2013-05-21 Laguna Mountain Birds

The locations I visited during this expedition were Agua Dulce Creek and the visitor center in the town of Mount Laguna.

The visitor center is often a good place to find birds attracted to the feeders here. I seem always to visit this place early in the morning. I don’t know what time they open, but I’ve yet to find any staff in attendance during my visits, and usually the feeders are low or empty. Nonetheless, the neighborhood birds tend to be optimistic and will stop by to investigate. Jays, juncos, finches and nuthatches are often among the hopeful birds found here.

By comparison, a tour of Agua Dulce Creek requires more effort to investigate. A short dirt road spur from the Sunrise Highway leads to a parking area where most folks will continue on foot. I use my bike to carry me and my camera gear into the wooded fields to meet the birds there. A destination called “the Pumphouse” is a half or ¾ of a mile away, depending on the trail you choose. Migrations often bring interesting birds through this area.

Birds I encountered this day were Purple Finch, Oak Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, Black-Headed Grosbeak, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Steller’s Jay, Olive-Sided Flycatcher, Acorn Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Dark-Eyed Junco, Mountain Chickadee.