Memories of Palomar Mountain

2013-05-29 Palomar Mountain Birds

Palomar Mountain rises near the northern boundary of San Diego County and divides the watersheds of the San Luis Rey and the Santa Margarita River systems. It is a long mountain extending east to west and is the third highest peak in the county. Its biggest claim-to-fame is the 200-inch Hale Telescope and observatory. For many years, it was the world’s largest telescope, and remains so if you disqualify the modern matrix telescopes and specify ‘single piece of glass’ telescopes.

It was not stars and planets I sought to observe this day, so I visited other locations along the mountain and its southern flanks. The route I chose followed the course of the San Luis Rey River, at the southern foot of the mountain. I stopped at a picnic area under the oak canopy along the river. “River” is a term that only loosely applies to any stream in southern California. I was told I might find Willow Flycatchers upstream from the picnic area, but I did not.

I continued east towards Lake Henshaw and then westward, ascending East Grade Road up the slopes of the mountain where commanding views look south over most of north San Diego County. I meandered and explored my way west until I found myself at the top of Nate Harrison Grade, then followed its dirt road and switch-backs down the southern face of the mountain to the valley below.

Until recently, friends of mine owned a cabin in Agua Tibia, on the northern slopes of Palomar Mountain. Visiting them at this property provided me with the opportunity to enjoy the birds and wildlife on that side of the mountain.

The birds I have met on the mountain were Common Yellow-Throat, Spotted Towhee, Dark-Eyed Junco, Ash-Throated Flycatcher, Northern Flicker, Pacific-Slope Flycatcher, Black-Chinned Sparrow, Olive-Sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Oak Titmouse, Wrentit.

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