(Thomas Guide:  1231-A5 / GPS: 32.846928,-117.00423) Rating:Easy to Moderate (Flat paved walkways and grass) Directions: From I-15 go east on Hwy 52. Exit at Mast Blvd. Continue east on Mast Blvd. to Fanita Parkway. Turn right and continue south to the entrance to Santee Lakes on your right. Car entry fee is $5.  OR from Mast Blvd, turn left on Fanita Parkway, and continue north to Lake Canyon Dr. Turn right, park and walk in the open gate for free.…

(Thomas Guide:  1350-D5 / GPS: 32.554229,-117.062579) Rating: Easy to Moderate (Mostly flat dirt trails and some paved walkways) Directions: From North County, take the I-15 south and merge with the I-5 south to the Dairy Mart Road Exit.  Turn right on Dairy Mart Rd. (south).  Continue a very short distance and meet at the dirt parking lot on your right just before the concrete bridge and next to the large “TJRV County Park” sign with the pond on the west…

(Thomas Guide: 1150-C1 / GPS: 33.080179,-117.060199) Rating: Easy (Level, paved walkways, dirt trail, and grass) Woodland, riparian, and open-area habitats will usually get us a nice list of resident birds. Directions: From I-15 in Escondido, exit east on Via Rancho Parkway (which becomes Bear Valley Parkway) and drive about 1 mile to the Park Road entrance on your left – at the fire station. Proceed on Park Road about ¾ mile to the Amphitheater parking lot on the right. Expect…

(Thomas Guide: 1189-C7 / GPS:  32.939917,-117.139108) Rating: Easy to Moderate (Level dirt trails) Expect warm weather.  Restrooms located at the start of walk at the Adobe Ranch House. Directions: We will meet at the Rancho de los Penasquitos Adobe Ranch House parking lot and explore trails through grasslands and riparian woodland. Take I-15 and exit at Mercy Road going west. Turn right onto Black Mountain Road and drive a short distance to Canyonside Park Drive (first stop light). Turn left…

(Thomas Guide: 1130-F1/ GPS: 33.130552,-117.029384) Rating: Easy (Grass and paved roads) Expect warm weather.  Restroom located outside office building. Directions: From I-15 exit east on Via Rancho Parkway, which becomes Bear Valley Parkway, and drive 5 miles north to Glen Ridge road at Orange Glen High School. Turn right on Glen Ridge Road and proceed approximately 1 mile east to the cemetery gate. Turn left to parking area. Photos: Oak Hills Cemetary

(Thomas Guide: 1127-A7 / GPS: 33.093537,-117.301308) Rating:Easy (Flat dirt walkways) We will look for waterfowl, shorebirds, and riparian birds.  Expect warm weather. Directions: From I-5 in Carlsbad, exit east on Poinsettia Lane. Turn right on Batiquitos Drive, drive about ½ mile to Gabbiano Lane, turn right and continue to the end. Photos: Bataquitos Lagoon Further Information on Location Here

(Thomas Guide: 1230-G6 / GPS: 32.840023,-117.034222) Rating:Easy to Moderate (Flat dirt and paved walkways)  We will look for ducks, waterfowl, and riparian birds.  Can expect some fall migration birds.  Expect warm weather. Directions: From North County, take I-15 south to CA-52 east. Take exit 13 (Mast Blvd.) and turn left on to Mast. Take the first right onto West Hills Pkwy. Take another right onto Mission Gorge Rd. and then make a very slight right onto Father Junipero Serra Trail.…

(Thomas Guide:1149-E2/GPS:33.077942,-117.116072) Rating:Moderate (paved walkways and dirt trails) We should see waterfowl, shorebirds and a whole host of local residents birds.  Expect warm weather. Directions: From I-15 in Escondido exit at Via Rancho Parkway and drive west to Lake Drive. Turn left and drive about ½-mile. Meet at Del Dios Park across the street from the Country Store. We will first bird around in the parking lot, then drive to the parking lot by the fishing pier.  After birding the…

(Thomas Guide: O.C. 857-C3 / GPS: 33.695584,-118.046917) Rating:Easy to Moderate (Flat dirt & paved walkways, grass) Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is the largest coastal salt marsh preserve in the Los Angeles/Orange County metropolitan region. Its 300 acres are a vital oasis for resident shorebirds and millions of migrating birds traveling between the Arctic and South America along the Pacific Flyway. At Huntington Central Park we will see locals and possibly vagrant migrants. We will bird at the Reserve first and…