Newsletter - May 2026

San Diego Wild Birds Unlimited Events:
  • Team WBU Birdathon – April 10 - May 10
A Birdathon is like a walkathon, except instead of counting miles, you count birds! Teams and individuals pick a day to get outside in San Diego County and try to identify as many species as possible in 24 hours, while raising funds along the way.

This year we went out on April 11th and 12th to Robb Field, Steele Canyon Bridge, Santee Lakes, Los Peñasquitos Creek and even found a few additional bird species behind our store just before our 24-hour period was up.  We saw 101 different species and had a great time with teammates Erika and Christine.

Our purpose in participating is to raise funds for the San Diego Bird Alliance.  Please consider supporting our team in this event as every dollar goes to help our local birds.  You can help by contributing here.  Donations will be accepted through May 31.

 
  • Critter Encounters - May 9 at 11:00 AM
Join us in the store when our friend Andrea Burgan from Critter Encounters brings by some magnificent birds and maybe a surprise as well. Come early to get a seat (as it tends to be a packed house) for an amazing up-close experience!

  • Presentation “5 Steps to Backyard Bird Feeding Mastery” – June 20 at 11:00 AM
Are you new to feeding birds in your backyard? Maybe you’ve been feeding them for years but want to attract more or different birds? Come to the store on Saturday, 20 June at 11am for a presentation by store owner Dan Payne. He’ll share a step-by-step process you can use to evaluate your yard and make it your birds' “Happy Place.” Bring your questions, photos of your yard and feeders, and your stories and we’ll talk birds!
 

Quote of the Month:  

May is when the birds return not just to the land, but to the ear and the heart -  Anonymous
 

Spotlight: The California Condor - A Story of Survival, Science and Second Chances
 
Few wildlife stories are as dramatic - or as hopeful -as that of the California Condor. Once soaring across much of North America, this massive bird nearly vanished forever. Today, thanks to decades of effort, it is flying again over the landscapes of the American West.  For bird lovers, the condor represents something extraordinary: proof that even when a species is pushed to the brink, dedicated people working together can bring it back.

A Giant of the Skies - and a Vanishing Species

The California Condor is North America’s largest flying bird, with a wingspan approaching 10 feet. Long before modern development, condors ranged across much of the continent - from the Pacific Coast to the East Coast, but by the 20th century, their numbers had plummeted. Habitat loss, hunting, poisoning, and human disturbance all took a toll. By 1982, the situation had become dire - only 22 condors remained in the wild.

In 1987, faced with imminent extinction, biologists made a bold and controversial decision: capture every remaining wild condor and begin a full captive breeding program. At that moment, the California condor became extinct in the wild. It was a desperate move - but it saved the species.

The Turning Point: Captive Breeding and Reintroduction

The recovery effort centered on an unprecedented collaboration between government agencies, zoos, and conservation organizations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led the effort, working closely with partners like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the Los Angeles Zoo.

Breeding condors was not easy. These birds reproduce slowly - often laying just one egg every year or two - and do not reach breeding age until about six years old. To increase success, scientists developed innovative techniques:
  • Carefully removing eggs to encourage additional laying
  • Incubating eggs and raising chicks with condor-shaped puppets to prevent human imprinting
  • Monitoring genetics to maintain a healthy population
These efforts worked.  In 1992, the first captive-bred condors were released back into the wild - a milestone that marked the beginning of one of the most ambitious wildlife recoveries in history.

A Growing Population - But Still Not Safe

From just 27 birds in captivity in 1987, the population has grown steadily. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services count in December, 2025, the entire population stood at 607 birds. Of these, approximately 2/3 are flying free across California, Arizona, Utah, and Mexico.  

Release sites now include:
  • Central California (Big Sur and Pinnacles)
  • Southern California (Hopper Mountain area)
  • Arizona and the Grand Canyon region
  • Baja California, Mexico
  • Northern California (Redwood region, a recent expansion)
This expansion marks an incredible achievement - but the species is still classified as endangered and remains heavily managed.

