Southern California Birding Trip 2025

In a surprising turn, I found myself planning a return to California to redeem a rather disastrous expedition from 2006. On that first trip, we made countless rookie mistakes—we were ill-equipped, inexperienced, and, most regrettably, failed to keep a formal log. To this day, the fact that I have no record of the birds we encountered feels like a cardinal sin. Now, nearly two decades later, I am returning to the Golden State with a clear purpose: to prove we can do better and to finally do California’s incredible avian life justice.

Point Reyes in 2006 Birding Map

December 3, 2025it stinks in here!!!

We took our trusty New York subway and the AirTrain to reach JFK Airport before 7:00 AM. Thankfully, the terminal wasn’t nearly as crowded as I had feared. Our JetBlue flight departed on time at 9:30 AM and touched down at San Diego International Airport a few minutes ahead of schedule. The flight was so remarkably smooth that I didn't feel a hint of anxiety; I wish every journey could be that peaceful.

Noel Jun JFK Airport Almost there...

San Diego International Airport was much smaller than I anticipated. After collecting our luggage, we boarded a shuttle bus to the rental car center. It was a good thing we got to the Fox Car Rental office before the masses, as a long line was quickly forming behind me. Even though I was next in line, it took a full 20 minutes before I finally spoke with an agent. Thankfully, the paperwork itself wasn't complicated. This time, I strategically opted out of the toll pass, confident I wouldn't need one in the areas I was visiting—I told you I came prepared😉!

It took a solid fifteen minutes just to locate the Fox vehicle lot. Once there, the attendant checked my paperwork and pointed me toward a Volkswagen Taos. I had reserved a compact SUV, and while this didn't exactly look 'compact,' I was told it was the only option available. However, the confusion didn't end there. As I pulled up to the exit booth for the final vehicle check, the agent told me I needed to go back and swap it for a different vehicle. Look closely at the photo below—can you spot the problem?

Volkswagen Taos

I couldn’t believe my eyes: the registration had expired in May of 2025, and here we were on December 3rd😠! The irony was incredible—just minutes earlier, the man ahead of me at the rental counter was ranting about nearly ending up in a Mexican prison because his rental had expired tags. I thought he was just being difficult, but it turns out he was actually describing my own situation🤣! I promptly told the lot attendant to find me a different vehicle. Finally, I was ready to begin my birding adventure in a smaller Nissan Kicks—one that was, thankfully, lawfully registered.

Nissan Kicks

I was frustrated by how much time the car rental ordeal had cost us. Despite landing at 12:30 PM, it was 3:30 PM before we reached our first stop. While this delay might have been manageable in the summer, every minute of winter daylight is precious for birding when the sun sets well before 5:00 PM.

Berry Park is a small urban space, certainly not your typical birding hotspot. Much like my approach in Florida, my goal for this trip is to be laser-focused on 'exotics'—feral species with established local populations—as well as California endemics.

At this park, my target was the Swinhoe’s White-eye, a species introduced from Southeast Asia that has spread rapidly across Southern California. Only five minutes into our search, our trusty Merlin Sound ID app picked up their call. We spent the next thirty minutes hunting for this handsome, tiny songster, but to no avail. Exhausted and hungry, we eventually decided to call it a day and head to our campground.

Berry Park Say's Phoebe

Berry Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287217288

As we approached the Tijuana River Valley, the southernmost tip of California bordering Mexico, I was hit by a truly foul stench. Initially, I thought we were passing a landfill or a recycling plant, but the rancid odor only intensified as we neared the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, our home for the night. By the time we pulled in, the smell was almost unbearable.

That’s when Noel discovered online that we were in the middle of the Tijuana River sewage crisis. This long-standing environmental and public health disaster is caused by a relentless flow of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and contaminated runoff from Mexico into San Diego County. Local residents have endured this toxic crisis for decades, with no definitive end in sight.

Despite the horrible smell, the Tijuana River Valley captured the essence of everything I love about a border town. Its unique landscape and architecture instantly transported me back to my travels across South America. Surrounded by the warmth of the Hispanic community, I felt a deep, comforting wave of nostalgia for the beautiful souls I encountered in the southern hemisphere.

The Tijuana River Valley Regional Park is a meticulously kept gem located less than a mile from the Mexican border.

Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Tijuana River Valley Campground

After a long journey, we hastily set up our tent to find a meal, and since we were craving authentic Mexican cuisine, we were thrilled to find no shortage of excellent local options. We chose Albeto's Taco Shop, a highly-rated casual spot in nearby Imperial Beach, and it certainly did not disappoint

Albeto's Taco Shop Albeto's Taco Shop Breakfast Burrito

While I'm typically not a fan of standard burritos, I have a deep love for breakfast burritos, a passion sparked by a previous trip to California. I’ve searched for something comparable back home in New York, but nothing has quite matched the flavor profile found in the Southern states. I must confess that while my all-time favorite remains a specific spot in High Island, Texas, the burrito at Albeto's ranked impressively high on my list. After devouring that massive, delicious meal, I was more than ready to collapse into my sleeping bag.

Day 1 total species: 6, lifer 0

December 4, 2025one minute of fame

My birding day began at 6:30 AM, just as the sun began to peek over the horizon. Right outside my tent, I was greeted by the vocal yet elusive Wrentits and a brilliant Green-tailed Towhee—the perfect combination to jump-start my day!

Tijuana River Valley Campground Tijuana River Valley Campground

https://ebird.org/checklist/S287437676 eBird Checklist:

We headed ten minutes down the road to the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Ranger Station. I’d expected a crowd at such a well-known birding hotspot, but we had the place—and the birds—entirely to ourselves. This became the recurring theme of the trip; having only encountered one other birder the entire time, it seems birding remains a surprisingly quiet pastime in California.

