On Saturday night around 30 Adults and 8 children came out to the amphitheater at the Sweetwater Campground in Bonita for the first weekend of Hawktober.
Charles Gailband is a Senior Park Ranger and licensed professional falconer with the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation. He brought out animal ambassadors Buster, the red tailed hawk; Athena the burrowing owl; and Corazon the barn owl.
Checkout my last post about the 2026 HAWKTOBER EVENTS for dates and locations
Hawktober is an annual celebration of local birds of prey, including hawks, owls, and falcons. This marks the event’s eighth year offering FREE workshops at parks, campgrounds and wilderness preserves across San Diego County.
Events are free and open to all ages, starting October 3. Explore multiple workshops to meet different birds and rangers.
Hawktober is an annual celebration of local birds of prey, including hawks, owls, and falcons. This marks the event’s eighth year offering FREE workshops at parks, campgrounds and wilderness preserves across San Diego County.
Events are free and open to all ages, starting October 3. Explore multiple workshops to meet different birds and rangers.
Special perk: Grab limited-edition Hawktober trading cards (while supplies last), complete with stats like wingspan, weight, and fun facts.
Live raptors: Meet ambassador birds like hawks, owls, and falcons up close and learn about their unique behaviors and adaptations.
Fun facts: Discover how these birds live, what they eat, how they hunt, when they’re active, and special traits like speed, camouflage, or night vision.
Bird tales: Each event features different birds—each with a name and story—shared by passionate rangers.
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 3 | 10 – 11 a.m. | William Heise County Park4945 Heise Park Rd.Julian, CA 92036 |
| SATURDAY, OCT 3 | 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. | Sweetwater Campground3218 Summit Meadow RoadBonita, CA 91902 |
| SUNDAY, OCT. 4 | 10:30-11:30 a.m | San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center2710 Manchester Ave.Cardiff by the sea, CA 92007 |
| SUNDAY, OCT 4 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Stagecoach Sunday1620 S. Stage Coach LaneFallbrook, CA 92028 |
| SUNDAY, OCT. 4 | 1 -2 p.m. | Village View County Park831 E. Fallbrook StreetFallbrook, CA 92028 |
| FRIDAY, OCT. 9 | 4 -5 p.m. | Lakeside Community Center9841 Vine St.Lakeside, CA 92040 |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 10 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Pine Valley Library28804 Old Highway 80Pine Valley, CA 91962 |
| SATURDAY, OCT 10 | 12 – 1 P.M. | Lincoln Acres County Park2717 Granger AvenueNational City, CA 91950 |
| SUNDAY, OCT. 11 | 10:30-11:30 a.m | Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground1942 Monument RoadSan Diego, 92154 |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 17 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Lake Morena County Park2550 Lake Morena DriveCampo, CA 91906 |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 17 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Hellhole Canyon County Preserve19324 Santee Ln.Valley Center, CA 92082 |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 17 | 5 – 6 p.m. | Dos Picos County Park17953 Dos Picos Park Rd.Ramona, CA 92065 |
| SUNDAY, OCT. 18 | 1 – 2 p.m. | Waterfront Park1600 Pacific Highway,San Diego, CA 92101 |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 24 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Lamar County Park3180 Bancroft Dr.Spring Valley, CA 91977 |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 24 | 4 – 5 p.m. | Fallbrook Community Center341 Heald Lane,Fallbrook, CA 92028 |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 24 | 4 – 5 p.m. | Otay Lakes County Park2270 Wueste Road,Chula Vista, CA 91915 |
| SUNDAY, OCT. 25 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Santa Ysabel Nature Center22135 Highway 79,Santa Ysabel, CA 92070 |
| SATURDAY, OCT. 31 | 2 – 3 p.m. | El Monte County Park15805 El Monte Rd.Lakeside, CA 92040 |
Imperial Beach birds, Imperial Beach terns, Tijuana Estuary, Tijuana River Estuary, Elegant Tern, Royal Tern, San Diego birding, San Diego bird photography, Imperial Beach bird photography, salt marsh birds, Southern California birding, San Diego wildlife photography
If you spend enough time exploring the wetlands and shoreline of San Diego’s South Bay, you begin to notice that certain birds seem to have favorite places.
One of those birds is the Elegant Tern.