A Team Effort: The Organizations Behind the Recovery

What makes the condor story truly unique is the scale of collaboration. No single organization could have saved this species alone.
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
The lead agency of the California Condor Recovery Program, coordinating research, releases, and long-term strategy. Their goal is to create self-sustaining wild populations across the condor’s historic range.
A key player with deep local ties, the San Diego Zoo has been central to captive breeding, research, and international coordination—especially with reintroduction efforts in Baja California.
Another major breeding center, helping increase the population through advanced husbandry techniques and chick-rearing innovations.
A nonprofit leading condor releases and monitoring along California’s Central Coast. They also conduct field research and public education programs.
Focused on reintroduction efforts in Arizona and Utah, helping establish condor populations in the Southwest.
Leading a powerful and culturally significant effort to return condors - known as prey-go-neesh - to their ancestral lands in Northern California.
  • State and Federal Agencies
Organizations such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and National Park Service collaborate with zoos on monitoring, habitat protection, and veterinary care.
  • Community & Volunteer Organizations
Groups like Friends of California Condors Wild and Free focus on outreach, education, and volunteer support - connecting the public to the recovery effort.

Ongoing Challenges: Why Condors Still Need Help
Despite the progress, condors face serious ongoing threats.
  • Lead Poisoning
The biggest threat today comes from ingesting lead fragments in animal carcasses. Birds must often be trapped and treated to survive.
  • Slow Reproduction
Condors reproduce very slowly, making population growth fragile.
  • Wildfires and Habitat Risks
Increasing wildfires and environmental changes threaten nesting areas and survival.
  • Human Impacts
Collisions, trash ingestion, and environmental contaminants continue to pose risks.  Because of these challenges, condors still rely heavily on human support.

What Conservationists Are Doing Today

Modern condor conservation is highly active and hands-on. Efforts include:
  • Captive breeding programs to maintain population growth
  • Careful releases of young birds into the wild
  • GPS tracking and monitoring of individual birds
  • Veterinary care and lead treatment
  • Supplemental feeding programs to provide safe food
  • Public education campaigns to reduce threats
The ultimate goal is to reach a point where condors no longer need this level of intervention - a truly self-sustaining population.

How People Can Help

The condor story is not just about scientists - it’s about all of us.
Here are ways individuals can support condor recovery:
  • Use non-lead ammunition when hunting to reduce poisoning risk
  • Support conservation organizations working on condor recovery
  • Visit and learn at parks and refuges where condors live
  • Volunteer with wildlife organizations and education programs
  • Spread awareness about the importance of scavengers in ecosystems
Condors play a critical ecological role as nature’s cleanup crew, helping prevent the spread of disease by consuming carrion.

The Best Places to See California Condors (Ranked)

1. Pinnacles National Park
  • Highest success rate in the U.S.
  • If you want the best odds anywhere, Pinnacles is the place. The reintroduced population here is well established, actively managed, and frequently visible.
2. Grand Canyon National Park
  • Best outside California
  • The Arizona/Utah population is strong and growing, and condors are regularly spotted along the canyon rim.
3. Big Sur Coast
  • Iconic coastal viewing
  • This is one of the original release sites and still a stronghold for condors.
4. Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge
  • Excellent—but limited access
  • A core Southern California release site with a strong condor presence.
5. Zion National Park
  • Growing Southwest population
  • Condors from the Arizona program frequently range into Zion.
6. Sespe Condor Sanctuary
  • Historic condor stronghold
  • One of the last places condors survived before extinction in the wild.
7. Redwood National and State Parks
  • Newest reintroduction site
  • Led by the Yurok Tribe, this is an exciting and culturally important restoration effort.
8. Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
  • Key recovery site (limited public viewing)
  • A major management and release area in Southern California.
When and How to Spot a Condor
Condors rely on thermals (rising warm air) to soar, so your best viewing times are:
  • Late morning through afternoon
  • Sunny days with some wind
Here’s what to look for:
  • Massive wingspan (nearly 10 feet)
  • Black body with white patches under the wings
  • Long, fingered wings held flat while soaring
  • Very little flapping—condors glide effortlessly
If you see a huge bird that seems almost too big to be real—you may have found one.

A Symbol of Hope in the Skies
The California Condor’s story is one of the greatest conservation success stories in the world—but it is not finished.

