The San Dieguito Monthly Bird Count identified 86 species in July. No new bird species were seen, so the cumulative total remains at 230. Click here for the PDF document with the detailed monthly results through July 2016.

According to bird count leader Jayne Lesley, some species of interest were: 2 Black Storm Petrels over the ocean, a Northern Shoveler, a Cinnamon Teal with eclipse plumage in the freshwater ponds below Dust Devil Nature Trail West Loop, Blue Grosbeaks, and a Flicker. Returning shorebirds include: Least and Western Sandpipers, Black-belly and Semi-palmated Plovers, Willet, Whimbrel, Curlew, Dowitcher, and Yellow-legs. Also, lots of juveniles were seen following and being fed by their parents.

The featured image of a pair of Northern Shovelers was taken by SDRP Trail Patrol Volunteer Ginni Kitchen at the Bernardo Bay Natural Area back in February 2016.

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