Tijuana River Valley Regional Park

From the get-go, we were immersed in the multitudes of interesting avian lives. We spent two magical hours exploring the area and even found ourselves standing next to the border wall (did you know California had the border wall?). Someday, I hope to bird from the other side of that fence-Mexico is high on my list of must-bird countries.

California Towhee Yellow-rumped Warbler White-crowned Sparrow Bushtit Allen's Hummingbird Black Phoebe Nothern Mockingbird Mourning Dove Mexican Border Border Wall

Tijuana River Valley Regional Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287283480

After an exhilarating morning at Tijuana River Valley, I headed back to Berry Park again to try my luck with the Swinhoe’s White-eye. Merlin Sound ID flagged its call the second we arrived. Since the park is sparse with only a few tall trees, I figured the pretty little skulker had nowhere to hide but the canopy. I focused my search solely on the canopy, and my theory proved correct: I spotted the tiniest, most gorgeous bird with an unmistakable white eye-ring flitting through the highest branches. It was a fleeting view, but a lifer is a lifer!

Black Phoebe

My only goal at Berry Park was to find a Swinhoe’s White-eye, so I never imagined I'd stumble upon a local rarity. While the Summer Tanager is a somewhat familiar sight during the spring and summer in New York, seeing one here was a surprise. As soon as Merlin flagged the call, I managed to spot the bird and document the sighting. Later that day, a local eBird reviewer contacted me to verify the details of the juvenile Summer Tanager. Thankfully, my photos and sound recording provided the necessary proof! By the next morning, my record was officially confirmed and featured in the San Diego County Daily Rare Bird Alert👍.

Summer Tanager

Berry Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287330582

It was time to chase some shorebirds. We headed to a beach by the Tijuana River mouth, a spot where rarities occasionally drift in, and I was specifically hoping for a Pacific Golden-Plover after several recent sightings. The plover remained elusive, but I did manage to spot a different breed of vagrant: the 'Pacific Golden-Surfer Dude'😆🏄.

Squirrel Northern Harrier American Kestrel Say's Phoebe Savannah Sparrow House Finch Black Phoebe Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Brown Pelicans Marbled Godwits Long-billed Dowitchers

Tijuana River mouth eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287293186

Just around the corner from where we stood was the renowned Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. My target here was the highly endangered Ridgway’s Rail. Any rail species is notoriously difficult to spot—let alone an endangered one—so I went in prepared for disappointment. We stopped by the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center to ask for recent sightings, and a very helpful ranger casually mentioned they were seen quite frequently. After she suggested the best trails, we began our 'near-impossible' quest. Just as I was about to write the morning off, the silence broke with a loud squawk. Suddenly, a Ridgway’s Rail racing through the water-never seen a rail swimming!-right in front of our boardwalk! It was easily one of the best sightings of the entire trip🤗.

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge Anna's Hummingbird Allen's Hummingbird Savannah Sparrow Ridgeway's Rail (Light-footed)

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287302681

We spent the rest of the afternoon scouting from Imperial Beach to Famosa Slough and the San Diego River mudflats in search of rarities. We encountered plenty of common species, but none were particularly special, with the exception of a Eurasian Wigeon sighting at the mudflats.

European Starlings American Coot Pied-billed Grebe Brown Pelican Long-billed Curlew Black-bellied Plover American White Pelicans Great Egret Little Blue Heron American Wigeons Brant Eared Grebe Eurasian Wigeon Western Gull Snowy Egret American Crow

Imperial Beach eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287310501

Famosa Slough eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287315443

San Diego River mudflats eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287320543

Wing Street Canyon eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287330092

By the time we finished, it was nearly five o'clock and far too dark for any more birding. Unable to find a nearby campground, we reluctantly decided to trade our tent for a hotel. We checked into the Heritage Inn, a no-frills spot in Point Loma Heights. Starving by the time we arrived, we quickly scouted out a local Vietnamese restaurant called The Phở Shop. I had a craving for noodle soup, and while their Phở wasn't the best I’ve ever had, it certainly hit the spot on an empty stomach. With a full belly and a long day behind me, I was soon fast asleep, dreaming of the rarities tomorrow might bring.

The Phở Shop

Day 2 total species: 64, lifer 6 (Allen's Hummingbird, California Thrasher, California Towhee, Ridgeway's Rail, Swinhoe's White-eye, Western Gull)

December 5, 2025lakeside rumble: the night heron showdown

I got up before sunrise to head to the El Cajon Courthouse—not for a hearing, but for a sighting. I was there to track down a dashing, green-suited visitor from Mexico. Recent reports suggested that Red-crowned Amazons were nesting right on the courthouse grounds. Looking back, prowling the grounds with binoculars in hand must have looked incredibly suspicious, and I’m frankly amazed security didn't haul us in for questioning.

After thirty minutes of fruitless searching, a courthouse employee approached and asked the golden question: 'Are you looking for the parrots?' My face lit up instantly. However, the excitement was short-lived; she explained that while they are fixtures there in the spring and summer, they usually vanish during the winter months. Disappointed, we decided to head out, but I insisted on one last look around the perimeter. As we walked along the sidewalk, we heard those unmistakable raucous squawks. We looked up to see two brilliant Red-crowned Amazons streaking across the sky🥰. A few minutes later, a second pair followed suit. They may not have been nesting in the compound as reported, but they certainly gave us the show we came for.

Red-crowned Amazons

El Cajon Courthouse eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287374256

Fueling up on the morning's success, I headed toward Lindo Lake County Park in pursuit of the Tricolored Blackbird. As a threatened species with 99% of its population restricted to California, this was a 'now or never' bird for our trip. Given the steady stream of recent sightings on eBird, my confidence was high as we pulled into the park.