From just 22 birds to hundreds flying today, the condor’s return is a testament to what can happen when science, dedication, and collaboration come together.

For those of us in Southern California—home to one of the original recovery programs—this story is especially meaningful. It reminds us that even the largest, rarest birds still depend on the smallest everyday actions we take.

And if you’re lucky enough to see a condor soaring overhead, you’re witnessing something truly extraordinary: not just a bird, but a comeback.
 

Birds of the Month: Western Grebe and Clark's Grebe

Western Grebes, Escondido



Clark’s Grebe, Lake Hodges, San Diego

Fun Facts about the Western Grebe and Clark’s Grebe
Elegant water dancers with one of nature’s most spectacular courtship displays

Few birds capture grace and drama on the water quite like the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and the Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii). These sleek, long-necked waterbirds are famous for their synchronized courtship dances—running side-by-side across the water in a breathtaking display. Once considered a single species, they are now recognized as two closely related but distinct birds that often share the same lakes and coastal waters, including here in California.

Appearance & Identification
  • Western and Clark’s Grebes are large, slender waterbirds (about 22–30 inches long) with long necks, pointed bills, and striking black-and-white plumage.
  • Both species have bright red eyes, which stand out vividly against their contrasting head patterns.
  • Their bodies are streamlined for swimming, sitting low in the water with only the neck and head prominently visible.
  • They have lobed toes (rather than fully webbed feet), which act like paddles for efficient diving.
  • In flight, they show long wings and a stretched neck, but they must run along the water’s surface to take off due to their size.
Range, Habitat & California Presence
  • Both grebes breed primarily on large inland lakes and marshes across western North America.
  • In California, they are commonly found in large inland reservoirs and lakes, coastal lagoons and bays, and protected ocean waters during winter.
  • The best place to see them is at Lake Hodges, but they can also be found in other locations such as Buena Vista Lagoon, Mission Bay, Sweetwater Reservoir and San Diego Bay.
What They Eat
  • Western and Clark’s Grebes feed mainly on fish, which they catch by diving underwater.
  • They also consume aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally small amphibians.
  • These birds are excellent divers, using their feet to propel themselves beneath the surface in pursuit of prey.
  • They often forage alone or in loose groups, sometimes coordinating movements to herd fish.
Courtship & Sounds
  • Western and Clark’s Grebes perform one of the most elaborate and structured courtship sequences in North America, unfolding in three distinct phases that move from partner selection to bonding and finally nesting.
Phase 1: The Rushing Ceremony (Early Courtship)
  • Courtship begins with an advertising display, where a bird stretches forward and gives loud, rolling calls across the water to attract potential mates.
  • When two birds show interest, they engage in ratchet pointing, facing each other with lowered heads while giving a harsh, grating call and holding intense eye contact.
  • This leads into dip-shaking, where both birds dip their bills into the water and rapidly shake their heads side to side, often splashing water as they mirror each other’s movements.
