Mono Lake
California · West
Easy
July-September
$3 per adult (Tufa State Natural Reserve)
Dawn to dusk daily; visitor center hours vary seasonally
About This Location
Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake in the eastern Sierra Nevada that supports enormous populations of brine shrimp and alkali flies, attracting millions of migratory birds. Wilson's Phalaropes and Red-necked Phalaropes gather by the hundreds of thousands, and the tufa towers create a surreal landscape.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Red Crossbill (Ponderosa Pine or type 2)
Loxia curvirostra
Brewer's Sparrow
Spizella breweri
Western Flycatcher (Cordilleran)
Empidonax difficilis
Merlin
Falco columbarius
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
American Kestrel
Pinyon Jay
Birding Tips
- 1
Visit in late summer for peak phalarope numbers
- 2
The South Tufa area has the best access and views
- 3
Fall migration (September-October) brings waves of southbound warblers and raptors
- 4
Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons
- 5
Bring waterproof boots and scan the marsh edges for rails, herons, and bitterns
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Bodie Ghost Town
- Yosemite National Park
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