Southern California Trip ~ September 13, 1985

I worked the Salton Sea area on Friday. A Common Moorhen was in Weist Lake. Common Ground-Doves and Burrowing Owls were found at a farm near the intersection of Kershaw and Rutherford Roads. The Finney Lake area held Western Meadowlark, Verdin, and Crissal Thrasher, along with Western Kingbird, Black Tern, and Virginia Rail.

Two Lesser Nighthawks perched in a tree at the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge headquarters building.

A Lesser Nighthawk at the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge near Calipatria, California.

The area around Red Hill Landing held American White Pelicans, Caspian Terns, and many Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets.

An American White Pelican at Red Hill Landing along the Salton Sea near Calipatria, California.

The "white-winged" race of Ring-necked Pheasant was seen at the Imperial Wildlife Area. Abert's Towhees and a covey of Gambel's Quail were present at the Whitewater River Levee. A small group of gulls at the Salton City Boat Launch area included some of the much-sought-after Yellow-footed Gulls.

We saw nothing new at the famed Morongo Valley Preserve, but it was a great little oasis for birdlife in the desert.

We spent the night in Yucca Valley.

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