A Journey Through Southern California’s Birding Hotspots

I recently had the opportunity to guide a private birding tour in my home state of California. It’s always a special experience to introduce someone to the landscapes I grew up in, and this tour was an unforgettable journey through Southern California’s diverse birding habitats.

Our adventure began after a quick visit with my family in Glendale. I picked up my client, who was embarking on his very first birding trip, and we set off on a whirlwind tour of Southern California. We started with some birding in the East LA area before heading out to Palm Springs for our first night. The next morning, we explored Andreas and Big Morongo Canyons, where we encountered some fantastic species, including Least Bell’s Vireo, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and Summer Tanager. It was an exciting start to the trip, with plenty of lifers for my client.

From there, we headed west and found a few more gems—Tricolored Blackbirds and Western Screech-Owls—before wrapping up the day near Huntington Beach. We woke up early the next morning with one mission in mind: to find Ridgeway’s Rails. But as birders know, not every species cooperates! While the rails eluded us, we were treated to a consolation prize—dozens of Black Skimmers, a flock of migrating Warbling Vireos, and some excellent side-by-side comparisons of Song Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows, which my client really appreciated.

After a quick stop at Bolsa Chica, we set our sights on Santa Barbara. One of the highlights of the trip happened there. As we were birding near the pier, I spotted a Brown Pelican that had gotten itself tangled in fishing line, with fishhooks piercing it in three places. I was able to carefully free the bird, and it flew away unharmed. That was definitely an exhilarating way to start the morning—I didn’t need another cup of coffee that day!

The rest of the morning in Santa Barbara was peaceful, with a sighting of a Snowy Plover and her young chick. Afterward, we turned our focus back east and spent the day finding some regional specialties like Yellow-billed Magpies, LeConte’s Thrashers, and Bell’s Sparrows.

The next day took us to the furthest point north on our tour—Sequoia National Park—where we sought out some mountain species like Fox Sparrows and MacGillivray’s Warblers. The final highlight of our trip came just before we returned to the LA area when we got our best views of Wrentits—a perfect way to end the journey.

This tour was an incredible blend of birding and exploration through some of the most beautiful places in California. As always, it was a joy to share my love for birds with a fellow enthusiast, especially in a place so close to my heart. I’m looking forward to organizing a group tour through California soon, and I can’t wait to see what new birding adventures await!

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We’re excited to announce our first tour of the new year, highlighting the incredible diversity of bird life found in Central Mexico! This tour promises an unforgettable experience as we explore some of the most beautiful habitats and rare species the region has to offer. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot today!