Lindo Lake County Park Lindo Lake County Park

Lindo Lake is a bustling urban park where humans outnumber the wildlife-unless you count the parade of canine companions. Many of the birds there are fed by humans—either through accidental scraps or outright feeding—so they aren't afraid of people. That’s the good news. The bad news is that my target bird is nearly identical to its common relative, the Red-winged Blackbird. The challenge was daunting: find a few rare Tricoloreds hidden among a massive flock of nearly identical Red-wings. It was a true test of patience. Success meant spotting a sliver of white on a wing bar instead of the usual buff—a distinction that feels impossible at a distance. I’ve never spent so much time staring at common blackbirds, but in the end, I finally locked onto a few promising birds. To be safe, I'm uploading Noel's shots to eBird. There’s a certain peace of mind in knowing a regional reviewer will vet the sighting—if I’ve made a mistake, they’ll definitely let me know!

Tricolored Blackbird Tricolored Blackbird Mallards Ruddy Duck Graylag Goose American Wigeon American Coot Pied-billed Grebe Black-crowned Night Heron Great-tailed Grackle Bushtit Orange-crowned Warbler Black Phoebe

Lindo Lake County Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287389944

Even though the Tricolored Blackbird was my official lifer at the park, the Black-crowned Night Herons were the ones that truly stole the show. I’ve always had a soft spot for them😍, but seeing their 'hidden' side was a game-changer. Since Night Herons are typically such reclusive, 'ghostly' birds, watching them scrap in the open—bickering with each other and even the Snowy Egrets🤣 for food—was one of the most bizarre sights I’ve ever witnessed. Check out the chaos in the clip below!

Even though we only spent about an hour and a half at Lindo Lake, the excitement made it feel like four hours. We were pretty beat (and hungry), so it was officially breakfast burrito time! Thankfully, there was a great Mexican restaurant, Los Rancherito's, nearby, so we grabbed a couple of breakfast burritos. Boy, were they delicious!

Los Rancherito's Mexican Food Los Rancherito's Mexican Food

Everything was going smoothly until our next stop: Stevens Creek, a local hotspot known for its wintering songbirds. Following the eBird coordinates, we ended up at a private school where the entire perimeter was fenced off with 'No Public Access' signs. We circled the school looking for a public trail but came up empty. I was ready to call it a day when I spotted a commercial parking lot backing onto the woods. After a quick walk to the edge of the lot, it was clear we’d finally found the right spot. It took us 40 minutes of searching, but the payoff was worth it—the trees were teeming with wintering songbirds, including Wilson’s and Townsend’s warblers.

Yellow-rumped Warbler Ruby-crowned Kinglet Orange-crowned Warbler

Steven's Creek eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287403981

Next, we were off to the main attraction of the day: the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Unlike the places we had already visited, this reserve was so crowded that we grabbed the very last spot in the parking lot. The main trail by the visitor center was jam-packed, but as soon as we veered onto a side trail (better for birding), the foot traffic immediately subsided.I have to admit, the reserve was a bit of a letdown from a birding perspective. Activity was sparse, and the species we did find were fairly common. It’s a beautifully maintained park and I can see why it’s popular for a stroll, but it might not be the top choice for a dedicated birding excursion.

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve Double-crested Cormorants Bufflehead Black Phoebe Cassin's Kingbird

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287410063

It was late afternoon, and time to head to our campground at O’Neill Regional Park, nestled at the base of Trabuco Canyon about an hour away. We picked up dinner on the way from lovely Casita's Mexican Restaurant.

Casita's Taco Casita's Taco

Much like San Elijo Lagoon, the campground was full; we were glad we had made a reservation months ago! It’s a massive, well-maintained park tucked into a beautiful forest. The best part of the park, however, was the birds. By the time we finished setting up our tent, it was past 3:30 p.m., leaving us little time to explore. We decided to just scout around the campground, and that quick 'look-around' rewarded us with some really nice species including a lifer, Oak Titmouse. There’s nothing like the feeling of being back under the stars. We were exhausted in the best way possible and slept like logs.

Oak Titmouse Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Bushtit

O'Neil Regional Park Campground eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287433067

Day 3 total species: 46, lifer 3 (Oak Titmouse, Red-crowned Amazon, Tricolored Blackbird)

December 6, 2025chasing the long tail (literary)

After packing up camp at O'Neil Regional Park in the dark, I rushed to get to Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park before sunrise. I soon discovered the main gate doesn't open until 7am, but a quick internet search revealed the park has multiple entrances and I was simply at the wrong one😣. I raced over to the Borrego Canyon trailhead located on Portola Parkway, and it was worth the rush—the trail was spectacular from start to finish. We were breathless from all the great bird sightings, especially when we finally spotted the ever-so-elusive California Quail. This trail is an absolute must-visit👍.

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park Anna's Hummingbird California Scrub-Jay California Towhee California Thrasher Nuttall's Woodpecker Wrentit Bewicks 'Wren Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow California Towhee Yellow-rumped Warbler Desert Cottontail

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287536880

Everything was going swimmingly in sunny Southern California until I lost my bearings yet again. I followed Google Maps to the San Joaquin Marsh and found exactly what I searched for. However, after ten minutes on the well-maintained trail, we both felt something was off. We looked at each other and agreed, 'I think we’re in the wrong place.' Call it a birder’s hunch, but it just didn't feel right. Noel checked the map and found an area operated by the Sea & Sage Audubon Society tucked within the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. When we arrived, we knew immediately we were in the right spot. I was so glad we found it; the reserve was every bit as good as I’d heard—though nowhere near as spectacular as Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, which we had visited earlier that morning.

