Lake Cuyamaca is a premier destination for both serious and casual wildlife and bird watchers and photographers. The lake is surrounded on three sides by the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and is three miles west of the desert rim and Anza Borrego State Park. ​

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 early evening. Counts as high as 30 to 40 are common.

The same areas will have bobcats, coyotes, skunks and raccoons providing better entertainment than can be seen on any nature show on TV.

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, mountain, chaparral and aquatic habitats.

In fact, San Diego County has recorded over 475 bird species, more than any other county in the U.S.

Since the Cedar Fire, the bird variety and count may vary, but the following checklist will give you an idea of the bird species that visit the area during the year.​