January Birding in San Diego

Hermit Thrush Encinitas by Steve Brad

Winter during a predicted El Niño year—what impact will it have on our wintering bird populations? Birds hunker down and are difficult to find during the rain, but often get quite active as soon as the sun peeks through. Our regular winter stalwarts, yellow-rumped warblers and white-crowned sparrows, will be ever-present. Look for species like hermit thrushes, robins, mockingbirds, and waxwings in any bush sporting red berries. January is a good month to observe many species of wintering shorebirds and ducks at our coastal lagoons.