Memories of the Bird and Butterfly Gardens

Black-Throated Magpie-Jay - Calocitta collieiThe Tijuana River Valley has its own special locations dear to bird lovers. The Bird and Butterfly Gardens is one such place. It’s easy to see why. The river-course on the north side of the park provides a rich riparian habitat and the plants, trees and flowers on the garden grounds provide plenty of feeding opportunities for travel-weary birds and butterflies to take advantage of. There are several drips stationed throughout the park that can be popular with warblers, finches and other thirsty birds.

A wide variety of warblers, flycatchers, vireos, and sparrows and other migrating or resident birds make regular or seasonal visits here. A colony of loud and boisterous Black-Throated Magpie-Jays will make several stops throughout the day as they make their rounds through the Tijuana River Valley. This is one of the few reliable places in San Diego County where Common Ground Doves hang out.

I regularly stop by when I’m touring the Tijuana River Valley. Border Field and Dairy Mart Ponds are nearby.

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