Cactus Wren Foraging and Invertebrates Study

Surveys and monitoring for the coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) were completed in San Diego County between March 2015 and July 2019. A total of 383 plots were surveyed across 3 genetic clusters (Otay, Lake Jennings, and Sweetwater/Encanto). From 2015 to 2019, 317 plots were surveyed 8 times (twice per year in 2015, 2017–19). Additional plots were added in later years as wrens were discovered in new locations. We found differences in the proportion of plots occupied in the genetic clusters, with a lower proportion of plots occupied in the Otay cluster than in the Lake Jennings and Sweetwater/Encanto clusters in all years. Plot occupancy increased each year in the Otay and Sweetwater/Encanto clusters but not in the Lake Jennings cluster. The number of Cactus Wren territories increased from 2015 through 2018, and then decreased in 2019 in all three genetic clusters.

Other
completed
Project Focus

Coastal cactus wren

coastal sage scrub

Annabelle Bernabe

Kris Preston

File name Lead Author Year Type
Distribution and Demography of Coastal Cactus Wrens in Southern California, 2015-2019 Lynn, Suellen; Houston, Alexandra; Kus, Barbara 2022 report
Project Files