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

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostris

3/4/2026stakeout Broad-billed Hummingbird, Salinas (2026)1 observed

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostris

3/4/2026stakeout Broad-billed Hummingbird, Salinas (2026)1 observed

Williamson's Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus thyroideus

3/4/2026Sapsucker Stakeout1 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle x Audubon's)

Setophaga coronata

3/4/2026Thousand Oaks Park (SCL Co.)1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/4/2026Ramona Community Park1 observed

Green-tailed Towhee

Pipilo chlorurus

3/4/2026Tijuana Slough NWR--South McCoy Trail area1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Mission Bay--De Anza Cove & Point1 observed

Lewis's Woodpecker

Melanerpes lewis

3/4/20263011 Pine Hills Road, Julian, California, US (33.076, -116.618)1 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

3/4/2026Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Malibu US-CA 34.09152, -118.809221 observed

Cassin's Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

3/4/2026Pacific Commons Linear Park1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

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

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

3/4/2026Belvedere Park Lake1 observed

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

3/4/2026Whaley Park1 observed

Canyon Towhee

Melozone fusca

3/4/2026Palm Springs Aerial Tramway--base2 observed

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

3/4/2026Brookhurst Marsh1 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

3/4/2026Harborview Park and Freshwater Marsh - CBA 100371 observed

Cassin's Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

3/4/2026Brushy Peak Regional Park1 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.