Where to shoot birds in/around San Diego?

[Laramie]

My buddy just got a new XSi so I want to take him shooting. I want to try and find some birds in San Diego but not really sure where to go, it's not my town.

I know there are some at "the" beach, but I don't know which beach is best, etc etc.

Any help appreciated!

[mikeivan]

Probably more than you want to know here:
http://www.sandiegoaudubon.org/sdmap.htm

[Laramie]

Great thanks!

[Here and There]

I can vouch for the South Bay area (#21 on the map) as being a great birding site. Aside from the birds listed on the website I've seen Snowy Egrets, Great White Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, a Little Blue Heron, American White Pelicans, Western Grebes, an American Kestrel, Savannah Sparrows, White Crowned Sparrows, Black Phoebes, and Anna's Hummingbirds.

Also, here's a link to a map of the Tijuana Estuary http://trnerr.org/map.html (good place for birding as well). If you follow Seacoast Drive all the way down to the end by where the North Beach Trail starts, there are apartment buildings and a large wooden deck to view the estuary. Park there and head for the North Beach Trail...which isn't really a trail, it's part of the beach, but this area is like a highway for Brown Pelicans and various sea gulls. It's a great spot to practice birds in flight shots.

[Laramie]

Much appreciated!

I can vouch for the South Bay area (#21 on the map) as being a great birding site. Aside from the birds listed on the website I've seen Snowy Egrets, Great White Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, a Little Blue Heron, American White Pelicans, Western Grebes, an American Kestrel, Savannah Sparrows, White Crowned Sparrows, Black Phoebes, and Anna's Hummingbirds.

Also, here's a link to a map of the Tijuana Estuary http://trnerr.org/map.html (good place for birding as well). If you follow Seacoast Drive all the way down to the end by where the North Beach Trail starts, there are apartment buildings and a large wooden deck to view the estuary. Park there and head for the North Beach Trail...which isn't really a trail, it's part of the beach, but this area is like a highway for Brown Pelicans and various sea gulls. It's a great spot to practice birds in flight shots.

[Methodical]

Just in case you are still looking when I visited San Diego, I went to Bosca Chica reserve just off of PCH. Lots of water birds. Also Central Park which is just down the road from Bosca Chica. I got some Blue birds, Red tail haw, black phoebes and ducks shots there.

[Hawkman]

Lake Hodges. You might still be able to catch western and clark grebes doing their mating dances. Also, San Elijo lagoon is good for stilts, avocets and the like as well as a variety of ducks, ibis and egrets

http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/75778766/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/75930643/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/75748885/original.jpg

[jgrussell]

Lake Hodges. You might still be able to catch western and clark grebes doing their mating dances. Also, San Elijo lagoon is good for stilts, avocets and the like as well as a variety of ducks, ibis and egretsWow, Gene, those shots are terrific!!!

[Laramie]

Agreed. #3 is especially fantastic.

[artyman]

Amazing shots, first class action.