Surveys and Monitoring of Coastal Cactus Wren in Southern San Diego County (ver. 6.0, March 2026)

Data presented are results of surveys and monitoring for San Diego Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in southern San Diego County. These data were collected to assess Cactus Wren population status following 3 years of drought and determine the relationships between specific elements of habitat quality, food availability, and Cactus Wren productivity and survival. Surveys were conducted periodically at 35 plots that were last surveyed in 2012. A subset of Cactus Wren territories were monitored in the Otay and Sweetwater/San Diego genetic clusters to ascertain Cactus Wren breeding productivity, survival, and associated vegetation composition and structure. Nesting data were compiled to present seasonal productivity for each Cactus Wren pair. All nestlings and adults (when possible) were color banded with unique color combinations to identify individuals on subsequent visits to provide data on survival within and between years. Habitat data were collected at survey plots during the first year of the survey and at monitoring sites during all years.