There are so many bird species in San Diego County that we would love to highlight for National Bird Day but one that is particularly special to us is the light-footed Ridgway’s rail. The Federally endangered hen-sized marsh bird lives on salt marsh and brackish marsh habitats like the ones found within San Diego Refuges. In fact, these refuges were established to primarily conserve fish and wildlife which are Federally-listed as endangered or threatened species.
You can help us continue to protect this and other threatened or endangered species by simply staying on established trails to prevent trampling plants which causes habitat or nest losses.

Photo of light-footed Ridgway’s rail extending its wings (Andrew Fisher/USFWS).