a mountain with yellow flowers

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

California · Southwest

Habitat
River/RiparianUrban Park
Best Seasons
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

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

5/31/2026Tijuana River Valley--Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)2 observed

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

5/31/2026Tijuana River Valley--Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)3 observed

Hooded Oriole (nelsoni Group)

Icterus cucullatus

5/31/2026Bayshore Bikeway--13th Street (Ponds 22/20)1 observed

Snowy Plover (Northern)

Anarhynchus nivosus

5/31/2026Bayshore Bikeway--13th Street (Ponds 22/20)4 observed

White Wagtail

Motacilla alba

5/31/2026Rose Creek Inlet to Mission Bay1 observed

Downy x Nuttall's Woodpecker (hybrid)

Dryobates pubescens x nuttallii

5/31/2026Mission Valley Preserve/Sefton Park1 observed

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

5/31/2026Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (no birding 8a-5p)1 observed

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's)

Zonotrichia leucophrys

5/31/2026Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (no birding 8a-5p)1 observed

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

5/30/2026Lake Murray--southeast side1 observed

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

5/30/2026Mission Bay Park, San Diego US-CA (32.7586,-117.2421)1 observed

Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

5/30/2026Lower Otay Reservoir--east arm pullouts (including North Pt. gate)2 observed

Black Swift

Cypseloides niger

5/29/2026Balboa Park--Grape Street Dog Park1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Mourning Dove

15/31/2026

Anna's Hummingbird

45/31/2026

Allen's Hummingbird

85/31/2026

Great Egret

25/31/2026

Downy Woodpecker

15/31/2026

Western Flycatcher

15/31/2026

American Crow

15/31/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

45/31/2026

Wrentit

15/31/2026

Swinhoe's White-eye

25/31/2026

Northern Mockingbird

15/31/2026

House Finch

205/31/2026

Lesser Goldfinch

305/31/2026

American Goldfinch

105/31/2026

Song Sparrow

65/31/2026

California Towhee

15/31/2026

Yellow-breasted Chat

55/31/2026

Hooded Oriole

15/31/2026

Common Yellowthroat

45/31/2026

Northern Yellow Warbler

55/31/2026

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.