Desert birding habitat

Salton Sea - Poe Road

California · Southwest

Habitat
DesertChaparral
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-May

About This Location

Salton Sea - Poe Road is a productive birding destination in California, with 203 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts a wide variety of species among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.

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

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

5/30/2026Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR--Rock Hill Trail1 observed

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

5/30/2026Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR--Rock Hill Trail1 observed

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

5/26/2026Imperial Irrigation District Wetland Project--Niland2 observed

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

5/26/2026Riverview Cemetery1 observed

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

5/21/2026Alamo River Wetlands Project--Shank Rd.1 observed

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

5/19/2026Salton Sea NWR--Unit 1 [no access north of observation platform] (CA Atlas - Westmorland West NW)1 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

5/19/2026Salton Sea--W Bowles Rd. (west end)1 observed

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri

5/18/2026Salton Sea--Lack Rd. at Grubel Rd. seawall3 observed

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Numenius hudsonicus

5/18/2026Salton Sea--Lack Rd. at Grubel Rd. seawall3 observed

Long-billed Curlew

Numenius americanus

5/18/2026Salton Sea--Lack Rd. at Grubel Rd. seawall1 observed

Laughing Gull

Leucophaeus atricilla

5/18/2026Salton Sea--W Bowles Rd. (west end)2 observed

Heermann's Gull

Larus heermanni

5/18/2026Salton Sea--W Bowles Rd. (west end)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Cinnamon Teal

35/20/2026

Northern Shoveler

25/20/2026

Mallard

645/20/2026

Redhead

215/20/2026

Ruddy Duck

1375/20/2026

White-winged Dove

15/20/2026

Mourning Dove

15/20/2026

Greater Roadrunner

15/20/2026

Common Gallinule

15/20/2026

American Coot

385/20/2026

Black-necked Stilt

835/20/2026

American Avocet

855/20/2026

Killdeer

65/20/2026

Ring-billed Gull

185/20/2026

Black Skimmer

1315/20/2026

Gull-billed Tern

305/20/2026

Caspian Tern

555/20/2026

Forster's Tern

95/20/2026

Pied-billed Grebe

25/20/2026

Western Grebe

15/20/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.

  2. 2

    Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.

  3. 3

    Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Salton Sea - Poe Road for birding?
The best months to visit Salton Sea - Poe Road for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Salton Sea - Poe Road?
Notable species at Salton Sea - Poe Road include Cactus Wren, Greater Roadrunner, Gambel's Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla. The area supports desert, chaparral habitats.
How difficult is birding at Salton Sea - Poe Road?
Birding at Salton Sea - Poe Road is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Salton Sea - Poe Road?
Salton Sea - Poe Road offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.