Newsletter - January 2026
Wild Birds Unlimited - San Diego Upcoming Events:
- 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, 2026
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!
Quote of the Month:
May my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living - E. E. Cummings
Spotlight:
The San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS-SD) — A Living Resource for People and Nature San Diego County is home to rich biodiversity — from coastal sage scrub to chaparral and oak woodlands — but these landscapes depend on native plants as their foundation. The San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS-SD) is at the forefront of efforts to celebrate, conserve, and restore these essential plants that, in turn, support birds, pollinators, and wildlife across our region. Their work helps transform yards into thriving habitat, neighborhoods into corridors of biodiversity, and communities into advocates for a greener future. A Mission Rooted in Conservation and Community CNPS-SD’s mission centers on conservation of native plants and their habitats in San Diego and Imperial counties through advocacy, education, and action. Their vision is aspirational and practical: they aim to increase public appreciation, integrate native plants into landscapes, and inform local decisions that protect biodiversity. It’s about building awareness and practical know-how so that people can make informed choices that benefit the environment. Native Garden Tour — April 2026 One of the chapter’s most inspiring community events is the San Diego Native Garden Tour, set for April 11–12, 2026. This tour opens private garden gates to showcase landscapes designed with predominantly California native plants — a living demonstration of what’s possible in San Diego gardens. From coastal bluff gardens to inland pollinator havens, the tour illustrates how native plants can:
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Support birds and pollinators year-round
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Save water in dry climates
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Reduce maintenance compared to traditional lawns
It’s a community celebration that educates and inspires, helping residents envision beautiful, wildlife-friendly outdoor spaces. Hands-On Conservation and Habitat Restoration Protecting wild plant communities goes beyond gardens. CNPS-SD partners with land managers and volunteers to restore natural habitats, removing invasive species and replanting natives to safeguard plant diversity and ecosystem health. These restoration projects help rebuild structural complexity that supports insects, small mammals, birds, and others in the food web. A great example of local conservation interest is the Miramar Vernal Pool Preserve — a rare wetland habitat that bursts to life seasonally with wildflowers and unique species, reminding us how precious and delicate native plant landscapes can be. Learn and Explore with Field Trips CNPS-SD’s field trips connect people with wild landscapes across the county, offering opportunities to:
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Identify native plant species in their natural habitats
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Learn ecosystem relationships
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Meet fellow plant enthusiasts
These outings make the diversity of San Diego’s flora come alive, whether you’re a novice or seasoned botanist. Native Gardening: From Backyard to Habitat Native gardening blends beauty with ecology. CNPS-SD provides accessible guidance on how to design and care for landscapes with native plants, from tiny balconies to large backyards. They cover everything from soil preparation to plant selection, helping gardeners make choices that work with San Diego’s climate. Understanding which plants thrive in your specific yard is critical — for that, tools like Calscape.org (provided by CNPS) help you find species suited to your microclimate, sun exposure, soil, and wildlife needs. It’s a powerful way to plan a garden that supports local pollinators and birds. Seeds, Propagation and Rare Plants Want to grow plants from scratch? CNPS-SD’s Seeds & Bulbs program offers seasonal opportunities to obtain native seeds — including some rare or harder-to-find species — to plant in your garden or grow for restoration. Their propagation efforts also help expand native stock locally, a key part of restoring resilience to natural and residential landscapes. Understanding and protecting rare native plants — those that face the highest risk of loss — is another CNPS priority, bringing awareness to species that need attention and conservation action. Education, Public Outreach & Events CNPS-SD’s commitment to education includes workshops, talks, outreach at community events, and partnerships that bring native plant knowledge to a wide audience. Their blog is full of stories, gardening tips, plant spotlights, and seasonal insights — a great way to stay connected and inspired throughout the year. Getting Involved: Members and Volunteers If you want to deepen your engagement or simply support native plant conservation, CNPS-SD offers ways to jump in:
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Become a Member – Members support core programs and receive updates and resources.
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Volunteer Your Time – Help with plant sales, restoration work, outreach, or garden tour events.
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Resources for San Diego Native Gardeners
If you’re ready to bring native plants into your outdoor space, here are some local nurseries and gardens where you can find plants, inspiration, and expert advice:
Native-Focused Nurseries
Other Nurseries & Plant Sources
Helpful Planning Tools
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Calscape.org – A plant-finding tool by CNPS to help you choose the right native plants for your exact part of San Diego.
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Why This Matters to Birds and Nature Native plants are more than beautiful ornamentals — they are ecological linchpins. They provide nectar for pollinators, seeds and insects for birds, cover for wildlife, and resilience in drought-prone climates. By planting natives, San Diegans help create living landscapes that benefit birds, wildlife, and the whole community. Whether you’re planting a modest patch of Cleveland sage or transforming your yard into a diverse native garden, you’re contributing to a healthier, more vibrant San Diego ecosystem.
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Bird of the Month: Scaly-breasted Munia
  Juvenile Scaley-breasted Munia, Scripps Ranch, San Diego (top)
Adult Scaly-breasted Munia, San Diego Zoo (visiting, not caged), San Diego (bottom)
Fun Facts about the Scaly-breasted Munia
Tiny finch with big personality (and striking patterns!)