San Joaquin Marsh - WRONG ONE Sea & Sage Audubon Society - RIGHT ONE California Ground Squirrel Song Sparrow c White-crowned Sparrow Swinhoe's Whiteye Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Cedar WaxWing Spotted Towhee Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Shovelers Gadwalls Cinnamon Teals Double-crested Cormorant Clark's Grebe White-faced Ibis Northern Harrier American White Pelican Snowy Egret Great Egret

IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287564957

After a successful day of birding, I was ready for my final target of the day: the Pin-tailed Whydah. This African songbird is usually a showstopper with its impossibly long tail and bold plumage, so I figured it would be an easy win at Huntington Central Park. I expected a literal "walk in the park," but it quickly turned into a frustrating ordeal. The park was swarming with people and their canine companions, and to make things harder, the Whydahs lose those iconic tail feathers during the non-breeding winter season. Without that trademark silhouette, they are surprisingly difficult to pick out from the hundreds of fluttering birds. After a grueling hour and forty minutes of searching, we finally threw in the towel. It was a tough miss, but as they say, there’s always another day.

Mallard Canada Geese American Wigeon Townsend's Warbler Black Phoebe Western Bluebird Bushtit American Goldfinch Nuttall's Woodpecker Lincoln's Sparrow Vermilion Flycatcher Eastern Fox Squirrel

Huntington Central Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287581091

Because LA has such a large Japanese community, we decided to look for Japanese food for dinner. Noel found a nearby spot called Ducks serving authentic, home-style cooking. I knew it would be good when I saw the wait for a table, and the meal itself tasted pretty close to the food I grew up with in Japan.

Ducks Japanese Restaurant Ducks Japanese Restaurant

Since we were within the Los Angeles city limits where campgrounds are non-existent, we booked a night at a local motel called the Aqua Inn. When we arrived, the building was swarmed by police cars—definitely not a good sign🤣. It turned out the authorities were looking for someone staying there. Luckily, we were only there for the night and scheduled to head out before 5am the next morning.

Aqua Inn Motel Aqua Inn Motel

Day 4 total species: 47, lifer 3 (California Quail, California Scrub-Jay, Nuttall's Woodpecker

December 7, 2025perseverance prevails

We were pretty happy and relieved to leave the hotel before 5am😂 to head to Panorama Nature Preserve. It is a gorgeous, scenic hillside sanctuary located in Fullerton, California—best known for its 360-degree panoramic views that extend across Orange County and the Los Angeles Basin, and even as far as the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island on clear days. The beautiful scenery wasn't why we were there, though: the sanctuary is known to be one of the most reliable places to see one very special California resident.

Panorama Nature Preserve Panorama Nature Preserve

The California Gnatcatcher is a small songbird living only in California's coastal sage scrub habitat, which is rapidly declining due to urban development and wildfires. They are listed as a 'federally threatened' species and a 'State Species of Special Concern' in California. It isn’t just their small population that makes them a challenge to find; they look remarkably similar to their abundant cousin, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, with whom they share the same habitat. The most reliable way to tell them apart is their song. Armed with the Merlin Sound ID app in hand, I felt like a detective on a mission. About half an hour into our search, Noel spotted a flash of movement in the sagebrush. Seeing that handsome little bird in person was a thrill, and we spent a few quiet moments watching him before letting him get back to his day.

California Gnatcatcher California Gnatcatcher

Panorama Nature Preserve eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287665380

Fresh off our Gnatcatcher success, we headed to Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park in Glendora—not for a funeral, but for the Pin-tailed Whydah. Since it was Sunday, I felt a bit self-conscious patrolling the busy grounds with binoculars and a camera while families were there to visit their deceased loved ones. An hour of searching had left us exhausted and frustrated. After trekking nearly all 118 acres with zero luck, we decided to cut our losses. We were already heading for the exit when Noel stopped at the main building to use the restroom. While I waited in the car, I caught movement nearby. I almost dismissed them as sparrows, but a quick look through my glass proved me wrong. I couldn’t believe my eyes—a whole flock of Whydahs! Persistence really is the secret to great birding 😍.

Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park Vermilion Flycatcher Vermilion Flycatcher Black Phoebe Mourning Dove Pin-tailed Whydah Coyote Botta's Pocket Gopher

Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287687821

After putting in the work for some top-tier birding, it was time for a reward. We hit a nearby taqueria to pick up—you guessed it—breakfast burritos. If there’s one thing you’ll never struggle to find in California, it’s a solid taqueria, and I was absolutely living for it.

Taqueria Poncitlan Taqueria Poncitlan

With our appetites and birding itch both satisfied, we were ready for our next stop: Ballona Freshwater Marsh. Even without any rarities on the report, you can always count on some solid wader action at the Marsh.

Ballona Freshwater Marsh Pied-billed Grebe American Wigeons Northern Shoveler Western Grebe Double-crested Cormorants Yellow-rumpe dWarbler White-crowned Sparrow Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Red-tailed Hawk

Ballona Freshwater Marsh eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287720226

We wrapped up our birding day in typical Southern California style at the beach, birding the stunning Playa del Rey, right next to the Ballona Freshwater Marsh we’d just explored. It was a picture-perfect Los Angeles afternoon, yet remarkably, the birding managed to outshine the weather. We spotted several shorebirds we recognized from our last trip—though back then, we couldn't quite put a name to them.

Playa del Rey Playa del Rey Marbled Godwit Sanderling Ring-billed Gull Royal Terns Western Gull Brown Pelicans Willet Least Sandpiper Say's Phoebe Great Egret Double-crested Cormorant Western Grebe Bufflehead American Crow White-crowned Sparrow Mourning Dove

Playa del Rey eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287737668

En route to Sycamore Canyon Campground in Point Mugu State Park, we swung through Malibu for dinner. As expected, we couldn't find a neighborhood taqueria in such an upscale area, so we grabbed burgers from Irv’s Burgers and headed straight for the park. By the time we arrived, it was already dark—too late for any birdwatching—but the campsite itself was a lovely spot by the coast. Since we had a big day ahead, we turned in early to get some rest.

Irv's Burgers Sycamore Canyon Campground

Day 5 total species: 44, lifer 0

December 8, 2025fox-trot into my heart...

