Newsletter - December 2025
Wild Birds Unlimited - San Diego Upcoming Events:
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the world's longest-running community science wildlife survey, an annual event organized by the National Audubon Society where tens of thousands of volunteers across the Western Hemisphere count wild birds during the holiday season. Purpose The primary purpose of the CBC is conservation. The data collected by volunteers over the past century provides a vital, long-term snapshot of the health and status of bird populations, which researchers and conservation biologists use to study population trends, range shifts, and the effects of environmental changes like climate change and habitat loss. History The CBC began on Christmas Day in 1900 as an alternative to the "Christmas Side Hunt," a holiday tradition where teams competed to shoot the largest pile of birds and wildlife. Ornithologist Frank M. Chapman proposed a "Christmas Bird Census" that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. This conservation-minded approach caught on and grew into the large-scale event it is today.
How It Works
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When: Counts are held annually between December 14 and January 5.
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Where: Each individual count takes place within a specific, established 15-mile diameter circle. There are over 2,600 such circles worldwide.
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Who: Anyone can participate, from expert ornithologists to beginning birders. Less experienced participants are typically paired with expert teams.
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How: Volunteers either join a field team following specific routes within the circle or count birds from their own homes if they live within a count circle (known as "feeder watchers"). All participants count every bird they see or hear throughout a single 24-hour count day.
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Buena Vista Audubon Society:
San Diego Bird Alliance:
Palomar Audubon Society:
- Hawk Watch – Every Saturday in January and February
Suggested arrival 9:30 AM, starts at 10:00 AM (rain or shine) - 18528 Highland Valley Rd. Ramona, CA 92065
Hawk Watch is an informative educational Biologists Talk and Q&A with falconry or ambassador raptors for you to see up close and personal! Details Here As Wild Birds Unlimited will be at Hawk Watch each Saturday, no in-store events will take place in January or February. If you attend, be sure to stop by our booth and say hello!
- San Diego Bird Festival – February 25 to March 1, 2025
The San Diego Bird Festival is an annual five-day event celebrating the wild birds and diverse habitats of San Diego County. The festival supports the mission of the San Diego Bird Alliance and includes over 145 activities such as expert-led field trips, lectures, and workshops. Details Here Wild Birds Unlimited will be a sponsor at the SDBF, so please stop by our booth if you are at the Festival!
Spotlight:
Reflections on 2025 from Your WBU San Diego Team
The white-crowned sparrows are singing from the hedges and the yellow-rumped warblers are flitting through the trees which tells us it’s time to pull out the decorations and get ready for the holidays!
Thanks to the continued loyalty and support of our amazing customers, we've had another wonderful year helping bring the joy of birds to backyards across San Diego. From first-time visitors to longtime friends, it’s been a pleasure to share in your stories, your sightings, and your photos. Your enthusiasm fuels everything we do, and we are grateful every day to be part of this bird-loving community.
This year has also deepened our connection to the broader conservation world here in San Diego. We’re proud to have continued—and increased—our support for Hawk Watch, the San Diego Bird Festival, and Birdathon. We also officially joined the ReWild Mission Bay Coalition in 2025 and are thrilled to help amplify their mission of restoring native wetlands and protecting critical bird habitat in Mission Bay. We feel incredibly fortunate to use our store’s platform to spotlight these efforts and to connect so many passionate nature lovers with the organizations doing meaningful work right here in our community.
Of course, the year hasn’t been without its challenges. Several of our key vendors raised prices due to ongoing tariff impacts, and Nyjer seed in particular has been hard hit. Since Nyjer is only grown in regions currently experiencing significant instability—including war, civil unrest, and piracy—availability has tightened and prices have climbed. Still, we’ve worked hard to absorb those increased costs and, just like last year, we’ve been able to keep our prices steady throughout 2025. We’re also continuing to explore U.S.-based sourcing options wherever possible to maintain quality and value in the months ahead.
As we look to the new year, we feel hopeful and grateful—hopeful for continued progress in our communities and environment, and grateful for the simple, everyday joy of birdwatching. May your holidays be filled with peace, wonder, and the cheerful presence of feathered friends right outside your window.
Warm regards and happy birding,
-Dan Payne
Owner-Operator
Wild Birds Unlimited San Diego
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Bird of the Month: Wood Duck
  Male (drake) Wood Duck, Santee Lakes, Santee (top)
Female (hen) Wood Duck and her ducklings, Santee Lakes, Santee (bottom)Fun Facts about the Wood Duck:
Southern California’s Most Stylish Waterfowl
Appearance & Identity
- Nature’s fashion duck: The male Wood Duck is dressed in iridescent emerald-green, purple, and chestnut plumage, with striking white patterns. The female is more understated but still elegant, with soft gray-brown plumage and a distinctive white eye-patch around her eye.
- Color change season: After breeding season, males molt into a duller “eclipse” plumage that's more muted — but their red eyes and basic shape still betray who they are.
- Fashion forward name: The scientific name Aix sponsa loosely translates to “bridal duck,” referencing the male’s exquisite, bride-like plumage.
