Natural History Wanderings

ABA Birding Rally: San Diego, Californa October 12-16, 2013 How Much: $1195

Hosts: Gary Nunn, Jon Dunn, Forrest Rowland, Jennie Duberstein, George Armistead, Jeff & Liz Gordon, Bill Stewart, John Puschock, and more. Pelagic leaders include: Paul Lehman & Guy McCaskie.

Extension: October 17-18 to the Salton Sea Extension ($495)

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT > and the Salton Sea Extension.

It’s time to head for SoCal, and there is no better time to do it than October. Join the ABA staff and local experts as they explore one of the birdiest cities in the world in search of migrants and regional specialties. In and around San Diego there is an incredibly diverse range of habitats hosting a great variety of birds. Our field trips during the rally will visit four major areas, and those that opt for the extension will visit the Salton Sea as well, where vast numbers of migrants are encountered and there is always the chance to see the Yellow-footed Gull.

BIRDING AREAS:

In the Tijuana River Valley we’ll visit Dairy Mart Ponds, and Border Field State Park and other nearby areas in search of raptors (including White-tailed Kite), flycatchers, vireos, warblers and sparrows and hope to encounter local specialties like California Thrasher and Wrentit. This riparian patchwork of habitats provides excellent birding opportunities at a leisurely pace.

Just outside of San Diego are the Laguna and Cuyamaca Mountains which host a nice array of birds which may include Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, and even Mountain Quail is possible. Migrant birds are also making their way through the mountains at this time of year, adding to the diversity of species encountered.

Another field trip day will feature a variety of San Diego Migrant Traps and other hotspots for birds such as Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Elegant Tern, and more chances for regional endemics such as California Gnatcatcher.

The pelagic waters off San Diego are great for seabirds, and we will endeavor a pelagic trip that tours the near shore waters, as well as out to bird rich regions at the important 9-Mile Bank and 30-Mile Bank. We will search for a good variety of storm-petrels (including Black, Least, and possibly others) and hope to encounter a vast storm-petrel flock known in these waters. We’ll keep a vigilant watch for alcids also, with the hope that we spy a murrelet or two.

For more information ABA Birding Rally: San Diego, California « ABA Events.