Costa's Hummingbird in Borrego Springs

The Costa's Hummingbird is the species that is most closely linked with the deserts of the American Southwest.

In San Diego County they breed throughout, but most abundantly in spring in the Anza-Borrego Desert and in summer in the white sage of the coastal slope. They follow flower blooming. That is seasonally and elevationally. They move into recently-burned areas as the flowers bloom, but are less common after a year or two as the brush grows up.

In wet winters they are more abundant in the desert as flowers bloom and they arrive before December, so "wintering" and spring breeding numbers are about the same. The Borrego Springs Christmas Bird Count often records the nation's highest numbers. On the coastal slope they are more numerous in winter in lower residential areas with ornamental plantings. (San Diego County Bird Atlas)

There is usually a pair at the ABDNHA Borrego Botanical Gardens (link). That's where I photographed this colorful male recently.

Costa's Hummingbird. Borrego Springs, California. November 22, 2018.

Greater Roadrunner in Borrego Springs

On November 22 Marlene and I took off for a day at Borrego Springs.

We enjoyed the drive up over the mountains past Lake Henshaw. Even in San Diego there's a bit of "fall color." The sycamore leaves turn yellow, then brown. Some ash trees in the stream beds provide some yellow-green. The live oaks are dark green. Many chaparral species have yellow stems. And the California buckwheat have rusty dried flower clumps.

It was a typical short-day trip for us: stopping first out in the desert at the waste water treatment facilities. Then we drove through the Borrego Springs and Club Circle resorts. We headed into town for a picnic brunch at the tiny little garden with the big name: Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association Borrego Botanical Garden (652 Palm Canyon Drive next to Carlee's restaurant). Web site here. Finally, we drove through the Roadruner Club and The Springs at Borrego RV Resort to see what birds were in the residential areas surrounding the golf courses.

We spotted this Greater Roadruner at the Club Circle Resort. The photos aren't that great, but it's always a fun bird to see.