Wetland birding habitat

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center

California · Southwest

Habitat
Wetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

October-May

About This Location

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center is a productive birding destination in California, with 283 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts Snow Goose, Eurasian Collared-Dove, and Common Ground Dove 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

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

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

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

5/26/2026Riverview Cemetery1 observed

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

5/25/2026New River--Carter Rd. and Fites Rd.3 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

Gambel's Quail

15/26/2026

Eurasian Collared-Dove

55/26/2026

White-winged Dove

15/26/2026

Mourning Dove

35/26/2026

Black Phoebe

15/26/2026

Verdin

45/26/2026

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

15/26/2026

European Starling

25/26/2026

House Sparrow

55/26/2026

Wilson's Warbler

15/26/2026

Western Tanager

15/26/2026

Common Ground Dove

15/19/2026

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

15/19/2026

Western Kingbird

15/19/2026

Northern Mockingbird

15/19/2026

House Finch

25/19/2026

Greater Roadrunner

15/15/2026

Western Cattle-Egret

15/15/2026

Abert's Towhee

35/15/2026

Western Meadowlark

35/15/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.

  2. 2

    Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.

  3. 3

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center for birding?
The best months to visit Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center?
Notable species at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center include Snow Goose, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Common Ground Dove, Black Phoebe, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. The area supports wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center?
Birding at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
What amenities are available at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center?
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge - Union Tract / Visitor Center offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Auto Tour Route.