  • The sequence builds to the famous rushing display, where the pair lunges forward, rises upright, and runs across the water side-by-side. Their feet strike the surface up to 20 times per second, allowing them to travel impressive distances in perfect synchronization.
  • The display ends abruptly with a synchronized dive, as both birds plunge head-first into the water, completing the first phase of courtship.
Phase 2: The Weed Ceremony (Pair Bonding)
  • Once a pair has formed, their displays become more coordinated and intimate. They begin with weed diving, where both birds dive together to retrieve aquatic vegetation from below.
  • They then perform the weed dance, surfacing breast-to-breast and rising partially out of the water while holding the vegetation in their bills. They sway together in a striking, almost choreographed motion that resembles a dance.
  • This is followed by bob-preening, where the birds drop the weeds and move into a mirrored sequence of head shaking and feather preening, reinforcing their pair bond and synchronization.
Phase 3: Nesting and Mating
  • As courtship progresses, the male begins mate feeding, bringing fish or other prey to the female for one to three weeks prior to nesting.
  • The pair then works together on nest building, constructing a floating platform of reeds and aquatic plants anchored to vegetation.
  • Once the nest is complete, copulation takes place on the floating platform, marking the transition from courtship to full breeding activity.
  • Typical clutches contain 3-4 eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties.
The Soundtrack of the Display
  • Throughout all phases, grebes communicate with loud, nasal calls, rattles, and duet-like vocalizations that carry across lakes and wetlands.
  • These calls help coordinate movements between partners, reinforce pair bonds, and signal activity to other grebes in the area.
Behavior & Personality
  • These grebes are highly aquatic, spending nearly all their time on the water and rarely coming onto land.
  • Their legs are positioned far back on their bodies, making them excellent swimmers but awkward walkers.
  • They are strong fliers but require a long “runway” on the water to take off.
  • Outside the breeding season, they may gather in large flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands along the coast.
  • They are alert and cautious, diving quickly when threatened.
Interesting & Unexpected Facts
  • Their courtship dance is so iconic that it has been featured in numerous wildlife documentaries and nature studies.  You can see a great short video here, and a longer video here.
  • Grebe chicks instinctively climb onto their parents’ backs shortly after hatching, a behavior that helps protect them from predators and cold water.
  • Because of their body structure, grebes are among the most specialized swimming birds in North America.
Key Differences: Western Grebe vs. Clark’s Grebe
  • Face pattern:
    • Western Grebe: Black extends below the eye, making the eye appear set in a darker face.
    • Clark’s Grebe: White surrounds the eye, giving it a brighter, more open facial expression.
  • Bill color:
    • Western Grebe: Greenish-yellow bill
    • Clark’s Grebe: Bright orange-yellow bill
  • Overall contrast:
    • Western Grebe: Slightly darker overall appearance
    • Clark’s Grebe: Cleaner, brighter white face and neck
  • Vocal differences:
    • Clark’s Grebe typically has higher-pitched calls, while Western Grebe calls are slightly lower and harsher.
  • Relative abundance:
    • Western Grebes are generally more common than Clark’s Grebes in most areas, including California.
Why We Love Grebes

