Reptiles Flora Geology Sounds Student Research Younger Lagoon is part of the natural range of many terrestrial birds, and is separated from the wild areas of the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains by a short flight across agricultural land. This burrowing owl was photographed while overwintering here. Many species stop at the lagoon while on migration from north to south along the coastal flyway.
Many shorebirds feed in the lagoon throughout the year.
Breeding birds are mostly in the shrub and willows along the edges of the lagoon, or on the backdune. The birds of Younger Lagoon create a riot of sounds. The Field Checklist of the Birds of the Younger Lagoon Area and Key was compiled by Breck Tyler, who spent many years doing survey work and bird banding at Younger Lagoon. His fully annotated checklist is available at the Long Marine Lab bookstore.