The Harris's Hawks of San Diego County
When most people visit San Diego, they hit the beaches. Or Balboa Park, or Old Town, or the many other iconic San Diego destinations. Generally speaking, they do not drive an hour east into the desert to the tiny border town of Jacumba Hot Springs. But all those people on the beaches are missing out on seeing some very special birds that have moved into the neighborhood from across state lines, and now call the quiet town of Jacumba, California home. It probably goes without saying that a high priority on my somewhat unique list of things to do on our recent visit to San Diego was to make the drive over to Jacumba to find these birds. But, you might ask, what kind of bird would entice me away from the heart of sunny San Diego, into a tiny town of 597 people, nestled in the rocky desert and known for its "magical, mystical waters," "energy vortex," and excellent view of the border wall? The answer: Harris's Hawks. Most commonly a resident of scrubby desert r