Western and Clark’s Grebes bring elegance, movement, and drama to our waterways. Whether it’s their synchronized water dance, their devoted parenting, or their sleek diving skills, these birds are a reminder of the beauty and complexity of aquatic ecosystems.

If you’re near a lake or the coast, take a moment to scan the water - you might just witness one of nature’s most spectacular performances.

What’s happening in San Diego: 

Please note: This information is compiled by hand (not AI) and mistakes or changes are possible. Please be sure to confirm dates/times/locations on the pages linked before leaving for an event.

SoCal Bird Nerds

  • Monthly Bird Outing
    • Date: May 10, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    • Location: Pantoja Park, Downtown San Diego – meet by the statue of Benito Juárez at the front of the park on G street
    • Event Link

San Diego Bird Alliance (formerly San Diego Audubon Society)

  • River Mouth Restoration and BioBlitz
    • Date: May 1, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
    • Location: Ocean Beach – Dog Beach, 5156 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego  
    • Event Link
  •  Anstine Preserve Projects
    • Date: May 2, 2026
    • Time: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
    • Location: Anstine Nature Preserve, 2437 Hutchison St., Vista
    • Event Link
  •  Grunion Run
    • Date: May 3, 2026
    • Time: 10:00 PM to 11:55 PM
    • Location: Mission Beach, specific location provided to registrants just prior to the event
    • Event Link
  •  Crosby Open Space Sunset Hike
    • Date: May 5, 2026
    • Time: 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM
    • Location: Crosby Open Space, 8173 Del Dios Road, San Diego
    • Event Link
  •  Birdathon Outing:  Lake Murray
    • Date: May 7, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
    • Location: Lake Murray, Kiowa Drive, San Diego
    • Event Link
  •  Explore Nocturnal Pollinators at Anstine
    • Date: May 8, 2026
    • Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
    • Location: Anstine Nature Preserve, 2437 Hutchison St., Vista
    • Event Link
  • 9am World Migratory Bird Day Outing at Chollas Lake Park
    • Date: May 9, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
    • Location: Gloria’s Mesa Amphitheater, 6350 College Grove Drive, San Diego
    • Event Link
  • 10am World Migratory Bird Day Outing at Chollas Lake Park
    • Date: May 9, 2026
    • Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
    • Location: Gloria’s Mesa Amphitheater, 6350 College Grove Drive, San Diego
    • Event Link
  •  Wonder the Wetlands: Fish Seining and BioBlitz (Bilingual)
    • Date: May 9, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
    • Location: Crown Point Drive, San Diego
    • Event Link
  •  Emory Cove: BioBlitz & Restoration Event
    • Date: May 9, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: Emory Cove, off of the Bayshore Bikeway, Imperial Beach 
    • Event Link                
  • Rose Creek Habitat Restoration and BioBlitz
    • Date: May 15, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: Rose Creek Cottage 1900, 2525 Garnet Ave., San Diego 
    • Event Link                
  • Game Night: BYOG
    • Date: May 15, 2026
    • Time: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
    • Location: REI Community Room, 5556 Copley Dr., San Diego
    • Event Link
  • Bird Photography Club: Photo Stroll at Torrey Pines
    • Date: May 16, 2026
    • Time: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
    • Location: Torrey Pines Reserve Lodge & Visitor Center, 12600 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
    • Event Link
  • Natural Dye Workshop at Tecolote Nature Center
    • Dates: May 16, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: Tecolote Nature Center, 5180 Tecolote Road, San Diego 
    • Event Link                
  • Queer Hike: Old Town
    • Date: May 17, 2026
    • Time: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
    • Location: Old Town, San Diego – see link for specific location
    • Event Link
  • Birding Outing: Sunset Cliffs
    • Date: May 19, 2026
    • Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
    • Location: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Ladera Street, San Diego
    • Event Link
  • Famosa Slough Habitat Restoration and Maintenance and BioBlitz
    • Date: May 22, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: Famosa Slough, 2551-2599 Famosa Blvd, San Diego
    • Event Link
  • Birding Outing: Marian Bear Open Space with Anitra Kaye
    • Date: May 23, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
    • Location: Marian Bear Open Space, Regents Rd. East, San Diego
    • Event Link
  •  Bird Sit at the San Diego River Mouth
    • Date: May 23, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
    • Location: Quivira Way, San Diego – see link for specific location
    • Event Link
  • Wonder the Wetlands: Work Party and BioBlitz
    • Date: May 23, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
    • Location: Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve, 2055 Pacific Beach Drive, San Diego
    • Event Link
  •  Silverwood Bee-o-Blitz
    • Date: May 23, 2026
    • Time: 9:15 AM to 12:00 PM
    • Location: Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary, 13003 Wildcat Canyon Rd., Lakeside
    • Event Link
  • Black Birders Week 2026
    • Dates: May 24-30, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
    • Location: San Diego
    • Event Link    

Palomar Audubon Society

  • Birding Adventure: Eastern Sierra/Owens Valley
    • Date: May 1-5, 2026
    • Time: See Link
    • Location: See Link
    • Event Link
  • La Jolla Coastline Field Trip
    • Date: May 2, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    • Location: La Jolla Bridge Club, 1160 Coast Boulevard, La Jolla
    • Event Link
  • Dairy Mart Ponds and Bird & Butterfly Garden
    • Date: May 9, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    • Location: Dairymart Pond, 2564 Dairy Mart Rd, San Diego
    • Event Link

