Why does San Diego have so many birds?
San Diego County is known as a "biological hotspot" and this is due primarily to a combination of diverse climates, topography, soils, its position on the coast, and being part of a migration corridor. These factors result in a fantastically diverse biota. San Diego County has a Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by warm-to-hot and dry summers, and mild-to-cool, wet winters. As far as geography, it's a mix of coastal areas bordered by the Pacific Ocean, foothills, mountains, and desert. This results in many different habitats. For more information on this, see this article, "San Diego County as Habitat for Birds"
Birding Hotspots

North County, with all its lagoons, beaches, and varied coastal and inland habitats, has a lot to offer for birdwatching. Our "Birding Hotspots" brochure describes over a dozen locations for birding in North County
Some of our favorite North County birding locations are described below

Buena Vista Lagoon

Whelan Lake
NOTE: Please call the caretaker, Greg Kackstetter, to arrange times to visit Whelan Lake: (760) 722-4887

San Elijo Lagoon

Agua Hedionda Lagoon

Batiquitos Lagoon

Guajome County Park
To explore other areas besides North County, see San Diego Audubon's Map of birding locations: http://www.sandiegoaudubon.org/birding/cal-birding-sites
Want to Visit a Site with a Group?
We have lots of birding field trips around San Diego County! Please check out our Bird Walks & Field Trips page and Events Calendar page for more details.
Donations that make a difference!
Your donation will help us further our mission of providing nature-based education to local children, offering birding classes and other programs, protecting and restoring North County wildlife habitats, and more!
Our Mission
Conservation Through Education, Advocacy, Land Management, and Monitoring
Mailing Address
Buena Vista Audubon
PO Box 480
Oceanside, CA 92049
Nature Center
2202 S. Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054
760-439-BIRD
(760-439-2473)
Hours
Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10 am-1 pm
Wednesday 10 am-1 pm
Thursday 10 am-1 pm
Friday 10 am-1 pm
Saturday 10 am-1 pm