Thurs- Sunday, Jan. 2-5

The immense Salton Sea (343 square miles), located in southern California in the Imperial Valley, is a winter hot-spot for thousands of birds of all kinds, including ducks, rails, egrets, pelicans, ibis, cranes, geese, gulls and raptors. Over 400 species have been recorded around the sea and the surrounding Colorado Desert palm oases and preserves! These include Costa’s hummingbird, Greater Roadrunner, Cattle egret, Phainopepla, Cactus Wren, Verdin, Ladder-backed woodpecker, Le Conte’s thrasher, Gila woodpeckers, Gambel’s quail and many others. Raptors such as Osprey, Merlin and Peregrine falcon are found locally, as well as Great Horned and Burrowing owls. Other desert wildlife we may spy includes Kit fox, Blacktailed jackrabbit, Zebratail lizards, Kangaroo Rats and Desert tortoise, among many. This four-day, three night tour will provide many opportunities to explore and observe the exciting birds and wildlife in many sites, often in great numbers. The Calipatra Inn, just south of the Salton Sea in Calipatra, will be our group HQ for the weekend, but you may choose from many other lodging options in the area. We anticipate observing at least 75 bird species during the four day stay, including many local desert specialties. Temps should be mild, in the 60s and 70s. Among many sites we plan to visit are the Sonny Bono NWR, Algodones Dunes, Coachella Valley Bird Center and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Our adventure begins Thursday at noon at the Calipatra Inn. Check with me for ground transportation options on the tour, including pick up at the San Diego airport.