We left the campground before sunrise and headed for Ventura Harbor, the starting point for our most anticipated adventure yet! We were catching a ferry to the fabled Santa Cruz Island to find the one and only Island Scrub-Jay. As one of the rarest species in the country, this tiny island is the only place on Earth it calls home, making it an absolute must-see bird for our trip. We pulled into the harbor just before 7:00 AM, giving us plenty of time to bird the waterfront before our 9:00 AM departure.

Harbor Cove Beach Whimbrel Black-bellied Plover Willet Black Oystercatcher Wandering Tattler Sanderling Gadwall Pied-billed Grebe Ruddy Duck European Starling

Ventura Harbor eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287812746

Roughly 100 passengers gathered at the dock thirty minutes before departure. We boarded the Island Packer ferry in an orderly fashion, and so began our mystery voyage to Santa Cruz Island. Aside from us, the only other birders were a trio of elderly ladies accompanied by a young guide. Sporting motion sickness patches like badges of honor, we braced for the Santa Barbara Channel. The crossing took a swift hour and a half; the seas remained relatively calm, and the captain kindly slowed the vessel whenever we encountered large gatherings of birds or marine mammals. Unfortunately, unlike our pelagic birding trip to the Dry Tortugas, we didn't have any experts on board to help us identify the many seabirds we encountered.

Ventura Harbor Island Packers Ferry Dock Brandt's Cormorant Western Grebe Black-vented Shearwater Heerman's Gull Brown Pelican Dolphin Off Shore Drilling Santa Cruz Island

Santa Barbara Channel eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287832183

Stepping off the ferry, we caught a quick orientation from the park ranger before diving into our first—and perhaps only—adventure on Santa Cruz Island. At 96 square miles, California’s largest island is roughly triple the size of Manhattan, boasting rugged canyons and over 60 endemic species, including our main target: the Island Scrub-Jay. With only five hours to explore, we were lucky to land at Scorpion Anchorage on the eastern shore. As the island's primary hub, it isn't just convenient—it’s also a hotspot for Scrub-Jay sightings right near the landing.

Santa Cruz Island Channel Islands National Park Channel Islands National Park

The hike along the Scorpion Canyon Loop was beautiful, with plenty of bird activity to keep us busy, but we really only had eyes for one species. About twenty minutes in, we easily spotted two gorgeous Scrub-Jays casually hopping from branch to branch just past the Scorpion Ranch Ranger Station. They were as tame as backyard chickadees—one even landed right on my backpack! We spent a good while admiring these unique islanders before continuing our trek along the trail.

Island Scrub-Jay Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Tennessee Warbler Santa Cruz Island House Finch Golden-crowned Sparrow Black Phoebe Loggerhead Shrike Common Raven White-crowned Sparrow

Santa Cruz Island eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287861259

It was nearing 2:30 PM as we made our way back toward the pier. Passing the Upper Scorpion Campground, a tiny movement in the brush caught my eye. Having read so many trip reports where birders called these tiny mammals the highlight of the island, I knew exactly what I was looking at. I’d joked earlier that nothing could overshadow the Scrub-Jays, but my loyalty was tested the second we locked eyes. The Island Fox is a miniature marvel. Evolved from mainland gray foxes, they have shrunk over millennia into a cat-sized subspecies that might just be the cutest canid on Earth—giving even the Fennec Fox a run for its money. I have to confess: for a few minutes, the Jays were the furthest thing from my mind😍🦊.

Our time on Santa Cruz Island ended on a high note as we hopped the ferry back to Ventura. Though the birds were a bit more elusive than they’d been earlier, we lucked out by spotting right alongside three ladies and their bird guide. He graciously shared his expertise, calling out every rare sighting for us to see. Thanks to his generosity, we headed home feeling totally fulfilled.

Boarding... Cormorants Great Blue Heron Brown Pelican Common Murre

Santa Barbara Channel eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287867872

After landing in Ventura right on schedule at 5:00 PM, we went looking for dinner. We were in the mood for Chinese food and found a decent-looking spot called China Kitchen right in the area. While the service and food ended up being pretty average, it was just what we needed after a long day. We left full, happy, and ready to call it a night.

China Kitchen

Day 6 total species: 56, lifer 4 (Black-vented Shearwater, Cassin's Auklet, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Island Scrub-Jay)

December 9, 2025ghosted again by a prairie queen

We broke camp at a brutal 4:30 a.m. to catch the sunrise at Ventura’s Marina Park. Despite the usual morning dog walkers, the beach was teeming with birdlife. It was a thrill to spot California coastal classics like Black Oystercatchers and Surfbirds. I lost myself in the birding completely—two hours vanished before I even checked my watch.

Marina Park Snowy Egret Belted Kingfisher Hudsonian Whimbrel Black-bellied Plover Willet Surfbirds American Pipit Eurasian Collared Dove Brewer's Blackbird

Marina Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287921521

After a highly rewarding birding session at Marina Park Beach, we grabbed a quick breakfast at Johnny's Fine Mexican Food.

Johnny's Mexican Food Johnny's Mexican Food

Fueled up and ready, we drove over to nearby Leadbetter Beach to search for a Pacific Golden-Plover. While we did spot a flock of common Black-bellied Plovers, we couldn’t confidently pull a Pacific Golden-Plover out from the group. Telling these two species apart in their non-breeding plumage is notoriously difficult. Non-breeding Black-bellied Plovers are a flat, uniform gray and white, whereas Pacific Golden-Plovers retain a warm, yellowish-buff wash across their upperparts, face, and chest. To untrained eyes like ours, they are practically impossible to differentiate😣! Our stop at Leadbetter Beach wasn't a total bust, though! We spotted a couple of Short-billed Gulls—a species we hadn't seen since our trip to Juneau, Alaska, back in 2017😃.

