Since January 2010, a group of skilled birders, led by volunteer Jayne Lesley, has been conducting monthly bird surveys at the San Dieguito Lagoon. Check here for updates on the monthly distribution of birds at the Lagoon!
A great resource is now available for exploring the San Dieguito Lagoon and River Park. The new San Dieguito 
Lagoon website has been created under the auspices of the Del Mar Auxiliary and generously funded by the Del Mar Foundation. This expansive series of guides to the birds, plants, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles in the RiverPark will enhance the experience for visitors and locals alike. Particularly valuable features include identification, distribution, and natural history. The birds guide is divided into sections that follow the San Dieguito River from the Pacific Ocean to its source near Vulcan Mountain. It includes photographs of the birds, identification aids, interesting facts, and graphs of monthly abundance of birds recorded on the San Dieguito Lagoon Monthly Bird Count.
Posts about Lagoon Bird Surveys from the Nature Notebook
March 2023 San Dieguito Lagoon Bird Survey Results
We had 111 species, including a wide variety of ducks enjoying the ponds of water due to all the recent rains. No new species this time, remaining at a cumulative total of 266. Species of interest included 2 Cackling Geese in Area 5, a Merlin seen from areas 2 and 3, and American White Pelicans… Read More »
Spetember 2022 San Dieguito Lagoon Bird Survey Results
Despite the sauna-like conditions, we still managed to tally 101 species, including one new species, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Area 3, bringing our cumulative total to 263. Great job, everyone! The featured bird this month is the Semipalmated Plover taken by Ranger Dave near the Grand Avenue Bridge area. Click here for the PDF document with results… Read More »
August 2022 San Dieguito Lagoon Bird Survey Results
Species of note included a new one, Lesser Nighthawk in area 1. This brings the overall cumulative total to 261. In addition, we observed a Black-chinned Hummingbird in Area 1; as well as at least 1 Tricolored Blackbird, and two American Robins in Area 2, species we don’t see that often. The Neotropic Cormorant seen… Read More »
June 2022 San Dieguito Lagoon Bird Survey Results
The summer doldrums are just about here, but we still managed to find 90 species this month, keeping the overall cumulative total at 260 with no new species. Interesting observations included Least Terns in several areas, including confirmed nests in Area 3. In addition, we had American Goldfinches feeding young in Area 2. Other interesting… Read More »
May 2022 San Dieguito Lagoon Bird Survey Results
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there! We had lots of baby birds on this May count to help us celebrate. We tallied 121 species, and two new species in Area 4, bringing our cumulative total to 260. New species included a Swinhoe’s White-eye seen by Sue Smith and a Calliope Hummingbird found… Read More »
