Finding Birds at the Salton Sea and in Imperial County, California

Want to see dozens of Yellow-footed Gulls and Wood Storks? Listen for fresh-water Clapper Rails? Hear thousands of Snow and Ross's Geese honking as they rise into the air? Watch a Peregrine Falcon send thousands of shorebirds into frenzied flight? Look over a sea of black & white - marvel at the sight of hundreds of White-faced Ibis and egrets feeding in a flooded alfalfa field? Search for rarities like Mountain Plover, longspurs, and Sprague's Pipit?

A magnet for rarities, breeding birds, and birders, the Salton Sea is the largest lake in California. No matter the season, you can spend a day here and find thousands of birds of a hundred-plus species. Scoters, Jaegers, and Wood Storks are an annual occurrence at the Sea, and are sometimes joined by Magnificent Frigatebirds and Blue-footed Boobies. The list of rarities seen here over the years reads like a Who's Who of birds seen in all corners of the United States.

In addition to the Salton Sea, Imperial County has many other exciting birding destinations. This book will take you to 4 of these great spots, from the Colorado River in the east to the Laguna Mountains in the west. We'll help you find the elusive Black Rail, showy Vermilion Flycatchers, secretive Le Conte's & Crissal Thrashers, and handsome Lawrence's Goldfinches. Join us on a grand birding adventure you'll never forget!