A warm March hike through Dilley Reserve began with a search for tiny bird’s nest fungi. We found them, along with a surprising fungal party, busy butterflies, Pacific Chorus Frog tadpoles, and Splendid Mariposa Lilies blooming along the trails.

Four years after the first survey, Fairview Park continues to surprise with new species, memorable encounters, and the quiet rewards that come from returning to the same place month after month.

Three years into the Fairview Park bird surveys, familiar routes continued to produce memorable surprises, from Loggerhead Shrikes and Vermilion Flycatchers to owls, meadowlarks, and more.

The second year of Fairview Park bird surveys brought familiar species, exciting new discoveries, and a growing appreciation for one of Costa Mesa's most rewarding birding locations.

Follow my first year of monthly bird surveys at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, discovering the birds, habitats, and seasonal changes that make this urban park such a rewarding place to explore.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a green oasis where desert scrub meets cottonwoods, willows, and mesquite. Hummingbirds gather near the entrance, tanagers move through the canopy, and Ash-throated Flycatchers call from the drier edges.

Brown Pelicans, Ospreys, shorebirds, and protected nesting habitat make the Santa Clara River Estuary one of Southern California's most rewarding places to slow down and watch coastal birds.

The Salton Sea is one of the West's most remarkable birding destinations, where desert landscapes, enormous flocks, and ongoing conservation efforts make every visit memorable.

A summer monsoon interrupted our visit to Patagonia, Arizona, but once the storm passed, the Paton Center came alive with hummingbirds and one of the Southwest's most welcoming birding destinations.

Mallard Lake in Creve Coeur Park is one of my favorite birding spots near St. Louis. From Purple Martins and Indigo Buntings to soaring raptors, every visit offers something new to discover along its peaceful lakeside trails.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Refuge is one of Missouri's premier birding destinations, offering wetlands, forests, and prairies along the Mississippi Flyway. From winter swans to summer songbirds, every season brings something new to discover.

A rough crossing and towering swells made this Farallon Islands pelagic trip unforgettable. From thousands of nesting seabirds to Black-footed Albatrosses and breaching Humpback Whales, it became one of my most memorable days birding offshore.