Birds of the San Dieguito River Valley

photos © Paul Haydu                             June bird count check list

New Photos - posted 08/28/2010

 

< Diving Birds

Nesting Clark's Grebe

Eared Grebes

< Waterfowl

Two Ruddy Duck males

Cinnamon Teal

Bufflehead Ducks

Blue-winged Teal

Mallard pair in Pickleweed

< Ducks

Mallard female and eight chicks. Taken on a pond near the DM Public Works,
near the river-mouth.

Mallard Mother and 9 Ducklings

< Quail

NEW: Quail Covey

Quail like Coyote had nearly disappeared from Crest Canyon after it was opened to all for trail walking. Many people still let their dogs off-leash, and they disturb dens, nests and denizens of the chaparral. Quail unlike Coyote have had a resurgence, and during my walk today off San Dieguito Drive ... this covey of Quail came over to us, and perched within spitting distance. I almost couldn't use my full telephoto because they were so close!

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NEW: Female California Quail

< Heron-like Birds

Herons and egrets.  Taken from the Grand Avenue Bridge lookout.  There
are 4 birds in the picture.  enlargement

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Green Heron

Green Heron

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

< Shorebirds

Black-necked Stilt approaching her nest.

Black-necked Stilt inspecting her nest.

Black-necked Stilt on her nest.  All three pictures Taken on a pond near the DM Public Works, near the river-mouth.

Spotted Sandpiper

Killdeer distracting intruders from nest

Kildeer

Greater Yellowlegs

Willet

< Pelicans and Cormorants

Brown Pelican

< Gulls and Terns

NEW: Juvenile California Gull

Western Gull

Forester's Tern

< Birds of Prey

Turkey Vulture

Osprey over Lagoon

Osprey with Fish

Red-shouldered Hawk

< Hummingbirds

Anna's Hummingbird

< Riparian Birds

Belted Kingfisher

< Upland Birds

Lesser Goldfinch

Cliff Swallow Nests.  on the underside of I-15 at the east end of Lake Hodges.

Cliff Swallows collecting mud for nests across from the Grand Ave. Bridge.

Cliff Swallows have returned!   Cliff Swallows have returned to the San Dieguito Lagoon after spending the winter in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.  They may be seen at the Grand Avenue Bridge gathering mud along the shore. Look for groups of birds standing on the mudflat picking up mud as they flutter their up-stretched wings. Their domed nests are constructed under the bridge, one dollop at a time, from mud carried back in their bills. As the number of nests increases they may become closely packed forming a “condominium complex.” Remember to be quiet and don't disturb the birds.  03/30/2010

House Finch

Cassin's Kingbird

Mockingbird

Say's Phoebe

Hooded Oriole

 

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