Winter Southern California

California Gnatcatcher © Barry Zimmer

Exceptional mid-winter birding in a wide variety of habitats from rocky shoreline to chaparral to pine forests. Generally wonderful weather combined with a trip list that could approach 200 species. California specialties, abundant waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. Can be taken in combination with Winter Southern Arizona.

Southern California offers some of the best winter birding to be found in the United States and is a pleasant getaway from the cold weather blanketing most of the country at this time. A wide range of habitats, including rocky shorelines, coastal estuaries, chaparral, pine-oak woodlands, and desert, combine for an amazingly diverse list of birds. Most of the California specialties are present and readily found at this season, including the federally threatened California Gnatcatcher, the skulking Wrentit, California Thrasher, California Towhee, and Tricolored Blackbird.

Along the coast we will seek out Western and Clark’s grebes, Pelagic and Brandt’s cormorants, Eurasian Wigeon (rare), Ridgway's Rail, Wandering Tattler, Black Turnstone, and Surfbird. Foothills and mountains could yield California Quail, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker (uncommon), Pygmy Nuthatch, Oak Titmouse, Bell’s Sparrow, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch (sporadic). Finally, we will bird the Imperial Valley and famed Salton Sea where Burrowing Owls, Mountain Plover, and Ross’s Goose are among the many possibilities.

An abundance of wintering birds (especially waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors), excellent potential for rarities, and great weather combine for a superb birding experience.

Good accommodations; easy to moderate terrain with roadside birding and some short hikes; generally pleasant weather conditions.

Brandt's Cormorant © Barry Zimmer