Date: 12/18/25 8:31 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Thick-billed Longspurs at Brown Field on Otay Mesa
Angela Johnson discovered two Thick-billed Longspurs in a flock of about 125 Horned Larks and some pipits on Brown Field up on Otay Mesa. Being inside the airport is off limits but currently the birds would be visible from the outside fence with a good scope from the corner of Otay Mesa Road and Pacific Rim Court. This is in the southwest corner of the airport property. If you look north from along Otay Mesa Road into the grassy area there toward the two flags that are blue and red and say "Go Fast," then you're in the right area. Obviously one needs to find the Horned Lark flock. These two birds look like dull female House Sparrows with slightly swollen, fleshy bills. One of them has a rufous shoulder.
Earlier this morning I was at Sunnyslope Park in residential Otay Mesa/ Nestor, and had continuing Summer and Western tanagers and a female Hooded Oriole.
Paul Lehman, San Diego
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