A bird in the land

Is region’s avian diversity at risk?

By Scott LaFee, Union-Tribune Staff Writer

Monday, April 26, 2010 

 Among its assorted accolades, San Diego can claim to be among the “birdiest” regions in the country, at least according to an annual contest sponsored by the American Birding Association

Last year, for example, San Diego placed second among Pacific coast counties with 260 bird species observed during the three-day competition period, trailing only Los Angeles County with 264 sighted species. The city of San Diego, meanwhile, was listed as the second birdiest coastal metropolis with 198 species, behind only Corpus Christi, Texas, with 217 species. Top three finishes for the county and city are routine.

Of course, winning the title of “birdiest” involves a bit of luck and a lot of field observers, but this region has long enjoyed remarkable and indisputable avian diversity. More than 500 bird species have been sighted and recorded here: natives, migrants and exotics. It’s said no county in the continental United States is home — or at least stopping place — to more kinds of birds.

But that is changing — and mostly for the worse.

Read the whole story.

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