Salton Sea

California · Southwest

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandDesertCoastal

Best Seasons

WinterSpring

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

November-April

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Sunrise to sunset daily

About This Location

The Salton Sea is California's largest lake and an accidental creation that has become a vital oasis for birds in the Sonoran Desert. Despite environmental challenges, it remains a critical stopover on the Pacific Flyway, hosting enormous numbers of shorebirds, pelicans, and occasional rarities.

Location

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Notable Species

Yellow-footed Gull Gull-billed Tern Burrowing Owl Abert's Towhee Crissal Thrasher

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/2026Pacheco Lane Pond (40.8668,-124.1143)1 observed

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

3/4/2026Brookhurst Marsh1 observed

Cassin's Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

3/4/2026Brushy Peak Regional Park1 observed

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

3/4/2026Brushy Peak Regional Park10 observed

Western Cattle-Egret

Ardea ibis

3/4/2026Bayshore Bikeway--10th Street (Pond 23)2 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

3/4/2026Doris Japanese Garden1 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

3/4/2026Doris Japanese Garden1 observed

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

3/4/2026Vacation Isle1 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

3/4/2026Bolsa Chica--Interpretive Center/Bolsa Bay4 observed

Costa's Hummingbird

Calypte costae

3/4/2026Poly Canyon1 observed

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri

3/4/2026Bruceville Road2 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/4/2026Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity1 observed

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

3/4/2026Corona Heights Park1 observed

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

3/4/2026Hwy 101 Tipus (Solana Beach)1 observed

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

3/4/2026Susanville Effluent Ponds1 observed

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Poecile rufescens

3/4/2026Cole Rd.2 observed

Abert's Towhee

Melozone aberti

3/4/2026Indian Canyons--Murray Canyon1 observed

California Towhee

Melozone crissalis

3/4/2026Joshua Tree NP--Jumbo Rocks Campground1 observed

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

3/4/2026Joshua Tree NP--Jumbo Rocks Campground4 observed

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

3/4/2026Joshua Tree NP--Jumbo Rocks Campground4 observed

Recent Observations

Turkey Vulture

Foxdale Drive, Desert Hot Springs, California, US (33.967, -116.49)

3/4/2026

150 birds

American Crow

My yard

3/4/2026

4 birds

Bushtit

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Lesser Goldfinch

My yard

3/4/2026

8 birds

White-crowned Sparrow

My yard

3/4/2026

4 birds

House Sparrow

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mourning Dove

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

California Scrub-Jay

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

My yard

3/4/2026

15 birds

Anna's Hummingbird

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Mockingbird

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

My yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

Cooper's Hawk

My yard

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cedar Waxwing

My yard

3/4/2026

3 birds

Pygmy Nuthatch

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

4 birds

Townsend's Warbler

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Sunset Blvd. at Quintara St. intersection and vicinity

3/4/2026

1 birds

California Towhee

Gattuso home 9515 Via Cielo, Atascadero, California, US (35.456, -120.624)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Rock Pigeon

Permanente Creek Trail

3/4/2026

6 birds

Birding Tips

1
Check the south end near Sonny Bono NWR for the best variety
2
Summer heat can be extreme; bring plenty of water

Amenities

Parking

Nearby Attractions

Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

More in California

Point Reyes National Seashore

Pacific Coast peninsula with 490+ species and a magnet for rare vagrants.

Mono Lake

Ancient saline lake with millions of migratory birds and surreal tufa towers.

Elkhorn Slough

Major California coastal wetland on Monterey Bay with 340+ bird species.

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Winter Birding Tips: How to Bird in the Cold

7 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Salton Sea for birding?▼

The best months to visit Salton Sea for birding are November-April. The best seasons are Winter and Spring.

What birds can I see at Salton Sea?▼

Notable species at Salton Sea include Yellow-footed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Burrowing Owl, Abert's Towhee, Crissal Thrasher. The area supports wetland, desert, coastal habitats.

How difficult is birding at Salton Sea?▼

Birding at Salton Sea is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Salton Sea?▼

There is no entrance fee at Salton Sea. Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily.

What amenities are available at Salton Sea?▼

Salton Sea offers the following amenities: Parking.