The San Dieguito Monthly Bird Count added two new species to the list this month! Click here for the PDF document with the detailed monthly results through January 2016.

118 bird species were identified in the January 2016 bird survey. The two new species seen were Rock Wren and Pine Siskin, bringing the cumulative species total to 229.

“The Rock Wren was a real surprise,” bird count leader Jayne Lesley reported. That makes sense, because according to the Audubon Guide to North American Birds website, and like its name suggests, the Rock Wren is usually found on rocky slopes and canyons, and it is uncommon to winter along the Southern California coast. The featured photo was found on the Audubon website and was taken by Glenn Bartley.

Please note- the names of two bird species have been updated in the results:
Nutmeg Mannikin (pet trade name) was changed to Scaly-breasted Munia
Clapper Rail was changed to Ridgway’s Rail (It was genetically determined to be a different species instead of a subspecies of Clapper Rail a year and a half ago. This news article goes into further detail.)

Click here for more information about the San Dieguito Lagoon Bird Surveys.