Buena Vista Audubon Society

  • Rancho Carrillo Trail (Carlsbad)
    • Date: May 1, 2026
    • Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
    • Location: Rancho Carrillo Trail, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  • Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary Walk
    • Date: May 2, 2026
    • Time: 7:45 AM – 9:00 AM
    • Location: Whelan Lake, 3850 North River Road, Oceanside
    • Event Link
  •  Fabric Art and Nature Art Sale
    • Date: May 3, 2026
    • Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    • Location: Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
    • Event Link
  •  El Corazon Garrison Creek
    • Date: May 13, 2026
    • Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
    • Location: El Corazon Garrison Creek, Oceanside
    • Event Link
  •   Endangered Species Day
    • Date: May 16, 2026
    • Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    • Location: Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
    • Event Link
  • Birding with Barbara
    • Date: May 16, 2026
    • Time: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
    • Location: Torrey Pines State Reserve – meet at the corner of Flintkote Ave and Estuary Way
    • Event Link
  • Nature Journaling
    • Date: May 17, 2026
    • Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
    • Location: Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
    • Event Link
  • Cold-Blooded City Slickers: How Reptiles Make it in our Concrete Jungles
    • Date: May 20, 2026
    • Time: 7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
    • Location:  Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
    • Event Link
  • Preschool Nature Storytime at the Nature Center
    • Date: May 25, 2026
    • Time: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
    • Location:  Buena Vista Nature Center,2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
    • Event Link
  • Coastal 101 Birding (Oceanside)
    • Date: May 30, 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: May 13, 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 Jeff Norland
    • Dates: May 2, 2026
    • Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: Del Mar Branch Library, 1309 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
    • Event Link
  • SDRVC Slow Flow Outdoor Yoga with Anna at the Birdwing
    • Date: May 9, 2026
    • Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    • Location: San Dieguito Lagoon Staging Area, 15648 San Andres Drive, Del Mar
    • Event Link
  • SDRVC Outdoor Yoga with Susan at the Birdwing
    • Dates: May 17, 2026
    • Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    • Location: San Dieguito Lagoon Staging Area, 15648 San Andres Drive, Del Mar
    • Event Link
  • SDRVC photography walk led by Photography Environmental Initiative Club
    • Dates: May 23, 2026
    • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    • Location: San Dieguito Lagoon Staging Area, 15648 San Andres Drive, Del Mar
    • Event Link
  • SDRVC Monthly Walk N Talk @ Santa Ysabel Nature Center
    • Dates: May 29, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: San Ysabel Nature Center, 22135 California 79, Santa Ysabel
    • Event Link
 San Elijo Lagoon Nature Collective
  • Discovery Tour
    • Date: May 2, 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: May 9, 2026
    • Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
    • Location: San Elijo Lagoon (location will be emailed)
    • Event Link
  •  Volunteer Restoration Event
    • Date: May 16, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: Will be shared before the event
    • Event Link
 Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
  • Lagoona Kahuna Family Clean Up
    • Date: May 2, 2026
    • Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: California Water Sports, 4215 Harrison St, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Trail Event – Location TBD
    • Date: May 22, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: TBD
    • Event Link
  • Mammal Mornings
    • Date: Every Monday
    • Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Marine Monday
    • Date: Every Monday
    • Time: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Terrif Bug Tuesday
    • Date: Every Tuesday
    • Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Succulent Session
    • Date: Every Tuesday
    • Time: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Microscope Mornings
    • Date: Every Wednesday
    • Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Chicken Check-In
    • Date: Every Wednesday
    • Time: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Tortoise Treks
    • Date: Every Thursday
    • Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Little Owl Thursday
    • Date: Every Thursday
    • Time: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Friday Fairy Fables
    • Date: Every Friday
    • Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link
  •  Falcon Feeding Friday
    • Date: Every Friday
    • Time: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    • Location: The Discovery Campus, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad
    • Event Link

Living Coast Discovery Center

Tijuana Estuary

  • Nature Walk:  An Eye-Opening Experience Without Sight
    • Date: May 2, 2026
    • Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
    • Event Link
  • Bird Walk
    • Dates: May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2026
    • Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
    • Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
    • Event Link
  •  Nature Walk
    • Date: May 9, 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: May 23, 2026
    • Time:  10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    • Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
    • Event Link
  • Nature Walk
    • Dates: May 23, 2026
    • Time:  11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
    • Event Link
 

Additional Resources:

San Diego Bird Alliance
Buena Vista Audubon Society
Palomar Audubon Society
San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers Hikes
San Diego Natural History Museum Nat Talks
San Diego Natural History Museum Community Science
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
San Dieguito Lagoon
San Elijo Lagoon
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Living Coast Discovery Center
California State Parks Foundation
San Diego County Parks and Recreation
California Native Plant Society San Diego Chapter
San Diego Canyonlands
Wildlife Research Organization
Ramona Barn Owls
Project Wildlife

 
 
 


Organizations we support:

San Diego Bird Alliance
Wildlife Research Organization
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Ramona Barn Owls
Project Wildlife