LeadBetter Beach LeadBetter Beach Sanderling Black-bellied Plover Hudsonian Whimbrel Short-billed Gull Ring-billed Gull Heerman's Gull Western Gull Snowy Egret Great-tailed Grackle American Crow

Leadbetter Beach eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287939289

Our last stop in Santa Barbara county was Mission Creek Outflow before heading north to The San Emigdio Mountains. Although no notable species were recorded, we enjoyed observing the shorebirds along the coast prior to traveling inland.

Mission Creek Outflow Snowy Egret Wester nWillet Black-bellied Plover Sanderling Royal Terns Black Skimmer

Mission Creek Outflow eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287947318

After a two-hour drive, we arrived at the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge in the foothills of the southwestern San Joaquin Valley. The landscape was stunningly beautiful yet dry and desolate. While the refuge is famous for California condors, sightings are rare, and we knew our chances were slim. Instead, we were chasing a different lifer: the Prairie Falcon. It felt like déjà vu all over again after our falcon quest in Colorado in the spring of 2024. We scanned the sky as we cruised down the famed Hudson Ranch Road—the only public access route—but unfortunately, we found no sign of the falcon. Leaving empty-handed was quite disheartening, especially with the ghost of our Colorado failure looming over us😟.

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge Lark Sparrow Western Meadowlark White-crowned Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287978632

Heading toward Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake, we stopped for what was supposed to be a quick bite at Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant in Lebec. Well, the stop was anything but 'quick'. Our server completely botched the order, leaving us hanging for nearly forty minutes. The food was just okay, but the service earned a solid zero stars from us. Because of the delay, we rolled into camp after 8pm. We threw up the tent in record time and crashed immediately⛺.

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant Pyramid Lake Los Alamos Campground Pyramid Lake Los Alamos Campground

Day 7 total species: 41, lifer 0

December 10, 2025rendezvous at the porta potti

Back to birding in one of my favorite habitats: dry, shrubby grassland! We started our grassland feather hunting along West Avenue B in Rosamond—a well-known spot for desert specialties like the Sagebrush Sparrow and LeConte's Thrasher. Sadly, we dipped on both, but we did manage to catch sight of some other great sparrow species.

Bell's Sparrow Vesper Sparrows Savannah Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Horned Lark

West Avenue B eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288040271

Our next stop was a well-known spot for none other than the Mountain Plover. I felt a wave of anxiety heading into the A & G Sod Field area; our brutal miss at Pawnee National Grassland last year in Colorado still stung. This time, I had rock-solid eBird intel on my side. The setting wasn't glamorous—just wide sod fields and heavy traffic. The secret clue? Find the blue porta-potti. After 10 minutes of searching, we spotted the plastic landmark sitting way back by a construction zone. We raised our binoculars, scanned the horizon, and BAM! A tiny, plover-like shape. YES!!! A Mountain Plover, the desert ghost itself! It was at least a football field away, but it didn't matter. We finally locked eyes with our lifetime grail bird. Second time's a charm!

Blue Porta-Potti Mountain Plover💕 Red-tailed Hawk House Finch Mountain Bluebird American Pipit Brewer's Blackbird

A & G Sod Field eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288057730

We quickly scanned the area for nesting Burrowing Owls but came up empty-handed before heading south to the famed St. Andrew's Abbey near the town of Valyermo.

Red-tailed Hawk White-crowned Sparrow Western Meadowlark dry shrub grassland

West Avenue B eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288072577

St. Andrew's Abbey is usually a hotspot for western woodpeckers, but today was just an off day. Arriving after 3pm didn't help our chances either. With the area staying quiet, we decided to call it a day after just an hour of birding.

St Andrew's Abbey St Andrew's Abbey

St Andrew's Abbey eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288082356

We usually avoid fast food at all costs, but we couldn't resist trying In-N-Out Burger, a Southern California staple highly recommended by Noel's sister, a former Malibu local. The drive-thru line wrapped completely around the building, so we braved the counter inside instead. The lobby was just as packed—it felt like the entire town had shown up for dinner. We took our meal back to Lake Perris Campground to feast under the stars. The burgers and fries were absolutely incredible, easily outshining the East Coast's beloved Shake Shack. With full stomachs, we quickly fell asleep.

In-N-Out Burger In-N-Out Burger Lake Perris Campground

Day 8 total species: 23, lifer 2 (Bell's Sparrow, Mountain Plover)

December 11, 2025euphoria at lake hemet

Usually, I sleep through the night, but I was woken up by the haunting calls of Great Horned Owls—a definite perk of sleeping outdoors! A few hours later, it was just another morning packing up camp in the pitch dark to that same eerie soundtrack.

We arrived at the Momyer Trailhead in the Sand to Snow National Monument just before sunrise. While it was wonderful to hike through a wild mountain forest, the birds proved difficult to spot. The highlight of our long trek was hearing our mega-target, the Mountain Quail, calling from the brush. We paused to investigate, but the elusive quails remained hidden.

Momyer Trailhead Sand To Snow National Monument Sand To Snow National Monument Oak Titmouse Mountain Chickadee California Scrub-Jay Golden-crowned Sparrow Noel with Giant Pine Cone Happy Birders

Momyer Trail eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288203189

We said goodbye to the beautiful (but surprisingly birdless!) Sand to Snow National Monument and started our journey toward San Bernardino National Forest. Because our campground was so remote, we knew we had to grab dinner before hitting the mountain road. Luckily, we spotted a decent-looking Mexican taco spot called El Ranchito Taco Shop and picked up a few burritos to take with us.

