Birds to know in San Diego: San Elijo Lagoon

This is the second post in a monthly series that depicts over 50 common birds in San Diego County. In the first post we discussed some common backyard birds. Now we head to San Elijo Lagoon at Encinitas on the North County coast.

High tide at San Elijo Lagoon, California.

As a salt water lagoon, San Elijo Lagoon fills with ocean water at high tide. At low tide it drains out again. This type of habitat is very rare in California--indeed the world--as these marshes are often drained for the development of this high-priced real estate. Thus, many of the plants and animals living here are endangered. The lagoons are valuable real estate for wildlife habitat, too. But the plants and animals are often out-bid by the people. San Elijo Lagoon is thus a very rare and precious gem.

Here is my birding site guide to San Elijo Lagoon.

Many of the most obvious birds in the marsh have long legs for wading in the water and long bills for probing in the mud.

Marbled Godwit. San Elijo Lagoon, California. March 8, 2008. Greg Gillson.

Marbled Godwit
This large salmon-colored shorebird with the "too long" upturned bill breeds in the northern Great Plains and winters coastally. However, a number of non-breeding birds also summer on the California coast. Thus, Marbled Godwits can be found here throughout the year, though they are most common fall through spring. They prefer salt water, so they are found primarily either on the beach or in the lagoons. Similar San Diego birds: Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, Willet, perhaps the much smaller Long-billed Dowitcher and Short-billed Dowitcher.

Ridgway's Rail. Imperial Beach, California. March 2, 2014. Greg Gillson.

Ridgway's Rail
Formerly considered the western subspecies of Clapper Rail, this critically endangered bird is as rare as the saltwater marsh habitat it lives in. Fortunately, where the habitat has been restored these birds are making a strong comeback from the low point in the 1980's. Ridgway's Rails were only re-established in San Elijo Lagoon since 1982. They built to 8 pairs in 1997 but dropped again to only 1 pair in 2000-2001 (San Diego County Bird Atlas. Philip Unitt. 2004.). Rails are secretive marsh dwellers that are usually hard to actually see. But at lower tides birds may be observed crossing shallow channels or foraging for snails at the edge of the cordgrass. Sometimes, if one calls, all the birds erupt in calls throughout the marsh. A dozen birds or more may be heard or glimpsed now in San Elijo Lagoon, especially August through November. Similar San Diego birds: Virginia Rail, Sora, Least Bittern.

Black-necked Stilt. Imperial Beach, California. July 4, 2014. Greg Gillson.

Black-necked Stilt
This black and white wader is graceful and elegant despite the almost impossibly long and shockingly bright coral pink legs. They nest at San Elijo Lagoon and numbers can reach over 100, but they don't usually flock together. They are only slightly less common in winter. They use injury-feigning and distraction displays to lead predators away from the ground-nests and chicks. Similar San Diego birds: American Avocet.

American Avocet. Oceanside, California. May 24, 2015. Greg Gillson.

American Avocet
The stately avocets are often found with Black-necked Stilts year-round in sandy lagoons and shallow wetlands. This species has very long bluish legs and a thin upturned bill. In spring the head and neck sports a soft cinnamon-brown wash that disappears in winter. Semi-colonial; large numbers may flock together in any season. This rather large shorebird defends it nest and territory by screaming and strafing--flying straight at intruders (including people) who have ventured too close. Similar San Diego birds: Black-necked Stilt.

Cinnamon Teal. Chula Vista, California. December 31, 2015. Greg Gillson.

Cinnamon Teal
This tiny little duck with the big bill is regular, but not overly numerous, in quiet, shallow, marshes choked with floating vegetation. It is found year-round in California, but harder to find in summer and early winter. An early migrant; by mid-January the spring migration is noticeable. Similar San Diego birds: The camouflage-patterned females of Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teal are very similar.

Willet. San Elijo Lagoon, California. August 3, 2014. Greg Gillson.

Willet. San Elijo Lagoon, California. December 15, 2013. Greg Gillson.

Willet
This larger shorebird is overall a rather non-descript gray throughout most of the year. In spring, it features a few browner spots and streaks. But when it flies it exposes its striking black-and-white wing pattern. They don't breed here, but a few non-breeding individuals may be found in summer, especially on the open beaches. But it is hard to tell a migrant from a summering bird, as spring migration continues through May and fall migration may begin by late June. Named for it's piercing and loud "Willet!" or "Pill-Will-Willet!" it is often first noticed by its call. Similar San Diego birds: None, really, but perhaps Whimbrel, Red Knot, Black-bellied Plover (bold wing stripe).


Birds to know in San Diego: introduction

Next: Birds to know in San Diego: Anza-Borrego Desert