Day Trip to Dixon Lake

Several birding friends had suggested that we go and check out Dixon Lake in Escondido so when Eve asked where we should go for a birding day trip, I suggested we give Dixon Lake a look. Dixon Lake is a hidden treasure located about 1000 ft above sea level up in the hills of the city of Escondido. What a wonderful surprise it was to drive up by the boat docks and see this lake for the first time!

Our first look at the lake. What a beautiful sight to drive up to! The grounds were super clean and all the rules and regulations are enforced by friendly  Park Rangers. The grounds were inviting to hikers, fishermen, boaters, birders and anyone that who enjoys the outdoors. This photo was taken by Eve with her phone of one of the fishing docks. There are many docks for fishing and one main dock just for boat rentals.

The first bird that Eve spotted was a Mountain Chickadee, Poecile gambeli measures 5.25 inches long with a wingspan of 8.5 inches. 

But we both spotted this wonderful Ruby-crowned Kinglet and were rewarded with a flash of his ruby red crown feathers! You could look at and take hundreds of photos of this Ruby-crowned and never see the ruby colored feathers on his crown. See the little rectangular black patch just below the white wing bar?  Since you rarely see his ruby crown, that's a good tool for recognizing the Kinglet from similar-looking birds like the Hutton's Vireo.

Close-up.

Another view of the ruby crown.

Look from the backside.

Close-up of the amazing ruby color!

 

One last shot of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 

Looking towards the lake we spot three American White Pelicans swimming towards one of the fishing docks. 

But my approach to the dock turns them away.

Two of the Pelicans decide to take flight. I get a shot of one at the moment of clearing the water. 

A beautiful large bird that appears to glide rather than fly. 

The two pelicans make a large loop and head back towards the lake. 

American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos measures 62 inches long with a wingspan of 108 inches. 

Does a flyby flying north and disappears over some hills. 

 

A faraway look at a male Ring-necked Duck.

Looks like a female Ring-necked Duck is accompanying the male nearby.

 

An adult Black-crowned Night-Heron lands close to us on a rock cropping.

 

Flies closer to the water's edge. 

 

Looking for fish.

 

There were lots of Mallard ducks and the males were already in full breeding plumage. 

 

An uncommon sighting, a Pied-billed Grebe walking onto a rock. I wouldn't call it walking, it was more like wobbling. His legs are beautifully placed far back on his body for maximum efficiency in diving and underwater swimming speed for catching fish... but very awkward for walking on land.

A juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron takes flight. 

 

Looks as though he isn't sure where he wants to go.

Finally decides to land on the boat dock but gets chased off by an adult Night-Heron.

The juvenile decides to come back to the base of the fishing dock where he'd been hunting for fish before his big adventure to the boat dock. 

I love juvenile birds. They always look like they are a little out of control. 

 He sure has a cute expression. 

Love his orange eyes and green beak. 

Eve and I decided to check out the west side of the lake and drove over to see what the campgrounds looked like. Taking a hiking trail, I saw lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers, California Towhees and this little sparrow that I was not quite sure of his ID. However, If this is a Golden-crowned Sparrow, it is another "life bird" for me. Zonotrichia atricapilla measures 7.25 inches long with a wingspan of 9.5 inches. Whatever he is, he is a very handsome sparrow. 

A close-up of this cutie. 

We went back by the ranger station and found a concession stand and decided to get a little snack to fuel up for another hike to check out the east side of the lake.  As we reached the trail that followed the lake south, we saw many groupings of Ruddy Ducks along with lots and lots of American Coots. 

 

There were half a dozen or more pairs of Gadwall ducks throughout the lake. 

We walked about a half mile of trail that followed the lake heading south and were treated to our first sighting of Bufflehead ducks of the season! What a great morning this has been but now It's time to head for home. We are definitely coming back to this breathtakingly beautiful lake and great birding spot!

Have a great week everyone!