- Crest and claws: Unlike most ducks, Wood Ducks have a slight crest on their heads. Even more unusual, their webbed feet are tipped with sharp claws, giving them a surprising ability to perch on branches.
- Built for the woods: Their bodies are designed for agility — broad wings, a long tail, and large eyes help them navigate dense trees and shaded swampy habitats.
- Vision: Wood Ducks see a broader spectrum of color than humans—including ultraviolet. This expanded vision helps them choose mates, locate food, and identify safe nesting sites.
Behavior & Personality
- Watchful and alert: They often choose perches in willows, sycamores, and cottonwoods where they can observe their surroundings from above.
- Quiet grace: they slip in and out of creek corridors and wooded ponds. They often appear unexpectedly, making them a delightful surprise for birdwatchers.
- Fast and direct: they can change direction quickly—an impressive ability that helps them avoid predators and dart safely through wooded environments.
Habitat, Family Life & Reproduction
- Tree lovers: Wood Ducks typically live in wooded swamps, forested ponds, and slow-moving creeks. They prefer wetlands surrounded by trees, often nesting in cavities high above the water.
- Tree-top magic: Wood Ducks nest in cavities above the ground (as high as 65 feet)—in old woodpecker excavations or naturally hollowed trees. They rarely nest on the ground, setting them apart from most duck species. They also use well-placed nest boxes, as can be seen in several locations at Santee Lakes. Nest boxes have played an important role in their conservation success across North America.
- Daring ducklings: Ducklings perform one of the world’s most remarkable early-life feats. Only one day after hatching, they leap from the nest cavity, which may be 10 to 65 feet high. Their fluffy down helps cushion the fall.
- Egg dumping: A typical nest holds 6 to 15 eggs, but Wood Ducks sometimes lay eggs in the nests of other Wood Ducks. This “brood parasitism” can lead to nests containing 30 or more eggs.
- Parental responsibilities: Female Wood Ducks handle all nesting duties. They incubate the eggs, guide the ducklings to water after the leap, and teach them where to find food and how to stay safe.
- Double broods: In warmer climates like Southern California, Wood Ducks can raise two broods in a year, giving local populations a strong foundation; this is relatively rare among ducks.
What They Eat
- Omnivores with variety: Wood Ducks eat a mix of aquatic plants, grasses, duckweed, seeds, berries, insects such as beetles, caterpillars, snails and spiders, crustaceans, and even small amphibians. These protein-rich foods are especially important for growing ducklings.
- Acorn aficionados: In the fall and winter, Wood Ducks gorge on acorns, thanks to their ability to swallow many at once and store them in their expandable esophagus.
- Seasonal diet shift: During warmer months, they favor aquatic plants like duckweed, smartweed, and other pond vegetation. Insects are especially important for ducklings, who need protein to grow.
- Adaptable: Their ability to forage both on land and in shallow water allows them to thrive in diverse habitats, from riparian forests to suburban ponds. Because they eat a wide range of foods, Wood Ducks can adapt well to changing environments and shifting seasonal conditions.
Vocalizations
- Mother’s call: Right after their leap, the ducklings are guided by their mother’s calls as she waits below, helping them reach the water safely.
- Distinct calls: Rather than typical duck quacks, Wood Ducks have a variety of whistles and squeals. Males often make a soft, high-pitched “jeeee” whistle, while females emit a louder “oo-eek” squeal. These vocalizations are often heard long before the birds are spotted.
- Alarm sounds: Their calls can shift to sharper, more urgent notes when warning of danger or communicating with ducklings.
When and Where to See Wood Ducks in San Diego
- Some Wood Ducks are permanent residents in mild climates such as San Diego, while others — especially northern populations — migrate seasonally.
- You’ll have the best chance of spotting them in the early morning, when their colors glow against the cool light and the water is mirror-still.
- Look for them near quiet, sheltered waters bordered by trees—especially where there are overhanging branches and dense vegetation.
- Santee Lakes– One of the best places for year-round sightings
- Lake Murray
- Mission Trails Regional Park
- San Diego River (from Mission Valley through Mission Gorge)
- Sweetwater River and Reservoir
- Los Peñasquitos Creek and Lagoon
- Lindo Lake
Why We Love Wood Ducks
The Wood Duck isn’t just a beautiful bird — it’s a symbol of resilience, adaptation, and natural elegance. From its tree-nesting ways to its graceful ducklings leaping into the wild, this species reminds us of the magic that thrives in woodland wetlands.
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What’s happening in San Diego:
Please note: This information is compiled by hand and mistakes or changes are possible. Please be sure to confirm dates/times/locations on the pages linked before leaving for an event.