El Ranchito Taco Shop El Ranchito Taco Shop

As soon as we started birding at the Lake Hemet Day Use Area, the Merlin Bird ID app picked up Mountain Quail calls. Then we heard them again, and again—they were everywhere! They were all skulking in the low shrubs, and we could see them moving through the leaves. Despite their numbers and close proximity, it was incredibly difficult to get a clear look at one. We waited patiently, and it paid off: a stunning male Mountain Quail hopped out of the bushes for a few seconds before disappearing back into the thick understory. Fully satisfied with our quail sighting, we moved on to explore the forested patches along the road. From that point forward, the sheer number of sought-after bird sightings turned my memory into a blissful blur. I had officially reached birders' nirvana. Two hours vanished in a flash, and as darkness began to fall, we reluctantly said goodbye to the magic of Lake Hemet.

Lake Hemet Mountain Quail White-headed Woodpecker Nuttall's Woodpecker Acor nWoodpecker California Scrub-Jay Brown-headed Nuthatch Western Bluebird Dark-eyed Junco

Lake Hemet eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288206614

We made the drive to our campground at Idyllwild County Park, where despite the biting cold of the mountain night, we stayed toasty in our sleeping bags, eagerly reliving every incredible moment from the lake.

Idyllwild Regional Park Idyllwild Regional Park Campground

Day 9 total species: 31, lifer 2 (Mountain Quail, White-headed Woodpecker)

December 12, 2025rocking at coachella

As usual, we packed up our gear before sunrise to head out to Joshua Tree National Park—the desert landscape made famous by U2. But while most folks think of the 80s Irish rock band when they hear the name, I had just one bird species on my mind: the Pinyon Jay. They are incredibly social and nomadic, moving in large flocks that make their patterns tough to predict. However, with recent reports pointing to Covington Flats and the Black Rock Canyon Campground, we were determined to track them down, especially since we had just missed them at Lake Hemet. The conditions at Joshua Tree were a complete 180-degree flip from what we left behind. Instead of Lake Hemet’s cool mountain air, we were met with a dry, scorching, stuffy heat.

Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree

Our search began at Covington Flats. After thirty fruitless minutes, we realized the jays simply weren't there. They’re famously noisy birds—if they had been around, we would have heard them long before seeing them. Realizing it was a bust, we threw in the towel and decided to try another known hotspot.

Covington Flats Cactus Wren White-crowned Sparrow Red-tailed Hawk

Joshua Tree National Park Covington Flats eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288270807

Black Rock Canyon Campground brought the same disappointing result. Despite consistent eBird sightings all week, the desert remained quiet. Apparently, these social jays weren't so social after all.

West Loop Trail Rock Wren Bewick's Wren Costa's Hummingbird

Joshua Tree National Park West Loop Trail eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288278586

We were frustrated and hungry—a dangerous combination for birders. A quick breakfast burrito stop at Algoberto’s Taco Shop turned things around. Food always makes the losses sting a bit less.

Algoberto’s Taco Shop Algoberto’s Taco Shop

Next, we headed to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. The highlight was easily their impressive feeder setup, which brought in a few California specialties. Beyond the feeders, however, the trails were surprisingly quiet.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Big Morongo Canyon Preserve California Ground Squirrel CaliforniaT owhee California Scrub-Jay California Thrasher Nuttal's Woodpecker Lesser Goldfinch Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow House Finch

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288294448

We traded the dry shrubland for the open desert🌵 to hike the Willis Palms Trail. The area—made famous by the legendary Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival—was certainly quieter and less glamorous than its musical counterpart. However, we did manage to spot our very own miniature rock star🤩: a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. Feeling the oppressive desert heat, I still find it wild that thousands of people willingly gather in this scorching landscape for a concert🥵.

Coachella Valley Preserve Willis Palms Trailhead Coachella Valley Preserve Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Coachella Valley Preserve Willis Palms Trail eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288309813

Seeking an escape from the desert heat, we headed 30 miles south of the Coachella Valley toward what we thought was an oasis. Instead, we found the Salton Sea—California’s largest lake, sitting entirely below sea level. Once a thriving mid-century vacation destination, it is now a notorious ecological and public health disaster zone. As we drove closer, the distinct, rotten stench of hydrogen sulfide gas hit us immediately. Because the lake has no natural outflow, water only escapes through evaporation, leaving behind a century of agricultural runoff, fertilizers, and toxic heavy metals like arsenic and selenium. Shrunk by the desert sun, this concentrated chemical soup has left behind a dry lakebed that whips up dangerous, pesticide-laced dust storms. It was definitely not the oasis we had envisioned.

Salton Sea State Recreation Area Salton Sea

Yet, in a striking twist of nature, this troubled sea remains a vital sanctuary for birdlife. Despite the underlying toxicity, an astonishing array of bird species continue to rely on the Salton Sea. We can personally vouch for its status as a avian hotspot—we encountered a vastly larger concentration of birds here than at any other stop on our trip.

Gambel's Quails Phainopepla Bonapartes Gulls Blue-winged Teals

Salton Sea State Recreational Area eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288327283

The campground was nice, clean, and quiet—seemingly the perfect getaway. But after a long, hot day, all I wanted was a hot shower. I walked over to the facilities only to discover a frustrating catch: the showers required tokens. Not standard quarters, but special tokens. Fuming, I drove back to the entrance booth to find the ranger, who had conveniently forgotten to mention this crucial detail. I finally tracked him down behind the building next to the entrance just as he was packing up for the day. When I asked to buy tokens, he told me he didn't sell them and that I'd have to wait for the visitor center to open tomorrow. Seriously?! Defeated and angry, we drove back to our site. I noticed the only other camper in the park sitting outside, smoking a cigarette. Desperate, we politely asked if he had any extra tokens we could buy. He looked at us blankly and said he’d been staying there for ten days and knew nothing about any tokens😆. Ten days without a shower?! OMG, some people have a completely different definition of hygiene😮🤣.

Salton Sea Campground

Day 10 total species: 39, lifer 0

December 13, 2025the salton sea, where the water came to die

Before sunrise, we pulled into the Niland Boat Launch area. The goal? A reported mega-rarity: the Sagebrush Sparrow. Having sought this elusive bird for quite some time, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't miss. We staked out by the roadside, expecting a grueling, patient wait. Instead, in under 10 minutes, the Merlin app detected its song. Just like that, the quest was over. If only all birding were this effortless🤣!

