BIRDS OF SAN ELIJO LAGOON A President’s Council Publication
A Winter Home for Many Shorebirds flock to San Elijo Lagoon during non- breeding season to take advantage of the mild climate and good foraging conditions. Western Sandpiper -- Photo by Chris Mayne
A Year-Round Home for Some
California Thrasher Bewick’s Wren Nuttall’s Woodpecker Photos by Scott Streit
A Sanctuary for Endangered Species More than 90% of the historic range of coastal salt marsh no longer exists in California. This affects many birds, including the Belding’s Savannah Sparrow. This endangered species thrives in the pickleweed that abounds in San Elijo Lagoon’s coastal salt marsh. Photo by Chris Mayne
Ridgway’s Rail (formerly Light-footed Clapper Rail) Photo by Scott Streit
California Gnatcatcher Photo by Thomas Blackman Snowy Plover Photo by G. Tepke Least Tern Photo by C. Mayne
A Repository of Rare Birds The Yellow-green Vireo seldom strays north into California from its Central American breeding grounds. Photo taken at San Elijo Lagoon on July 23,2009 by Trent Stanley
The Prothonotary Warbler is an eastern species that rarely finds its way to San Diego County. This migrating bird was spotted and photographed in the large cottonwood tree next to the Nature Center parking lot on October 31, Photo by Eric Kallen
Sandhill Crane Photo by Chris Mayne
A Nursery for Breeding Birds Black-necked Stilt and Chicks --Photos by Chris Mayne
American Avocet in Breeding Plumage Photo by Chris Mayne American Avocet in Winter
Song Sparrow Photo by Scott Streit Song Sparrow Nest with Cowbird Eggs Brown-headed Cowbird (Male)
Bushtit Photo by Fritz Wihelm Bushtit Nest
Great Egret Photo by Mary Claypool
Great Blue Heron on Nest Photo by Larry Spann
Least Sandpipers Photo by Bernard Manchester A Shorebird Haven
Willet Photo by Chris Mayne
Long-billed Curlew Photo by Scott Streit
Whimbrel Photo by Chris Mayne
Marbled Godwit Photo by Chris Mayne
Greater Yellowlegs Long-billed Dowitchers
Semipalmated Plover --Photo by Chris Mayne Ruddy Turnstone Photo by Neal Solomon
Shorebirds on One Leg There’s nothing wrong Way to conserve body heat Will occasionally shift legs Will often hop on one leg to relocate a short distance Many shorebird species do this behavior Marbled Godwit (left) Willets
A Home for Waders Great Blue Heron Photo by Eric Kallen
Snowy Egret Photos by Chris Mayne
Black-crowned Night Heron – Photo by D. Aguilard Green Heron Photo by C. Mayne
Little Blue Heron Photo by B.J. Stanley
White-faced Ibis Photo by Eric Kallen
A Salt Water Marsh Common Moorhen Sora American Coot
A Former Duck Hunting Club
A Proud Home of Raptor Nation
Osprey and Crow Photo by Chris Mayne
A Site for Little Brown Jobs
And Our Urban Guerillas
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy hosts a Christmas Bird Count each December. But In November …
You’re On Your Own!
@SanElijo