Have you ever noticed a small, sparrow-sized bird with a bold, scalloped belly and a big, thick bill flitting through grassy areas or backyard shrubs? That striking little bird is the Scaly-breasted Munia (also known as the Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch) - a delightful and dynamic introduced species that adds movement, color, and song to local bird life wherever it’s found.
Appearance & Identification
- Size & shape: Scaly-breasted Munias are tiny songbirds, about 4–4.7 inches (11–12 cm) long — similar in size to a House Sparrow. They have a compact, finch-like body and a very thick, conical bill perfectly suited for cracking seeds.
- Plumage: Adult Scaly-breasted Munias have rich chocolate-brown upperparts and a head that blends into the back. Their most striking feature is the white underparts with dark, scale-like feather edges, giving them their name and a distinctive patterned look.
- Juveniles: Young birds are plainer — buff-brown above and lighter underneath without the bold scaling — but still recognizable by size and chunky beak.
- Bill & legs: The stout dark bill and blueish-grey legs are noticeable traits that lend them a stocky, animated appearance.
Range & Habitat
- Native home and Introduced range: The species Lonchura punctulata is native to India and Southeast Asia, but have been introduced to regions outside their native range, including Southern California, where small breeding populations have become established in suitable habitats.
- Preferred environments: They favor grasslands, fields, cultivated areas, roadside vegetation, parks, gardens, and golf courses — anywhere seeds are plentiful and low vegetation offers cover.
Behavior & Social Life
- Highly social: These munias are extremely gregarious birds. They often forage in small groups during breeding season. Outside of breeding season, these birds can form very large feeding flocks, moving through grasslands and open fields that provide abundant seeds.
- Flocking dynamics: Flocks may forage together on the ground, chatter while perched in trees near dusk, or roost communally before settling in for the night.
- Movement & flight: When flushed, a flock may burst into coordinated flight, their small bodies winging quickly through the grassland or suburban vegetation.
- Vocalizations: Their voices are soft but musical — gentle chirps, twitters, whistles, and contact calls that help flock members keep in touch as they move.
What They Eat
- Seed specialists: The Scaly-breasted Munia’s diet is dominated by grass seeds and small herb seeds, plucked either from seedheads or gathered on the ground.
- Role in gardens: In areas where they occur, Scaly-breasted Munias can be a delight at backyard feeders that supply small seeds; their social presence and steady calls add sound and motion to the landscape. They will eat hulled white millet, sunflower chips and Nyjer. Their stubby bills are better suited for crushing small grains rather than large, hard-shelled seeds like whole striped sunflower or peanuts.
- Agricultural feeding: In parts of their native range, they are known to feed on rice and other grains, sometimes being considered minor crop pests.
- Supplemental foods: They also eat berries and small insects, particularly during breeding season when protein demands are higher.
- Foraging style: Munias usually hop or walk on the ground among grassy vegetation, picking at seeds directly or hopping up to reach seedheads.
Nesting & Reproduction
- Nesting habits: Scaly-breasted Munias build large, domed nests made of grass stems and leaves, usually placed in trees, shrubs, or sometimes even under building eaves.
- Nest structure: Their nests often appear quite large and loosely assembled; some individuals keep adding blades of grass and heads, resulting in impressive structures that can be many times the bird’s size.
- Eggs & incubation: A typical clutch contains 3–6 white eggs. Both parents share incubation duties for about two weeks.
- Fledging: After hatching, chicks are fed by both parents and fledge in about 18–19 days, though young birds may remain with their parents for a period after leaving the nest.
Conservation & Status
- The Scaly-breasted Munia is classified as Least Concern globally due to its wide range, abundant numbers, and adaptability to a variety of grassland and open habitats.
- Populations in introduced regions, including Southern California, are stable and commonly seen when suitable habitat is available.
- Though non-native, these birds are not considered "invasive" in Southern California; their presence does not crowd out or threaten other species or habitats and they do no harm.
