Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The California quail was designated the state bird of California in 1931. getty Southern California has become one of North America’s most lauded tourist destinations thanks to vibrant cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, but it’s not just humans that can be found exploring the region. Birds abound all throughout the southern reaches of the Golden State, with a diverse array of passerines, shorebirds and raptors all found thriving from the shores of the Pacific to the Arizona border.
As you plan your next all-out road trip along I-5, be sure to save some room on the itinerary for these can’t-miss ecotourism hotspots. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve The lazuli bunting is able to breed with its close relative the indigo bunting. getty Measuring in at 130 square kilometers, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve draws wildlife in droves thanks to its verdant marshes and lush riparian habitat, with no shortage of fascinating fauna to encounter during a visit.
While insects, reptiles and mammals abound, there are more two hundred different bird species that have been recorded across the area, with some particularly eye-catching specimens spanning from the vermilion flycatcher to the northern flicker to the lazuli bunting. During a stroll along the Marsh Trail, guests can discover a wealth of colorful hummingbirds flitting from plant to plant, while raptors like the red-shouldered hawk can be found soaring high in the sky as they search for their next meal. Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve The California thrasher can only be found in California and Baja California.
getty Los Angeles certainly qualifies as an urban jungle, but this sprawling city is also home to a few pockets of wilderness that harbor all sorts of native birdlife—and for any birders hoping to catch a glimpse of some native fauna, Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve is the perfect spot. Located in the southern reaches of the San Fernando Valley, this lush expanse of land offers a tiny glimpse into how the region would have looked eons ago, with waders like the greater yellowlegs and black-crowned night heron living as they would have centuries ago. In addition to these species, the park is also a top spot for finding native Golden State passerines, with blue grosbeaks, spotted towhee and California thrasher all calling the basin home.
MORE FOR YOU New Password Hacking Warning For Gmail, Facebook And Amazon Users Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Leads Trump In Latest Post-DNC Surveys Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Wednesday, August 28th Andrée Clark Bird Refuge Black skimmers prefer to lie flat on the ground as they sleep (pictured above). getty While Santa Barbara draws visitors thanks to its scenic beaches and restaurant-clad State Street, this seaside city also doubles as a top-tier birdwatching destination thanks to sites like Andrée Clark Bird Refuge .
This scenic saltwater marsh is packed full of waterfowl—northern pintail and green-winged teal are two species that might make an appearance during a visit—but visiting birders can find a particularly fascinating species in the form of the black skimmer. Spanning from New England down to Patagonia, these widespread seabirds are renowned for their specialized beaks, and can be found surging along the surface of the water to catch prey within their lower mandible. function loadConnatixScript(document) { if (!window.
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getty San Diego County is equipped with a gorgeous coastline, but those willing to venture east will be richly rewarded with Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve , a roughly 4.5-hectare park located in close proximity to Vista. In spite of its small size, there’s a surprisingly diverse array of habitats to explore during a visit, with oak woodlands, sage scrub and riparian forest all serving as a crucial haven for native California avifauna.
Upon arrival, birders can stroll beneath the tall trees and catch a glimpse of Cassin's kingbirds and white-breasted nuthatches flitting along the branches, while the nearby pond is a paradise for water-loving creatures like the Virginia rail and belted kingfisher. Salton Sea White pelicans develop a large bump on the top of their beaks during mating season. getty The arid eastern reaches of Southern California aren’t particularly hospitable for most forms of life, but fortunately, the Salton Sea is in place to provide some much-needed relief for visiting avifauna.
For eons, this water feature has drawn huge crowds of migratory birds, and in spite of its current ecological issues, it still serves as one of the region’s top destinations for spotting rare species in transit. Both brown and white pelicans can be seen in abundance during the winter months, while the long-billed curlew is one of several shorebirds that populate the lake as well. Meanwhile, summer visitors should keep their eyes peeled for visiting wood storks, a large wader that’s renowned for its bald, wrinkled head.
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