This page was last modified
on May 06, 2003
Lake Cuyamaca is a premier destination for the serious and casual wildlife
watcher, birder and photographer. Surrounded on 3 sides by the Cuyamaca Rancho
State Park and 3 miles west of the desert rim and Anza Borrego State Park there
is no other spot with the diversity of habitats in such a small area.
Deer abound around the lake and can readily be seen in the State Park meadows
just south of the lake virtually any early morning or late evening. Counts as
high as 30 to 40 individuals are common. The same areas will have bobcats,
coyotes, skunks and raccoons providing better entertainment than can be seen on
any of the nature shows on TV. These animals are wild and yet are used to people
watching from a distance. There is no better area for wildlife watching in
California.
Birders are drawn to Lake Cuyamaca because of the large variety of birds from
desert, montane, chaparral and aquatic habitats that can be seen. In fact San
Diego County has recorded over 475 bird species, more than any other county in
the U.S.. The following is a checklist compiled by District naturalist Clint
Powell. Mr. Powell also chairs the annual Christmas bird count and conducts a
nature walk around Lake Cuyamaca the first Sunday of every month. This list
conforms to A.O.U. checklist, 1993.
Abbreviations:
