Hi Clare,

When I visit my brother in Santa Barbara (technically he lives in
Goleta, just north) there are a few places we always go. One of them
is just south of the airport--I've walked there rolling my carry-on
luggage: Goleta Beach County Park. Google it. After you walk or drive
over a small bridge taking you into the parking lot, turn left, park,
and continue walking. There's a great little inlet that will now be
on your left. Lots of egrets, herons, dowtchers, sandpipers, etc.

There are also White Kites, generally rare but fairly common in Santa
Barbara if you know where to look. You may see them at Santa Barbara
Shores County Park, which includes trails up along the bluff
overlooking the ocean. I've seen kites, vultures, lots of passerines,
hummingbirds, and, in the water, dolphins.

Of course the great thing about Santa Barbara is you can count on
balmy weather for walking as much of the day as you like.

Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA
www.songbirdphoto.com

At 12:35 PM 2/11/2014, Clare McLean wrote:
>Hello,
>
>Please feel free to share any suggestions re good birding/nature
>sites for mid-March in the areas surrounding Santa Barbara.
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Clare McLean
>clareishere at hotmail.com
>Seattle, WA