I’ve been seeing Elegant Terns around the salt marsh in Imperial Beach, where large flocks can gather over the wetlands and surrounding waterways. I’ve also seen them farther north around the South Bay salt flats, showing just how closely these birds are associated with the coastal wetlands and salt ponds of the region.
For a bird photographer, seeing a large flock of Elegant Terns moving through the South Bay is an impressive sight.
Elegant Terns are sleek, long-winged seabirds with a shaggy black crest, pale gray back, white underparts and a distinctive orange bill. They are closely associated with the Pacific Coast and are particularly noticeable in Southern California during the warmer months.
The birds are known to use bays, estuaries, mudflats and coastal waters after the breeding season. A recent City of San Diego biological report describes Elegant Terns as post-breeding visitors to Southern California’s coast, with birds frequenting bays, estuaries, mudflats and lagoons. San Diego Bay also supports a small nesting colony.
That makes the South Bay a particularly interesting place to look for them.
The salt marsh around Imperial Beach and the salt ponds farther north are part of a much larger coastal wetland system.
The Tijuana Estuary is one of Southern California’s remaining salt marshes and provides feeding, nesting and stopover habitat for hundreds of bird species.
The South Bay salt ponds provide another important piece of habitat. The ponds are part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge and support a remarkable variety of birds. The highly saline water produces brine organisms that provide food for birds, while the pond levees provide nesting habitat.
So when Elegant Terns appear in the Imperial Beach marsh or around the South Bay salt flats, they aren’t simply passing through a random patch of habitat. They’re using a connected network of coastal wetlands that has supported terns for generations.
The connection between Elegant Terns and the South Bay goes back decades.
Elegant Terns first nested in California at the San Diego Bay salt works in 1959. Historical records also describe the South Bay salt ponds as one of the few nesting locations for Elegant Terns in the United States.
That history makes seeing them around the salt flats today even more interesting.
The salt ponds may look industrial at first glance, but they have become an important part of the South Bay’s wildlife landscape. The combination of shallow water, mudflats and extremely salty ponds creates unusual habitat that attracts birds looking for food and places to rest or nest.
When you’re photographing birds, it’s tempting to get just a little closer. A better angle, a clearer shot, or a photograph of a tern taking flight can make you want to step beyond a fence or posted sign.
But around the Imperial Beach wetlands, those signs are there for a reason.
The salt marsh is a living ecosystem. What may look like an empty patch of mud or vegetation can be feeding, resting, or nesting habitat for birds. Walking into these areas can disturb wildlife, damage vegetation, and cause birds to use valuable energy flying away from people.
This is especially important when large flocks of terns are present. A person approaching a flock can cause dozens or even hundreds of birds to suddenly take flight. While one disturbance may seem insignificant, repeated disturbances from visitors can keep birds from feeding or resting.
There is also another reason to stay on the designated paths: wetlands can be fragile and surprisingly easy to damage. Salt-marsh plants and the muddy surface help form an ecosystem that has developed over many years. Foot traffic can create unofficial trails and damage vegetation that provides habitat for birds and other wildlife.
For photographers, staying behind the signs is part of responsible wildlife photography. A longer lens, binoculars and patience can often give you a better experience without getting closer.
The goal isn’t simply to get the closest photograph.
The goal is to photograph the birds while allowing them to continue doing what they came here to do.
So when you visit the Imperial Beach salt marsh or the South Bay salt flats, pay attention to the signs and stay on designated trails. Give the birds room, respect protected areas and let the wetlands remain a place where wildlife can thrive.
Sometimes the best wildlife photograph is the one you take without disturbing the wildlife at all.
Discover why Scripps Pier in La Jolla is one of San Diego’s most photographed landmarks. Learn its history, photography tips, wildlife highlights, and nearby attractions.
Unlike many California piers, Scripps Pier was never intended for amusement rides, restaurants, or fishing. Officially known as the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, it serves as a working research facility for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego.
The original wooden pier opened in 1916 thanks to a generous gift from philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. After decades of serving scientists, it was replaced in 1988 with the modern reinforced concrete structure that stands today. At 1,084 feet long, it remains one of the world’s longest active research piers.
Both tides offer unique perspectives.
Every spring and early summer, one of the most heartwarming sights at Lake Wohlford is the appearance of Western Grebe chicks riding on the backs of their parents. For birders and photographers, these fuzzy youngsters provide some of the most memorable wildlife viewing opportunities in North County San Diego.
The Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is one of North America’s largest grebes, known for its elegant black-and-white plumage, striking red eyes, and spectacular courtship displays. Lake Wohlford has long been a favored breeding location for these birds, with photographers documenting their famous “rushing” behavior—when pairs appear to run across the water during courtship.
After nesting season begins, the real stars of the show emerge: the chicks. Newly hatched Western Grebes are covered in black-and-white stripes and are surprisingly mobile. Within minutes of hatching, they are capable of climbing onto a parent’s back, where they spend much of their first weeks sheltered from predators and cold water. Both parents participate in raising the young and take turns carrying them around the lake.
Watching a grebe family cruise across the calm waters of Lake Wohlford can feel like something out of a nature documentary. Often only a few tiny striped heads are visible peeking out from beneath a parent’s wings. As the chicks grow, they become more adventurous, swimming alongside their parents and eagerly begging for small fish.
The breeding cycle of Western Grebes depends on floating nests constructed from aquatic vegetation. These nests are anchored among emergent plants and can support clutches of two to four eggs. Once the chicks hatch, they leave the nest quickly and begin their remarkable back-riding behavior.
For wildlife photographers, early morning is often the best time to observe these families. Calm water creates beautiful reflections, and the soft light highlights the chicks’ distinctive striped plumage. A telephoto lens allows photographers to capture natural behavior without disturbing the birds.
Beyond providing wonderful photographic opportunities, the presence of nesting Western Grebes is an indicator of healthy aquatic habitat. These colonial nesting birds require a combination of open water for feeding and sheltered vegetation for nesting. Across western North America, breeding populations depend on suitable lake habitat and protection from disturbance.
A visit to Lake Wohlford during chick season offers a reminder of how remarkable bird life can be right here in San Diego County. Whether you’re an experienced birder or simply enjoying a morning walk around the lake, spotting a Western Grebe carrying its striped youngsters across the water is an experience that is hard to forget.
Birding Tip: Bring binoculars and scan the quieter coves of the lake during the morning hours. Look for an adult grebe sitting unusually high in the water—there may be several chicks hidden on its back.
At Lake Wohlford, visitors can rent fishing boats, including rowboats and small motorboats, from the lake’s concession area. The lake has long offered boat rentals for anglers who want to reach deeper water or fish away from the shoreline
Famosa Slough is one of San Diego’s last remaining coastal wetlands and estuaries. It sits between Ocean Beach and Point Loma near the San Diego River channel, surrounded by dense urban development, which makes it especially unique. The slough covers about 37 acres and includes tidal marsh, mudflats, shallow channels, and nesting habitat for birds
Historically, the area was part of the much larger Mission Bay estuary system, once called “False Bay.” Over the 1900s, development projects — including river channelization, trolley tracks, land filling, and wartime construction — cut the slough off from much of the original wetland system. By the 1970s, parts of it were even being filled with rubble for development projects, which triggered local activism to save it. The City of San Diego eventually purchased much of the land in 1990 for preservation and restoration.
Today, the slough is famous among birders and nature photographers because more than 180 species of birds have been recorded there, including:
black-necked stilts
snowy egrets
avocets
pelicans
kingfishers
yellow-crowned night herons
migrating ducks and shorebirds along the Pacific Flyway.
The wetland also serves as a nursery habitat for fish and marine life because tidal seawater mixes with freshwater runoff, creating a brackish estuary environment. Native plants like pickleweed dominate the marsh and turn bright red in fall.
A major reason Famosa Slough is considered important is that roughly 95% of California’s historic wetlands have been lost to development. Local volunteers and the Friends of Famosa Slough continue restoration work, invasive plant removal, habitat enhancement, and educational programs.
The slough is also protected as a California marine conservation area where taking marine life is prohibited.
If you visit, there are short walking paths, viewing benches, and excellent birdwatching especially around sunrise and high tide. It’s often described as a “hidden gem” because it feels surprisingly quiet despite being surrounded by city neighborhoods.
Officially known as Miramar Reservoir, the lake offers a peaceful blend of recreation, wildlife, and wide-open scenery just minutes from busy neighborhoods and freeways. Originally constructed as part of San Diego’s water supply system, the reservoir today serves a dual purpose. While it continues to store drinking water for the city, the surrounding recreation area has evolved into a popular local escape where visitors can enjoy nature without leaving urban San Diego behind.
