Your Spring Birding Guide: 5 Birds to Spot at Cabrillo National Monument
With panoramic ocean views, winding trails, and lively coastal habitats, Cabrillo National Monument is a treasured spot for spring birdwatching in San Diego. Located along the Pacific Flyway— a major migration route stretching approximately 10,000 nautical miles from Alaska to South America—Cabrillo serves as a critical stopover for millions of birds each spring. From small songbirds to soaring raptors, migratory birds rely on the park’s natural resources to rest and refuel on their way to their final breeding grounds. But Cabrillo’s birdlife isn’t limited to seasonal visitors. The park is also home to a wide variety of year-round resident species, some of which become easier to spot (or hear!) as the spring season brings increased activity and visibility.
Whether you're a seasoned birder or just a first-time spotter, this guide highlights five migratory birds you’re likely to see this spring at Cabrillo National Monument—plus helpful tips on when to visit, what to bring, and where to look for the best sightings.
California Gnatcatcher / Photo Credit: Patricia Simpson
When to Visit:
Spring, from March through May, is one of the peak seasons for migratory birdwatching at Cabrillo National Monument. The park is open daily from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (certain holidays excluded), with mornings and late afternoons offering the best chances to spot active birds.
What to bring:
Binoculars
Cabrillo National Monument Birding Guide (https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/bird-guide.htm) and/or a birding app like eBird, Merlin, and Audubon Bird
Notebook for recording sightings
Comfortable walking shoes
Water, sun protection, and layered clothing for variable coastal weather
1. Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)
The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) is a captivating migratory bird that passes through Cabrillo National Monument in spring. Recognizable by its rich brown upper body, smudged spots on its breast, and a distinctive reddish tail, this small thrush is often heard singing its melancholy, flute-like song before it is seen.
Unlike many other thrush species, the Hermit Thrush is a short- to medium-distance migrant, wintering in the southern U.S. and Mexico before heading north to breed in Canada and the northern U.S. It’s also one of the earliest thrushes to arrive in its wintering grounds and among the last to depart in spring,
In the springtime, the Hermit Thrush eats mainly insects such as beetles, caterpillars, bees, ants, wasps, and flies. They also occasionally eat small amphibians and reptiles. In the winter, they change their diet to eat more fruit, including wild berries.
Birders should look for this species along shaded trails and wooded edges in the morning, watching for its characteristic behavior of quickly lifting its tail after short, darting movements through the underbrush
Hermit Thrush / Photo Credit: Patricia Simpson
2. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) is one of the most widespread migratory songbirds to pass through Cabrillo National Monument each spring. Its gray-streaked plumage, white wing patches, and signature bright yellow rump, throat, and sides make it easy to identify. This warbler is acrobatic and vocal, producing a variety of sharp chip notes while flitting actively through trees and shrubs.
Unlike many warblers that rely solely on insects, the Yellow-rumped Warbler has a unique digestive ability that allows it to consume berries and wax-coated fruits. This adaptation enables it to winter farther north than most warbler species, staying in the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America, before migrating north to breed in coniferous forests of Canada and the northern U.S.
At Cabrillo, the Yellow-rumped Warbler can often be seen darting between coastal sage scrub and other low vegetation, pausing briefly before resuming their search for food. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to observe their fast, erratic flight and characteristic yellow flashes among the foliage.
Yellow-rumped Warbler / Photo Credit: iNaturalist.org user @donaldmcleod
3. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) is a striking heron that can often be seen at Cabrillo National Monument during spring—with some migrating past the park and others residing in San Diego year-round. With its white plumage, black legs, and bright yellow feet, this elegant bird is easy to recognize as it moves gracefully through shallow waters in search of food. During breeding season, Snowy Egrets develop long, curving plumes on their head, neck, and back, giving them an even more dramatic appearance.
