Friday, March 29, 2013

Borrego Valley Hawkwatch 2013 - Part II

March 29, 2013

Well, still having a great time despite the heat. The highlight of the last week or so was a trip to Salton Sea with my birding friends Wes and Rose. We left early and made a great day of it, seeing 54 species of birds. The weather was cooler than expected making for a gorgeous day. We stopped many places, but our main stop was the visitor center at the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge. We walked the trail up to Obsidian Butte and hiked up for a beautiful view of the Salton Sea and surrounding areas. I won't list all the birds, but the highlights for me were Burrowing Owl, Savannah Sparrow, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Nashville Warbler, White-tailed Kite, and a "flock" (?) of at least 90 White Pelicans soaring overhead. We enjoyed a nice Italian lunch in Brawley and headed back to Borrego Springs, arriving just in time to watch about 100 Swainson's fly in over the Evening Site. Great day!


Obsidian Butte near Salton Sea


Burrowing Owls


Beautiful White Pelicans
 


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