Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)

California · Southwest

Habitat
River/RiparianUrban Park
Best Seasons
FallWinterSpring
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

October-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open daily, dawn to dusk

About This Location

Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch) is a productive birding destination in California, with 259 species recorded on eBird. This river/riparian and urban park habitat attracts Anna's Hummingbird, White-tailed Kite, and Red-tailed Hawk among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Townsend's x Hermit Warbler (hybrid)

Setophaga townsendi x occidentalis

3/5/2026Spreckels Park & Public Library1 observed

Red-throated Pipit

Anthus cervinus

3/5/2026South Clairemont Community Park1 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/5/2026Harry Griffen Regional Park1 observed

Rock Pigeon

Columba livia

3/5/2026San Diego River mudflats (including Robb Field & Quivira Way)6 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

3/5/2026San Diego Bay NWR--SoCal Saltworks (restricted access)1 observed

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

3/5/2026San Diego River mudflats (including Robb Field & Quivira Way)1 observed

Western x Clark's Grebe (hybrid)

Aechmophorus occidentalis x clarkii

3/5/2026San Diego River mudflats (including Robb Field & Quivira Way)1 observed

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

3/5/2026Tijuana River Valley--Sunset Ave east of Hollister4 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/5/2026Tijuana River Valley--Sunset Ave east of Hollister1 observed

Plumbeous Vireo

Vireo plumbeus

3/5/2026Harry Griffen Regional Park1 observed

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

3/5/2026Tijuana River Valley--Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)1 observed

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

3/5/2026Famosa Slough1 observed

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

3/5/2026Home 2909 Brant St1 observed

White-winged Scoter

Melanitta deglandi

3/5/2026Vacation Isle1 observed

Western Cattle-Egret

Ardea ibis

3/5/2026Bayshore Bikeway--10th Street (Pond 23)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Anna's Hummingbird

13/5/2026

White-tailed Kite

23/5/2026

Red-tailed Hawk

13/5/2026

Northern Flicker

13/5/2026

American Kestrel

13/5/2026

Song Sparrow

13/5/2026

Mallard

13/5/2026

Mourning Dove

13/5/2026

Turkey Vulture

13/5/2026

Northern Harrier

23/5/2026

Red-shouldered Hawk

23/5/2026

Merlin

13/5/2026

Black Phoebe

13/5/2026

Common Raven

13/5/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

13/5/2026

Swinhoe's White-eye

23/5/2026

Lesser Goldfinch

33/5/2026

White-crowned Sparrow

33/5/2026

California Towhee

33/5/2026

Orange-crowned Warbler

23/5/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Walk along the water slowly, scanning overhanging branches for kingfishers and warblers.

  2. 2

    Check sandbars and gravel bars for shorebirds and terns.

  3. 3

    Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.

  4. 4

    Arrive early in the morning for peak bird activity and to secure parking at popular viewing areas.

  5. 5

    Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch) for birding?
The best months to visit Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch) for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)?
Notable species at Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch) include Anna's Hummingbird, White-tailed Kite, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, European Starling, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Common Gallinule, Hutton's Vireo, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Yellow-crowned Night Heron. The area supports river/riparian, urban park habitats.
How difficult is birding at Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)?
Birding at Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch) is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)?
There is no entrance fee at Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch). Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk.
What amenities are available at Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)?
Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch) offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.