The San Dieguito Monthly Bird Count identified 118 species in May- a record number for the month. This includes 2 new bird species, Swainson’s Thrush and American Bittern, which brings the cumulative species total up to 238. Click here for the PDF document with the detailed monthly results through May 2018.

According to bird count leader Jayne Lesley, “It was an outstanding count day for all groups, with lots of Yellow Warblers and Warbling Vireos, a nice assortment of less common Warblers, including Black-throated Gray, Hermit, Nashville, Wilson’s, and Townsend’s. Also spring migrants – Western Wood Peewee, Swainson’s Thrush, Western Kingbirds, Lazuli Bunting; summer breeders – Yellow-breasted Chats, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Bell’s Vireo, and Swallows (including hundreds of nesting Cliff Swallows under the freeway bridge). All that, plus lingering ducks, shorebirds, Pipits, White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows…and an American Bittern.”

The featured image of an American Bittern was found on The Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds website and was taken by Brian Sullivan. They are a member of the heron family and are between a Green Heron and Great Blue Heron in size.

The above image of a Swainson’s Thrush was also found on The Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds website and was taken by Blair Bernson. Swainson’s Thrushes on the Pacific Coast are “Russet-backed” as opposed to “Olive-backed” like those found elsewhere in North America.

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