Salton Sea Sagebrush Sparrow

Niland Boat Launch eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288666098

While driving down Sinclair Road toward the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, a sudden flurry of bird activity caught my eye. We pulled over to investigate, completely unaware that we were about to cross paths with a local rarity. We were treated to the magnificent sight of two White-tailed Kites perched far off in the landscape. Birding 101, always pull over for the unknown😉.

White-tailed Kite Snow Geese White-faced Ibises Great-tailed Grackles Turkey Vulture Great Egret Great Blue Heron

Sinclair Road at Brandt Road eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288666628

We finally arrived at the much-anticipated Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, and it absolutely did not disappoint! Walking away with 30 species on our checklist, the refuge definitely lived up to its reputation for incredible avian diversity.

Rock Hill Trail Bird Only Sign Desert Cottontail Rabbit American Kestrel Red-tailed Hawk Gambel's Quail California Towhee Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Northern Flicker Northern Shovelers Snow Geese American White Pelincan Belted Kingfisher

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Rock Hill Trail eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288433543

It was time to say goodbye to the amazing Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge and head northwest into the desert landscape of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. As we drove into Anza-Borrego, the trees instantly vanished, replaced by an landscape covered in dust. It was beautiful, but in a completely opposite way. Our first order of business was to look for Lawrence’s Goldfinch—unquestionably the most handsome of the three goldfinch species in the US. Known for their nomadic flocks, they are notoriously difficult to track down. However, we were thrilled to learn that a flock had recently been reported in the Henderson Canyon Road Wildflower Area. I wasn't sure what to expect, but finding them wasn’t difficult thanks to a detailed eBird report. Seeing them clearly, however, was a whole different story. Even without tall trees, the birds hid deep inside thick, thorny brush. If we got too close, they would flush and fly to the next bush. We played a tiresome game of hide-and-seek until we finally caught satisfactory views of this gorgeous species.

Lawrence's Goldfinch Lesser Goldfinch Lark Sparrow Common Ravens

Henderson Canyon Road Wildflower Area eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288665729

After an exhausting day of birding, we rolled into lovely Tamarisk Grove Campground, a site unexpectedly alive with young travelers. It was our last evening in California. Rather than savoring the beautiful birds we had already found, I drifted off😴 while strategizing how to catch the missed species tomorrow🤣.

Tamarisk Grove Campground Tamarisk Grove Campground

Day 11 total species: 46, lifer 2 (Lawrence's Goldfinch, Sagebrush Sparrow)

December 14, 2025one last dose of sunshine...

We began our day at the local Wastewater Treatment Plant. Because Borrego Springs gets all its drinking water from the underground Borrego Valley Groundwater Basin, nature handles the filtration, meaning the town doesn't need a central drinking water plant. Instead, strict wastewater management is what protects this vital, single-source aquifer. Finding the facility itself was easy, but tracking down the settling pond for birding turned into a nightmare. As a government site, the perimeter was heavily posted with "No Trespassing" signs. After scouting around, we found a promising dirt path and walked it for over an hour, though my instincts as an experienced birder told me we were in the wrong spot. Thankfully, we crossed paths with a local woman walking her dog. She knew exactly what we were looking for and pointed us right to the pond.

Borrego Wastewater Treatment Plant Borrego Springs

When we arrived at the settling pond, we immediately knew we were in the right place. Our target was LeConte's Thrasher, a highly secretive and elusive bird aptly dubbed the 'Gray Ghost.' 'Oh great,' I thought, 'another ghost hunt.' I remembered exactly how our past ghost hunts usually turned out: frustrating, painful, and agonizing. This thrasher was proving to be no different. For one solid hour, we scanned every patch of desert scrub around the pond but came up empty-handed.

Verdin Say's Phoebe Phainopepla

Borrego Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant Settling Ponds eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288665714

Sadly, we had to start driving toward San Diego for our evening flight back to New York. We made a quick stop at an I-8 vista point, hoping to spot a Black-chinned Sparrow. No such luck—but I knew it was a long shot from the start.

Eastbound I-8 Alpine Vista Point eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288607446

Our next stop was Mission Trails Regional Park. Unlike many California parks we visited, this one was jam-packed. It being Sunday certainly didn't help; the park was so crowded we had to wait for a parking spot. Crowded parks generally make for poor birding, and this was no exception. I was specifically looking for a Western Flycatcher but felt lucky to see any birds at all. Since this is a well-known birding hotspot, the experience likely would have been completely different during the week.

Mission Trails Regional Park Wrentit Golden-crowned Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Anna's Hummingbird

Mission Trails Regional Park eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288627869

We arrived at our final San Diego birding stop just before 3:00 PM. We decided to scan the ocean from the famous Sunset Cliffs, primarily hoping for a Pelagic Cormorant but also looking to enjoy a variety of California seabirds one last time. As expected, the area was busy. However, because the birds stayed on the water or on the massive offshore rocks, the human crowds didn't disturb them at all. While it was our last 'frustrating' birding session of the trip, we were still happy to spend our remaining hours enjoying their company. In the end, we couldn't positively identify a Pelagic Cormorant within the sea of nearly identical Brandt's Cormorants. It certainly would have been easier during the breeding season when their distinct differences stand out.

Sunset Cliffs Cormorant Rock Brown Pelican Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow

Sunset Cliffs eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S288665670

Day 12 total species: 23, lifer 0

Sitting at the gate and waiting for my flight to board, I found myself reflecting on the trip with one ultimate question: "Did I do justice to California's birds this time?" I can proudly answer with a big, fat "Yes!" Hopefully, I'll return one day to do even MORE justice 😊.

Southern California Trip total species: 171, lifer: 23