[Tweeters] Salton Sea

[Shelf Life Community Story Project]

If you pass through Palm Springs, there is a very reliable Vermillion Flycatcher in Wellness Park in the Movie Colony neighborhood. Always hangs out near the sports field fence, where an elementary school borders on the park. Last month he was there hanging out with a Black Phoebe. 

Jill


> On Feb 12, 2023, at 3:08 PM, Rob Britschgi <rob.britschgi at gmail.com> wrote:

> 

> Just came from the Big Morongo Preserve and can’t agree more that it is truly a sweet spot!! The phainopepla are just one species that never disappoint 

> 

> Sent from my iPhone

> 

>> On 12-Feb-2023, at 13:22, dick at dkporter.net wrote:

>> 

>> We were Snowbirds for 6 winters in the Coachella Valley and I birded the Salton Sea quite a bit.  Here's a list of Ebird Hotspots that would give you almost all the birds seen on or around the Sea in February/March.  We were last there in 2020 and I know the Sea continues to recede.  There is a full-service campground at the State Park headquarters on the NE side and camping also available at a couple of sites (Covina and Mecca) just south of there.  A Scope is necessary to view out on the Sea and up and down the shoreline. And don't be afraid to follow the paved areas or solid roads to get closer to the water (don't try driving the dikes on the South End nor going on the sand - I've been stuck!)

>> 

>> NORTHEAST

>> BEST - Salton Sea SRA - Headquarters and Campground (look for birds around the Entrance Kiosk area also)

>> Also - Salton Sea - Northshore Marina

>> And - Salton Sea SRA - Salt Creek Beach (check out towards the North where the creek came in .)

>> 

>> EAST SIDE

>> BEST - Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR - Union Tract/Visitor Center (take the Rock Hill trail out to the sea and towards the North, worth 2 hours of your time.)

>> Also - Salton Sea - Garst Rd/Morton Bay

>> And - there are numerous hotspots around the Southeast side and South end, you can drive along the breakwaters and between the agricultural fields, check Ebird for recent rarities, including Plovers.

>> 

>> SOUTH END

>> BEST - Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR - Vendel Road

>> BEST - Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR - Unit 1

>> 

>> WEST SIDE

>> Nothing worth spending your time on unless you want to see remnants of a 1950s recreation land boom.

>> 

>> NORTHWEST CORNER

>> BEST - Salton Sea - 84th Ave (the sea used to come right up to the road end, now you will have to walk out a fair bit to get a look at the birds - best views to the North.

>> Also - Oasis - Aqua Farming Technology Ponds. Just drive in the driveway, park and look around for workers. I was never accosted, I just asked politely if I could bird - no problem

>> 

>> 

>> For some much prettier birding Hotspots north and west of the Coachella Valley try Whitewater Preserve, Big Morongo Preserve and San Jacinto Wildlife area.

>> 

>> Good birding,

>> Dick

>> 

>> -----Original Message-----

>> From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces at mailman11.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Fleckenstein

>> Sent: Friday, February 10, 2023 12:45 PM

>> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu

>> Subject: [Tweeters] Salton Sea

>> 

>> Friends,

>> My wife and I are going to spend a few days at the Salton Sea. Looks like California Audubon has a good web site for locating birds (along with eBird). Any suggestions for don’t miss locations? I’m also looking for a spot to park our travel trailer. We can dry camp or have utilities. I’m more concerned about not being in a dust bowl especially if the wind is off the water. Any suggestions?

>> 

>> John Fleckenstein

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