Trip Date: November 2019 | Location: California
Our journey began in the Temecula Wine region, where we stayed at the Carter Estate Winery. We enjoyed stunning views of rolling vineyards, snow-capped mountains, and hot air balloons right from our room. This was a relaxing start to the trip, highlighted by spotting a Say’s Phoebe perched right in the vines. The wine is a must-try, so be sure to visit the tasting room!
San Diego Audubon & Tidal Flats
The next morning, we joined the San Diego Audubon for a walk at the Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary. In four hours, we tallied an incredible 59 species, including the Eared Grebe, White-faced Ibis, White-throated Swift, and White-tailed Kite. You can check out our full list on eBird.
After a quick lunch, our journey took us to the San Diego River tidal flats. We were lucky to meet a friendly local birder named Michelle, who served as a fantastic guide. This stop was a major success, with 49 species tallied, including Whimbrels, Long-billed Curlews, and Marbled Godwits, along with plenty of “peeps.”
While the birding was excellent, we also observed several environmental challenges facing this habitat. We noted ground squirrels causing significant erosion to the riverbanks, as well as dogs frequently entering sensitive beach areas reserved for resting shorebirds. These disturbances highlight the importance of respecting protected areas, especially for species that rely on these flats for refueling during migration.
The primary targets for the day were the elusive Lapland Longspur (which, unfortunately had moved on since late November) and the American Pipit, of which we counted 18! The true highlight, however, was an unexpected sighting of a beautiful leucistic Brant.
Our final stop of the day was Point Loma, where we took in the historic lighthouse and sweeping views of downtown San Diego. While the tidal pools were quiet, we did manage to spot a Greater Yellowlegs. It’s a fantastic location to catch a sunset.
Mountain & Desert Birding
In search of snow, we headed into the San Jacinto Mountains. We opted for a quiet parking area near Idyllwild, which rewarded us with a Mountain Chickadee, a Pygmy Nuthatch, and our primary target: the White-headed Woodpecker. Our next stop was McCall Memorial Park, where we chatted with the friendly camp hosts and saw Northern Flickers and Stellar’s Jays. The views of the valley from here were absolutely stunning.
Next, we transitioned to desert birding at the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, where we added the Oak Titmouse, Verdin, and Rock Wren to our list. Finally, we put our new National Park pass to use at Joshua Tree National Park. Exploring Black Rock Campground, we found classic desert species, including the Loggerhead Shrike, Cactus Wren, California Thrasher, and the striking Phainopepla.
Our new park pass got its first use at Joshua Tree National Park. We headed to the Black Rock Campground, where we were rewarded with some classic desert birds. Our sightings included a Loggerhead Shrike, Cactus Wren, California Thrasher, and the striking Phainopepla.
Los Angeles Birding
The final leg featured solo birding for Mike. Griffith Park provided sightings of California Scrub-Jays and Bushtits, while White Point Park offered Black and American Oystercatchers. At Cabrillo Beach pier, we observed Black and Surf Scoters among the many grebes.
We celebrated our final night at NiKo Niko, a standout sushi spot in Burbank. The meal turned into a memorable evening when we met musician Chris Spino of the band Coma Girls. Their modern take on 60s-style rock—perfectly captured in their “Car Alarms” video—was a highlight, as was the eclectic crowd, which included the video’s own featured clown.
Ultimately, this California adventure was a huge success, adding four life birds to our state list: Little Blue Heron, Common Gallinule, Rock Wren, and Vermilion Flycatcher. It just goes to show that on any given trip, there is always something new to discover—whether you’re out on the trail or sitting at the dinner table.
Trip Summary:
Trip Totals: 113 species • 4 California life birds • 0 life birds
Next Up: Northeast Florida & Georgia – From desert peaks to the historic “Shrimp Capital of the World,” join us as we close out 2019 in Fernandina Beach.
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