First Time to Visit Salton Sea, California - Need Advice.

[Loi Nguyen]

I will be visiting Salton Sea in California for the first time this week looking for Burrowing Owls and other birds. Not sure if we are too late for the migration season. Would love to get some tips from folks who are familiar with this area. Thank you in advance. Loi

[Dan Brown]

Hi Loi. I haven't been down there for 2 years but I think that I can help you. I like to stay at the Calipatria Inn (Calipatria) You can stay in Brawley but Calipatria is closer to the better spots, especially for Burrowing Owls. The Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR ( http://www.fws.gov/saltonsea/ ) is a good place to start. You can get maps there and they have feeders for some nice species like Abert's Towhee and Gambel's Quail. They also have a current bird sighting list that you can check for stuff. You can walk the trail there during migration and do well but you will probably be late for that. For the Owls, Kalin rd has been good and Garst rd. Be careful, the farmers and energy plant workers drive very fast on all roads!! The other thing I like to do is drive the roads that run along the south and east side of the sea, starting near the visitor center and just drive looking for terns, gulls, ospery, etc. It is best in the morning but the evening can be good also, although the light is in your face but if you find something good, you can get the light behind you. Another good spot is Finney and Ramer Lakes, located between Calipatria and Brawley along highway 111 ( http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&gs_rn=12&gs_ri=psy-ab&pq=salton+sea+state+park&cp=10&gs_id=2j&xhr=t&q=finney+lake&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&biw=1777&bih=861&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl )

Also, if you have time, the Salton Sea State Park can be good for terns, gulls, shorebirds and nighthawks. This is about 40 miles north on highway 111 ( http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=639 ).

Kerry Perkins probably has many more tips, as he lives down there somewhere? You should PM him, if he doesn't chime in here. Good luck, dan

[Loi Nguyen]

Dan, Thank you very much for your info. Much appreciated. I also got some tips from Kerry as well, so I'm loaded and ready to go!

You folks are fantastic!!!

Loi

[John Walker]

Try http://southwestbirders.com/swb_birdfinding_salton_sea.htm for information.

hope it helps and good luck