Ty Lamar
Ty Lamar
Ty Lamar (He/Him)
Ty has been an animal and bird lover for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Arizona, he was surrounded by animals thanks to his dad, who raised turkeys and pigeons. “I grew up in a coop with the birds,” Ty likes to say, reflecting on a childhood filled with feathers, curiosity, and an early bond with the natural world.
After moving to San Diego, it wasn’t until the quiet, uncertain days of the COVID-19 pandemic that Ty truly began his personal journey into birding. In May 2020, he discovered a Great Horned Owl family in Presidio Park—and everything changed.
He began making daily visits to observe them and considers them his “spark bird,” the species that lit the fire for what would become a deep and lasting passion. Wanting to observe them ethically, Ty bought his first pair of binoculars, and from that point on, he was hooked.
That same year, Ty took his first birding trip to Yosemite, which opened his eyes even further to the magic of birdwatching. The experience inspired him to begin researching bird migration patterns throughout the region, and he hasn’t looked back since. Whether he's in the coastal salt marshes or the pine forests of Cuyamaca, Ty finds joy, peace, and wonder in every birding adventure.
But for Ty, birding is about more than just the birds—it's about connection. He loves sharing his passion with others and finds real joy in being part of the Southern California birding community, where stories, sightings, and smiles are shared just as often as field guides. For Ty, every bird is a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us—and the joy of discovering it together.