San Diego Bird Alliance (formerly San Diego Audubon Society)
- King Tides at Famosa Slough
- Date: December 4, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: 2551-2599 Famosa Blvd, San Diego
- Event Link
- Bird Photography for Beginners
- Date: December 4, 6 and 21, 2025 and January 3, 2026
- Time: Varies - see Link
- Location: Varies - see Link
- Event Link
- 1st Binational Wandering the King Tides USA/MX
- Date: December 5, 2025
- Time: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Locations: (simultaneously)Kendall-Frost Marsh (USA) and Estero de Punta Banda (Mexico)
- Event Link
- Bird Outings: Lakeside Riverpark
- Date: December 6, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Location: Lakeside Riverpark Conservancy Field Station, 12108 Industry Road, Lakeside
- Event Link
- BIPIC Birding Outing: Lake Hodges
- Date: December 6, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Lake Hodges, 20154 Lake Dr., Escondido
- Event Link
- Anstine Preserve Projects
- Date: December 6, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve, 2437 Hutchison St. Vista, CA 92084
- Event Link
- We Out Here x SDBA Hike: Par 4 Trail
- Date: December 7, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: See Link
- Event Link
- Queer Hike: Mother Miguel Trail
- Date: December 12, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Mother Miguel Trail, Chula Vista
- Event Link
- Famosa Slough Habitat Restoration and Maintenance
- Date: December 12, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: West Point Loma Blvd, San Diego
- Event Link
- Monthly Morning Chorus
- Date: December 13, 2025
- Time: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: Anstine Audubon Preserve, 2437 Hutchison St., Vista
- Event Link
- Wander the Wetlands: Bird Outing
- Date: December 13, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Crown Point Dr, San Diego
- Event Link
- Rose Creek Habitat Restoration
- Date: December 19, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Rose Creek Cottage 1900, 2525 Garnet Ave, San Diego
- Event Link
- 2025 Christmas Bird Count
- Date: December 20, 2025
- Time: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Location: Various Locations
- Event Link
- Bird Photography Club: Photo Stroll at Kendall-Frost Marsh
- Date: December 20, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: Kendall-Frist Marsh, San Diego
- Event Link
- Bird Outings: Famosa Slough
- Date: December 20, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: 4285 W. Pt. Loma Blvd, San Diego
- Event Link
- Bird Outing with Friends of Rose Creek
- Date: December 20, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM
- Location: Mission Bay High School, 2475 Grand Avenue, San Diego
- Event Link
- Crosby Open Space Hike
- Date: December 21, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Next to the Paradise Produce Market, 8173 Del Dios Road, San Diego,
- Event Link
- Wander the Wetlands: Work Party
- Date: December 27, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: 2055 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego
- Event Link
Palomar Audubon Society
- Borrego Springs Field Trip
- Date: December 6, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Christmas Circle Community Park 700 Christmas Circle Dr., Borrego Springs
- Event Link
- Lake Wolford Field Trip
- Date: December 13, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Lake Wolford, Valley Center
- Event Link
- San Elijo Lagoon Field Trip
- Date: December 20, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: 1705 N Rios Ave, Solana Beach
- Event Link
- 2025 Escondido Christmas Bird Count
- Date: December 27, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- Location: Various Locations
- Event Link
Buena Vista Audubon Society
- Rancho Carrillo Trail (Carlsbad)
- Date: December 5, 2025
- Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
- Location: Rancho Carrillo Trail, Carlsbad
- Event Link
- Open House at the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center
- Date: December 8, 2025
- Time: 5:15 AM – 7:30 PM
- Location: 2202 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside
- Event Link
- El Corazon Garrison Creek (Oceanside)
- Date: December 10, 2025
- Time: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Location: El Corazon Park, 3210 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside
- Event Link
- 126th Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
- Date: December 14, 2025
- Time: 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Various Locations
- Event Link
- Coastal 101 Birding (Oceanside)
- Date: December 14, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
- Location: Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
San Diego Botanical Gardens
- Bird Walk
- Date: December 10, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM
- Location: San Diego Botanical Gardens, 300 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas
- Event Link
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
- Creekside Critters with Free Flight
- Date: December 6, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Del Mar Branch Library, 1309 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
- Event Link
- Yoga at the Birdwing
- Dates: December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 and 28, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: Birdwing Open Air Classroom, 15737 San Andres Dr, Del Mar
- Event Link
- Yoga at the Birdwing
- Dates: December 13 and 27, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Birdwing Open Air Classroom, 15737 San Andres Dr, Del Mar
- Event Link
San Elijo Lagoon Nature Collective
- Discovery Tour
- Date: December 6, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon, Nature Center Loop Trail, 2710 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- Event Link
- Family Fun Day
- Date: December 7, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon, Nature Center Loop Trail, 2710 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- Event Link
- Wildlife Tour
- Date: December 13, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon (location will be emailed)
- Event Link
- Volunteer Restoration Event
- Date: December 20, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Will be shared before the event
- Event Link
Living Coast Discovery Center
- Bilingual Sweetwater Safari Hike
- Date: December 6, 2025
- Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista
- Event Link
- Sweetwater Safari Hike
Tijuana Estuary
- Nature Walk: An Eye-Opening Experience Without Sight
- Date: December 6, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Bird Walk
- Dates: December 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Walk
- Date: December 13, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: 5th Street & Iris Avenue, 5th St & Iris Ave, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Book Club
- Date: December 27, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Walk
- Dates: December 27, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
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