happy Trails,
Beth