2013-01-31 Imperial Beach Hot Spots

South of San Diego Bay and north of the Tijuana River and the border with Mexico, lies the town of Imperial Beach. Both the bay and the river valley are productive bird finding areas.

I started my day along the mudflats at the south end of the bay. The location is known locally as “7th Street”. I like this location because there’s a channel for the tidal ebbs and flows running next to a bike path. Beyond the channel is a restored wetlands stretching several hundred yards bordering the bay. Between the bike path and the channel are several observation points with benches where one can sit quietly and enjoy the serenity the scene provides. The morning light there is ideal for capturing images. Birds will parade past either on the wing or on the water, providing ample opportunities to capture images.

I spent most of my time at 7th Street, but I paid a brief visit to the headquarters of what is now called the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. I like to stop by when I can and visit with my friend Brian who’s USFWS office is in the building. The nearby Tijuana Slough is another great location to meet birds. Extensive trails provide access to grasslands and waterways weaving through the region.

Birds I met this trip were Bufflehead, Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, Northern Shoveler, Ring-Billed Gull, Snowy Egret, Dunlin, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Great Blue Heron.