Yesterday, my wife and I visited the Fullerton Arboretum with two simple goals: take a relaxing walk through its beautiful landscapes and do some birding. The walk was easy, and the scenery was serene—a rare accomplishment for a small arboretum nestled in a busy urban area.
Birding, however, was more challenging. But despite the difficulty, I managed to spot a lifer!
What’s a Lifer?
In birding, a lifer is a big deal.
In birding terminology, a “lifer” refers to the first time a birder observes a particular bird species in their lifetime. This term is commonly used among birdwatchers to denote a personal milestone, as each new species added to one’s “life list”—a record of all species an individual has seen—represents a “lifer.” – Audubon.org
My lifer for the day was a Townsend’s Warbler. Unlike some birders, my life list is based on photography, not field observations. Since I’m colorblind, my visual memory isn’t reliable for recalling or even distinguishing bird coloration—making identification tricky. Photography allows me to use AI tools, identification apps, and expert verification to confirm my sightings.
Other Bird Sightings
In addition to my lifer, I identified two more new species for my 2025 Bird Nerd Project.
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Black-throated Gray Warbler
Beyond these, I only captured six more birds during our visit—all species I had already logged for the project.
Observations & Future Visits
We plan to revisit the arboretum in five or six weeks, once the flowering plants start to bloom. I can easily see this space attracting nectar-eating birds and seed eaters as the season changes.
One surprise was the lack of water birds. We only saw two Canada Geese and two Mallard hybrids, which was unexpected given the habitat.
A Perfect Way to End the Day
After leaving the arboretum, we took advantage of the location and stopped in downtown Fullerton for a delicious sandwich from Roscoe’s—but that’s a story for another time.
Peanuts In My Pocket 
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