The San Dieguito Monthly Bird Count identified 100 species in November, with no new species. This leaves the cumulative species total at 243. Click here for the PDF document with the detailed monthly results through November 2019.

Bird Count Leader Jayne Lesley reported that only a couple more duck species have arrived, along with a few winter migrants like Golden-crowned Sparrows, Hermit Thrush, American Pipits, and two Loggerhead Shrikes. Data recorder Joni also noted that many species have not arrived at all yet or in lesser numbers as previous years, saying, “For example, back in 2016 by November we had 559 White-crowned Sparrows, and this year only 64!” We’re all hoping they’re just late and the numbers will increase in December.

The featured image of a White-crowned Sparrow was taken by SDRP Trail Patrol Volunteer Ginni Kitchen at the Old Grand Avenue Bridge in January 2018. According to The Cornell Lab All About Birds website, White-crowned Sparrows from Alaska are known to migrate around 2,600 miles to winter in our area!

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