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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 Rose Creek
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Time: 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
- Location: Rose Creek Mike Gotch Bridge, 2600 N Mission Bay Dr. San Diego
- Event Link
- King Tide Hike at Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Anstine Preserve Projects
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Time: 9:15 AM
- Location: Anstine Nature Preserve, 2437 Hutchison St, Vista
- Event Link
- Bird Sit and Skate-birding
- Date: January 4, 2026
- Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Location: San Diego River Mouth
- Event Link
- Queer Birding: Harry Griffen Regional Park
- Date: January 8, 2026
- Time: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden St., La Mesa
- Event Link
- River Mouth Restoration
- Date: January 9, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Ocean Beach – Dog Beach, 5156 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego
- Event Link
- Monthly Morning Chorus
- Dates: January 10, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
- Location: Anstine Audubon Preserve, 2437 Hutchison St., Vista
- Event Link
- Bird Outing: San Diego River/Robb Field
- Date: January 10, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Location: San Diego River/Robb Field
- Event Link
- River Mouth Restoration Party
- Date: January 10, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Ocean Beach – Dog Beach, 5156 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego
- Event Link
- Wander the Wetlands: Fish Seining
- Date: January 10, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Crown Point Dr, San Diego
- Event Link
- Art and Wellness at Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary: Natural Dye Workshop
- Date: January 10, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- Location: 13003 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside
- Event Link
- Birding by Trolley (& bus!): Old Town to Radio Canyon
- Date: January 14, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Location: Old Town Transit Station, San Diego
- Event Link
- Rose Creek Habitat Restoration
- Date: January 16, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Rose Creek Cottage 1900, 2525 Garnet Ave, San Diego
- Event Link
- Bird Photography Club: Photo Stroll at Santee Lakes
- Date: January 17, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: Santee Lakes, Santee
- Event Link
- Birding Outing: Famosa Slough
- Date: January 17, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: 4285 W. Pt. Loma Blvd., San Diego
- Event Link
- California Least Tern Habitat Restoration
- Date: January 17, 2026
- Time: 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
- Location: North Fiesta Island Nesting Preserve, Mission Bay
- Event Link
- South San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge and the SoSal Salt Works
- Date: January 18, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: South Bay Salt Works
- Event Link
- Famosa Slough Habitat Restoration and Maintenance
- Date: January 23, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Famosa Slough, 2551-2599 Famosa Blvd, San Diego
- Event Link
Palomar Audubon Society
- Lindo Lakes Field Trip
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: 12637 Lindo Lane, Lakeside
- Event Link
- Morro Bay Birding Adventure
- Dates: January 8-11, 2026
- Time: Jan 8 at 8:00 AM to Jan 11 at 5:00 PM
- Location: See link
- Event Link
- Tijuana Estuary
- Date: January 10, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Dixon Lake
- Date: January 17, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Dixon Lake, 2256 La Honda Dr, Escondido
- Event Link
- Batiquitos Lagoon
- Date: January 24, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: Batiquitos Lagoon, 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad
- Event Link
- San Elijo Lagoon Field Trip
- Date: January 31, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon, 1705 N Rios Ave, Solana Beach
- Event Link
Buena Vista Audubon Society
- Rancho Carrillo Trail (Carlsbad)
- Date: January 2, 2026
- Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
- Location: Rancho Carrillo Trail, Carlsbad
- Event Link
- Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary Walk
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Time: 7:45 AM – 9:00 AM
- Location: Whelan Lake, 3850 North River Road, Oceanside
- Event Link
- Kids’ Nature Clubhouse and Trail Exploration
- Date: January 11, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
- Nature Journaling
- Date: January 11, 2026
- Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Location: Buena Vista Park, 1601 Shadowridge Drive., Vista
- Event Link
- El Corazon Garrison Creek
- Date: January 14, 2026
- Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
- Location: El Corazon Garrison Creek, Oceanside
- Event Link
- Birding with Barbara
- Date: January 17, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
- Location: Capistrano Park, 770 Capistrano Park, Oceanside
- Event Link
- Salton Sea Birding Trip
- Date: January 18, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Unit 1 of Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge on Vendel Rd, Brawley
- Event Link
- Cultivating a Deeper Relationship with Nature
- Date: January 21, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Location: Zoom
- Event Link
- Hawk Watch, A Documentary Film
- Date: January 24, 2026
- Time: 1:30 PM – 3:15 PM
- Location: Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
- Preschool Nature Storytime at the Nature Center
- Date: January 26, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
- Location: Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
- Coastal 101 Birding
- Date: January 31, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
San Diego Botanical Gardens
- Bird Walk
- Date: January 14, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM
- Location: San Diego Botanical Gardens, 300 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas
- Event Link
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
- Creekside Critters with Avian Behavior Conservancy
- Date: January 3, 2026
- 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: January 3, 4, 11, 17, 18 and 25, 2026
- 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: January 10 and 24, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Birdwing Open Air Classroom, 15737 San Andres Dr, Del Mar
- Event Link
- Gonzales Canyon Habitat Restoration
- Date: January 24, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: 13655 Sword Way, San Diego
- Event Link
- SDRVC Monthly Walk N Talk at Piedras Pintadas
- Date: January 30, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Piedras Pintadas Trailhead/Bernardo Bay Staging Area, 19140 W Bernardo Dr., San Diego
- Event Link
San Elijo Lagoon Nature Collective
- Discovery Tour
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon, Nature Center Loop Trail, 2710 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- Event Link
- Wildlife Tour
- Date: January 10, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon (location will be emailed)
- Event Link
- Volunteer Restoration Event
- Date: January 17, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Will be shared before the event
- Event Link
- Wings Over Wetlands Festival
- Date: January 24, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff-by-the-Se
- Event Link
Tijuana Estuary
- Nature Walk: An Eye-Opening Experience Without Sight
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Bird Walk
- Dates: January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2026
- Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Walk
- Date: January 10, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: 5th Street & Iris Avenue, 5th St & Iris Ave, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Book Club
- Date: January 24, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Walk
- Dates: January 24, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Park Champions: Habitat Planting and Weeding @ Tijuana Estuary
- Dates: January 31, 2026
- Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
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