Birds                                                   Where to look
Abundant 
              (Common and numerous)

        Mallard                                                                Nests in all Refuge ponds - Ducklings in mid-May
  
          Killdeer                                                                Nests in gravel along Tour Loops

         Blue Grosbeak                                                     Look on the Marsh Loop in willow trees
     
         Red-winged Blackbirds                                      Look in cattails near the Boardwalk, in cattails

        Meadowlark                                                          Nests in fields on the Farm Loop

       Barn Swallow                                                         Nests near the fee booth and kiosk

Common 
          (Certain to see in suitable habitat)

    Great Blue Heron                                                                  Nests in trees along the Marsh Loop. Easily seen

    Neotropical Cormorant                         Nests in Rookeries. Place varies from year to year
																					(Ask at the Visitor Center)
    Great Egret                                           In rookeries. Site varies. (Ask at Visitor Center)

    Canada Goose                                      Nests in all ponds. Look on the Marsh Loop

    Turkey Vulture                                       Nests in rocks. Hard to find

    Northern Harrier                                    Nests on the Marsh Loop

    Red-tailed Hawk                                    Nests on Canyon Trail, under power lines

    American Kestrel                                   Nests in cavities in dead trees

    Gambel's Quail                                       Nests on the ground near the Visitor Center. Chicks in June

    Coot                                                      Marsh Loop, near the Boardwalk. Chicks in late May

    Cliff Swallow                                         Builds mud nests on the sides of buildings near the Visitor Center
                                                                         and under the bridge near the fee booth.
    
    Common Yellowthroat                           Nests in cattails on the Marsh Loop

    Yellow-breasted Chat                            Nests along the east-west two-way road near the Eagle Scout Deck,
                                                                                 and also along Rio Viejo Trail

    Avocet                                                   Nests in vegetation in ponds which have been recently drained

    Black-necked Stilt                                  Nests in vegetation in ponds which have been recently drained

    Roadrunner                                            Nests in dense brush, 3 to 4 feet above ground

    Morning Dove                                        All along the Tour Loops

    Ladder-backed Woodpecker                 Nests in cavities of dead trees, near Coyote and Willow Decks

    Northern Flicker                                     Nests in cavities of dead trees on the Farm Loop

    Say's Phoebe                                          Nests near the Visitor Center

    Ash-throated Flycatcher                         Cavity nester in chupadera scrub, in desert areas.

    Western Kingbird                                   Nests in trees near the Visitor Center

    Black Phoebe                                         Nests under the Marsh Deck

    Raven                                                     Nests under the train crossing south of the Visitor Center

Interesting
           (Uncommon, unusual)                         

    Snowy Egret                                           Nests in rookeries. Site varies. Check  at the Visitor Center

    Cattle Egret                                             Rookeries.  Ask at the Visitor Center

    Black-crowned Night Heron                    Rookeries. Site varies. Ask at the Visitor Center

   American Bittern                                       Near the water, in cattails, Marsh Loop

_____________________________________________________________________________

Things you should know if you visit the Refuge:

   The Visitor Center:                A current list of unusual sightings is kept at the Visitor Center desk.

   Directions to the Refuge         Click here for a map and directions

   Weekly bird counts                Weekly counts are posted on our web site from November through March

   Overlap in Seasons                 The birds move when the days become shorter, and with the weather.
                                                    There is considerable overlap between seasons.

   Landmarks                              The loops, trails, ponds and Tour Loop Signs are all on the Refuge Map

   Educational Events                   A complete list of the Educational Events for the year is on our website,