On Sunday, December 14, SoCal Nerds and WorldBeat Cultural Center
gathered for a refreshing morning of birdwatching along the Harriet Tubman Trail. A classic San Diego winter morning—foggy, cool, and comfortable— set the tone as about 25 participants came
together, including more than a dozen
first-time bird nerds, creating a refreshingly diverse group
beyond traditional birding circles.
The morning began with a warm welcome, introductions, and light refreshments from WorldBeat Cultural Center and SoCal Bird Nerds. During the opening, facilitators shared helpful tips on locating birds, along with guidance on improving binocular use. As the walk unfolded, birds were singing their hearts out along the trail, we continued the walk up Presidents Way and then down Paseo de Oro. As we walked up the
Pepper Grove Canyon hill there were so many birds playing from pine trees to oak canopies throughout Pepper Grove Canyon.
Some of the birds spotted included red-tailed hawks, yellowrumped warblers, northern house wrens, and
California towhees. First-time participants shared how meaningful it
was to find a community where they could be themselves — surrounded by people who
“nerd out” over the same things and create space for curiosity, joy, and
connection. For both organizations, fostering welcoming access to nature and outdoor recreation like birding is a shared passion. Birdwatching supports mind, body, and spirit, encouraging
mindfulness, gentle movement, and a deeper relationship with the natural world.
For WorldBeat Cultural Center, this program also honors ancestral traditions of spending time outdoors
just the way enslaved Africans and Harriet Tubman understood seasonal cycles, observing animal and bird migration, and using environmental knowledge for survival and freedom.
SoCal Bird Nerds is a friendly, inclusive community of bird lovers dedicated to learning and
celebrating together. Founding members include Tammah Watts, Olivia Arizmendi, Krystal, Julian
Jones, Ty Lamar, Kevin Baca, and others who continue to lead with
openness and care.
This gathering marks the beginning of a bi-monthly birding series at WorldBeat
Cultural Center. All experience levels are welcome, and binoculars are not required.
Stay tuned to WorldBeat Cultural Center’s website and social media for the February date announcement.
