Tijuana River Reserve, California

Tijuana River Reserve, California

Fauna (Animal Life)

The reserve boasts more than 370 species of birds, of which about 320 are migratory. Birds at the Reserve include four federally listed endangered birds, in the light-footed clapper rail, the California least tern, the least Bell's vireo and the California brown pelican. Peregrine falcons, bald eagles and golden eagles are all occasional visitors as well. The Tijuana River estuary is located along the Pacific Flyway and is used for staging and wintering by a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. Wintering waterfowl include pintail, cinnamon teal, American widgeon, surf scoter and ruddy duck.

Shorebirds account for a large portion of the migratory population. While 20 species occur regularly along the sandflats and mudflats of the estuary, four species, the willet, dowitcher, western sandpiper and marbled godwit, account for a large part of the bird population throughout the year. Abundance and species composition fluctuate seasonally and among habitats with the intertidal sand and mudflats supporting both the largest numbers of individuals and species.

The estuary supports a small mammal population typical of fields and lowland habitats. Rodents, including mice, the California ground squirrel and rabbits are the most common. At least 29 species of fish reside in the small tidal creeks and channels of the estuary. Species in their juvenile stages that are found in the reserve's creeks and streams have included longjaw, mudsucker, northern anchovy and several species of gobies. Adult fish residing here include topsmelt, California killifish, staghorn sculpin and longjaw mudsucker.

Crabs are perhaps the most conspicuous invertebrates in Southern California coastal marshes and the Tijuana River Estuary. Rove beetles burrow in the mud and sandflats. A large population of coastal tiger beetles also lives in these areas. The largest population of the wandering skipper in the United States resides in the Tijuana estuary. Several species of mosquito can be found in the reserve as well. The globose dune beetle and the Belkin's dune fly, both considered threatened, are also found on the reserve site.