Salton Sea Loop (v2)

I am presently at a Motel 6 in El Centro, CA, about fives miles from the Mexico border. The goal today was 100 species which is pretty hard to do in the winter, and although I ended up with just 71, it was a good one. I picked up two lifers (Harris's Sparrow & Mountain Plover) and a few state birds (Gila Woodpecker, Inca Dove, maybe some others but my list is in the car).

This weekend's goal is to circumvent the entire Salton Sea, as well as bird the very productive areas south of the sea, including the Brawley and El Centro areas.

Since my notebook is in the car, I'll try to do all of this from memory. As some of you know, my last attempt to do the Salton Sea ended in the dirt at Ramer Lake (76 species at 230 pm), so I am being much more careful this time, both with the dust and the mud.

I started out at the north end around Mecca just before 6 before heading to Salton Sea State Reservation Area (visitor's center entrance), a brief stop at the Wister Unit (it's duck season, left early), and then to the Salton Sea NWR main entrance.

When I first arrived there, I saw a handful of common species, including a lot of Gambel's Quails and a roosting Barn Owl. My target bird there was the continuing Harris's Sparrow, but it was nowhere to be found initially. I walked the trails, saw many Snow (and some Ross's) Geese. While heading back to the car, the bird showed up, as well a few obnoxious photographers with their very large cameras. As usual, they felt that they deserved the right of way.

An older couple suggested that I go back towards Wister to look for a Tropical and a few Vermilion Flycatchers, but after driving for awhile on the muddy road, I decided that the slight chance that the car might get stuck wasn't worth it.

The two stops I made in Brawley -- Cattle Call Park and the Cemetery -- were fairly productive. Highlights include Gambel's Quail, Inca and Common Ground Dove, Cactus Wren, Gila Woodpecker, and Red-naped Sapsucker. Nothing new, but still a good haul. I ended the day south of town at a big roosting area -- hundreds upon hundreds of gulls (various species), White-faced Ibis, ducks (various species), American Avocets, and egrets.

Although I am exhausted and have another before dawn rise tomorrow, I am slowly eating an Asian salad from Jack in the Box and watching Mork & Mindy. While I was waiting for my salad, I noticed that a number of the staff spoke no English whatsoever, as they had to have other staff members translate things for them. Although I don't care either way (as long as I get my food correctly), maybe these kids should learn English before taking a job in the States. I know there isn't technically an official language here, but come on, all business is done in English here, it will make things a lot easier.

On sort of a related note, I sent out some of my observations to the LA County birdlist a few days ago, and in response to the litter at the park (Lacy Park), I wrote this:

Also, this was my first time here and I was appalled at the slob-like behaviour of the people there. Some of the same people I saw fishing were also throwing trash into
the lake -- apparently they don't have a firm grasp of logic.

And someone wrote me directly (someone I've never spoken to before):

Nor do they likely have a grasp of the English language...I find it very disappointing that those who chose a new country to live in can't be bothered with adopting the new host country's customs, laws or language...but they are fully accepting of all the government provided freebies...

Apparently someone felt the need to get on their soapbox. But guess what, I don't care.

More from day two tomorrow. Including pictures.

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