Snowy Egrets have varied migration patterns depending on their location. While some populations remain year-round along the Pacific and Gulf Coasts, others migrate north in spring to breed in wetlands, estuaries, and coastal marshes across the U.S. and as far as southern Canada, after spending the winter in warmer climates like the Gulf Coast, Florida, and as far south as South America. Birds that winter in Central and South America travel great distances to reach their northern breeding grounds, while others make shorter seasonal movements within the U.S.
A skilled and active hunter, the Snowy Egret is often seen stirring up mud with its bright yellow feet to flush out fish, crustaceans, and insects. At Cabrillo, look for them wading through the intertidal zone or perched along the rocky shorelines, scanning the water for prey. Their elegant movements and sudden, precise strikes make them a fascinating species to observe, especially during early morning and late afternoon feeding times.
Snowy Egret / Photo Credit: Patrica Simpson
4. Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a highly adaptable songbird that can be seen at Cabrillo National Monument throughout much of the year, although they become more noticeable in the spring when males increase in signing their loud, seemingly endless songs. With its sleek gray plumage, white wing patches, and long tail, it is easy to spot as it perches in open areas or flits between shrubs. However, what truly sets this bird apart is its impressive vocal ability.
Both male and female mockingbirds sing, although the female is usually quieter than the male. She rarely sings in the summer, and usually only when the male is away from the territory—most frequently in the fall, perhaps to establish a winter territory.
Northern Mockingbirds often mimic the sounds of other birds and environmental sounds such as car alarms and cat meows. Their songs are each repeated two to six times before switching to a new sound and can last 20 seconds or more. Mockingbirds continuously learn new sounds throughout their lives, making each bird’s song unique.
The Northern Mockingbird follows a partial migration pattern, meaning some populations remain year-round while others move seasonally. Birds in warmer climates, such as California and the southern U.S., tend to stay in one place, while those in colder regions migrate south for winter. Their adaptability to urban, coastal, and scrubland environments allows them to thrive in a variety of habitats.
Northern Mockingbird / Photo Credit: NPS
5. Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
The Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) is a distinctive bird of prey that passes through Cabrillo National Monument during migration. Recognized by its long wings, slender body, and flat, owl-like face, this raptor is often seen gliding low over open fields and coastal sage scrub in search of prey. Males, often called “Gray Ghosts,” have pale gray plumage, while females and juveniles are brown with streaked underparts. A white rump patch, visible in flight, is a key field mark for identification.
Unlike other hawks, the Northern Harrier is uniquely adapted for silent, low-altitude hunting. It flies with long, broad wings, allowing it to glide effortlessly with minimal flapping as it cruises just above the ground. A special facial disc of stiff feathers, similar to those found in owls, helps direct sound toward its ears, allowing it to detect the rustling of mice, voles, snakes, and even birds hiding in dense vegetation. When it spots its target, the harrier uses its long tail as an aerial rudder, making swift, precise turns before striking. In areas with water, Northern Harriers have even been observed drowning larger prey such as ducks or shorebirds.
The Northern Harrier follows a medium-to long-distance migration, breeding in marshes and grasslands across the northern U.S. and Canada before migrating south for the winter. While some remain in coastal California year-round, others travel as far as South America to winter.
Northern Harrier / Photo Credit: iNaturalist.org user @vireolanius
See You at the Park!
Spring at Cabrillo National Monument is a paradise for birdwatchers eager to witness migration in action. Whether you’re listening to the haunting song of a Hermit Thrush or watching a Northern Harrier glide over the cliffs, every visit offers a chance to connect with nature and observe the wonders of migration. So, pack your gear and head to Cabrillo this spring--you never know what resident birds or feathered travelers you might see!
Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) is the official philanthropic partner to Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego’s only National Park. With your help, we support programs and initiatives that preserve the rich cultural and natural treasures and enhance the visitor experience at Cabrillo National Monument. Join our work by becoming a monthly member to give-back all year, or make a one-time donation to support one of our ongoing projects that inspires you.