2 coastal Bald Eagles, 2 Reddish, more arriving/summer shorebirds, Scissor-tailed

On Saturday, June 30th, visiting birder Bill Tweit and I poked around south San Diego Bay and Sweetwater Reservoir. Best birds were 2 BALD EAGLES at the upper end of Sweetwater Reservoir–casual near the coast in summer–one adult and one one-year-old. The young bird is presumably the same bird I saw back there on 27 May. On south San Diego Bay, a presumably new, adult REDDISH EGRET was at Emory Cove. (Also, the one-year-old-type bird with reddish head and neck but very dull and splotchy body & wing plumage continues as of June 28th at the San Diego River mouth.) A summering BRANT was off the end of J Street/Marina Parkway. Returning shorebirds included 5 bright alternate Short-billed Dowitchers and 8 Red-necked Phalaropes, whereas over-summering birds included 18 basic Red Knots, 45 basic Short-billed Dowitchers, and 60 basic Black-bellied Plovers. Four active nests of Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at the Sports Park. Still 40 Surf Scoters off Camp Surf.

Bill continued north and saw the continuing, returning SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER at Twin Trails Regional Park; but like others have reported, there didn't seem to be any indication of nesting.

–Paul Lehman, San Diego
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports