The San Dieguito Monthly Bird Count identified 82 species in July. No new bird species were seen, so the cumulative total remains at 234. Click here for the PDF document with the detailed monthly results through July 2017.

According to bird count leader Jayne Lesley, some noteworthy birds were many broods of ducklings seen from the West Loop of Dust Devil Nature Trail in the seasonal freshwater ponds that haven’t dried up yet, including Mallards, Gadwalls, Redheads, American Coots, Ruddy Ducks, and Cinnamon Teals. Other interesting birds include singing Least Bell’s Vireos, Greater Roadrunners, Western Sandpipers, White-faced Ibis, a Common Merganser and Red-breasted Merganser, and a first year male Blue Grosbeak transitioning into adult (blue) plumage.

The featured image of an adult American Coot feeding a chick was taken by SDRP Trail Patrol Volunteer Ginni Kitchen at Lake Hodges in June.

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