Land Bird Migration in Full Swing, Coastal Clouds Linger

“June Gloom,” the generally dreary, overcast, late-spring weather along San Diego’s coastline, has already begun and could intensify next month. Occasionally, the low clouds will stick around for several days. This is usually triggered by a “Catalina eddy,” in which moist marine air drawn inland from the area around Santa Catalina Island forms low clouds over a wide area. In the absence of Catalina eddy conditions, San Diego’s inland areas, at least, experience plenty of midday and afternoon sunshine.

Land Bird Migration is in full swing next month in San Diego County, with warblers and fly catchers among those most commonly seen. Warblers crawl along tree limbs and branches to dine on their favorite insects, while fly catchers, as the name suggests, catch their meals on the wing. Riparian areas such as the San Diego River through Mission Gorge and Marian Bear Memorial Park in San Clemente Canyon are favored by both birds and birdwatchers.

Spring Wildflowers may have largely dried up in most areas of San Diego County, but in the cooler coastal enclaves such as Cabrillo National Monument and Torrey Pines State Reserve, several kinds remain. Look for paintbrush, purple nightshade, coreopsis, sea fig, popcorn flower, and red monkey flower, among others.

Enjoy the increasing Daylight! By the end of May, we’ll have over 14 hours between sunrise and sunset! The days will continue to get longer until the summer solstice on June 21.