Officially known as Miramar Reservoir, the lake offers a peaceful blend of recreation, wildlife, and wide-open scenery just minutes from busy neighborhoods and freeways. Originally constructed as part of San Diego’s water supply system, the reservoir today serves a dual purpose. While it continues to store drinking water for the city, the surrounding recreation area has evolved into a popular local escape where visitors can enjoy nature without leaving urban San Diego behind.
One of the biggest draws of Lake Miramar is the nearly five-mile paved loop that circles the reservoir. The trail is mostly flat, making it accessible for casual walkers while still offering enough distance for runners and cyclists looking for a good workout. Early mornings are especially popular, when cool air settles over the water and the rising sun reflects across the calm surface of the lake.
Wildlife is another major attraction around the reservoir. Birdwatchers regularly encounter ducks, grebes, cormorants, herons, and gulls on the water, while hawks and kestrels patrol the nearby hillsides. During migration seasons, unexpected visitors sometimes appear, rewarding patient observers with memorable sightings. Despite its popularity, Lake Miramar still manages to feel surprisingly peaceful. A weekday morning walk can bring long stretches of quiet shoreline, interrupted only by birds calling across the water or the distant splash of fish near the surface.
For bird photographers and wildlife lovers, it is one of the most immersive experiences in the zoo.
Tucked within the lush Lost Forest section of the San Diego Zoo, the Parker Aviary feels less like an exhibit and more like stepping into a living rainforest. The moment visitors walk through the doors, the sounds of rushing water, echoing bird calls, and rustling leaves replace the noise of the city outside.
Unlike traditional bird enclosures, Parker Aviary is designed as a free-flight aviary where birds soar overhead, perch near pathways, and interact naturally within dense tropical vegetation. The exhibit focuses primarily on species from Central and South America, creating the feeling of wandering through a humid jungle canopy.
The aviary’s winding paths, wooden bridges, and shaded foliage create endless opportunities for photography. Soft filtered light pours through the leaves while birds appear suddenly from the greenery, often at eye level.
Among the species visitors may encounter are:
The bright orange Andean cock-of-the-rock is often the star attraction, drawing crowds with its bizarre crest and glowing plumage. Its color almost looks unreal against the deep green surroundings.
One of the most unique aspects of Parker Aviary is the addition of golden lion tamarins — small endangered primates that share the exhibit with the birds. According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, this is the only place in the zoo where guests can walk through an exhibit alongside free-moving primates.
The tiny monkeys leap through vines and branches overhead while birds move through the same space below. The combination creates a constantly changing rainforest scene where something interesting is always happening.
Visitors and photographers frequently describe the aviary as one of the highlights of the zoo experience. On Reddit, several guests called the aviaries “beyond incredible” and praised Parker Aviary for its immersive atmosphere and close-up wildlife encounters.
Parker Aviary is especially popular among photographers because the birds are often much closer than they would be in large open exhibits. The thick foliage creates beautiful natural backgrounds and soft bokeh effects that help portraits stand out.
Patience is rewarded here. Sit quietly near the stream or along the railings, and eventually a toucan may glide overhead or a motmot may perch nearby long enough for a portrait.
Morning hours are often the best time to visit, when the aviary is quieter and the birds are more active.
The San Diego Zoo has long been recognized for its bird conservation programs and one of the most diverse bird collections in North America.
Parker Aviary helps introduce visitors to species many people would never otherwise encounter. By creating an immersive environment rather than a simple viewing area, the exhibit encourages visitors to slow down, observe behavior, and appreciate the incredible diversity of tropical bird life.
For many guests, it becomes one of the most memorable stops in the entire zoo.
Whether you are a birder, photographer, or simply someone looking for a peaceful corner of the zoo, Parker Aviary offers a chance to disappear into the rainforest for a little while — without ever leaving San Diego.
There are few places in Southern California where raw coastal beauty and high-speed wildlife drama come together as seamlessly as Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Known for its windswept cliffs, rare pine trees, and sweeping ocean views, this stretch of coastline is also home to one of the fastest animals on Earth—the Peregrine Falcon.
The sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines State Beach provide ideal nesting habitat for peregrine falcons. High ledges offer safety from predators and unobstructed views of the skies and shoreline below. From these vantage points, falcons can scan for prey—shorebirds, pigeons, and small seabirds—before launching into action.
Unlike many birds of prey that build large nests, peregrines prefer a simple scrape in gravel or dirt along cliff edges. It’s minimalist, but perfectly suited for life on the edge.
What makes peregrine falcons truly legendary is their speed. During a hunting dive—known as a stoop—they can exceed 200 miles per hour, making them the fastest animal on the planet. Watching one descend along the cliffs at Torrey Pines is unforgettable: a blur of motion, a sudden strike, and then silence again as the ocean continues to roll below.
Their streamlined bodies, pointed wings, and powerful talons are all built for this precise, high-speed hunting style.
The presence of peregrine falcons at Torrey Pines is also a conservation success story. In the mid-20th century, populations across North America declined sharply due to pesticide use, especially DDT. Thanks to bans on harmful chemicals and dedicated recovery efforts, peregrines have made a remarkable comeback.
Today, spotting one soaring above the reserve is a reminder of what conservation can achieve.
If you’re hoping to photograph or observe peregrine falcons at Torrey Pines, timing and patience are key:
Look for fast, direct flight patterns and sharp wingbeats. Peregrines are often seen gliding along cliff edges or perched high above the trails.
For photographers, peregrine falcons offer both a challenge and a reward:
Even if you don’t capture the perfect shot, the experience alone is worth it.
As exciting as it is to see peregrine falcons up close, it’s important to respect their space. Stay on designated trails, keep a safe distance from nesting areas, and follow any posted closures during breeding season. These protections help ensure the falcons continue to thrive along this fragile coastline.
At Torrey Pines, the landscape itself is dramatic—but the sky adds another dimension. A quiet walk along the cliffs can suddenly turn into a front-row seat to one of nature’s most incredible displays of speed and precision.
Whether you’re a birder, photographer, or casual visitor, catching a glimpse of a peregrine falcon here is something you won’t forget. It’s a reminder that even in a place known for its scenery, the real magic is often moving just above you.
Tucked along the north western edge of San Diego Bay, Spanish Landing Park West offers a rare blend of peaceful scenery and deep historical significance. Just minutes from the bustle of the airport, this waterfront park feels like a hidden retreat—where sailboats drift by, palm trees sway, and history quietly lingers in the background.
Long before it became a scenic park, this shoreline played a pivotal role in shaping the region. In 1769, Spanish expeditions led by Gaspar de Portolá and Junípero Serra came ashore here, marking the beginning of European settlement in Alta California.
Today, a historical marker commemorates this moment, reminding visitors that this quiet park was once the starting point of a much larger story—one that would eventually lead to the founding of California’s first missions and settlements.
Spanish Landing Park West is the kind of place where you come to take your time. Wide grassy lawns stretch along the bay, dotted with picnic tables and shaded by trees. A paved waterfront path makes it ideal for walking, jogging, or biking while enjoying uninterrupted views of the marina and downtown skyline.
There’s also a small sandy beach—perfect for relaxing, launching a kayak, or simply dipping your toes in the water. While it’s not a major swimming destination, it’s a great spot to unwind and watch boats glide across the harbor.
Families will find playground areas for kids, while photographers and nature lovers will appreciate the open sightlines and ever-changing coastal light.
One of the most unique features of the park is its proximity to San Diego International Airport. Planes descend dramatically overhead, offering a thrilling and surprisingly peaceful spectacle. It’s one of the best spots in the city for plane-watching—especially during golden hour when aircraft silhouettes cut across colorful sunsets.
Recent improvements have added a thoughtful environmental touch to the park. New groves of water-wise and non-invasive trees have been planted to provide shade, support biodiversity, and enhance the overall landscape.
These additions not only make the park more comfortable on warm days but also reflect San Diego’s growing commitment to sustainability along its waterfront spaces.
Spanish Landing Park West is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with parking available nearby. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick walk, a picnic, or a sunset photo session, it’s an easy and rewarding place to explore.
Spanish Landing Park West isn’t flashy—and that’s exactly its charm. It’s a place where history, nature, and everyday life quietly intersect. You can stand where explorers once landed, watch modern sailboats drift by, and listen to jets overhead—all in the same moment.
For photographers, it’s a canvas of light and motion. For locals, it’s a peaceful escape. And for visitors, it’s a reminder that even the most laid-back places can hold powerful stories.
