BMB05/03 Salton Sea 14th January 2005

We arrived at Wister around 8.45 on a cool but clear day, in bright sunshine. The roads were clear, as was the trail through to the observation platform and tank – far better than most of us had feared. We saw, and had good views of the American Redstart out-, and in-bound but could not find the Vermillion.

It turned out to be a wonderful day for 24 BMBirders in nine vehicles, too many but we managed. All our usual roads were clear (sort of) and we had a rich haul of 86 species; if you would like a full list of what we saw, please contact bigmorongobirders@earthlink.net We tried the prison but it produced nothing significant.

We had no Bluebirds!!!! But we did have most others, including a Peregrine Falcon washing itself in a field pool on the approach to the Marina, and several Burrowing Owls. Finally the hardy seven of us, en route to Unit One, counted more than seventy Sandhill Cranes 100-150 yards off the trail. They were a wonderful sight and on our return we saw them dancing and spreading their wings - quite unforgettable, and what a pity that so many of our party missed them.



All in all a very satisfying and exhausting day, and well worth a repeat; we hope the Living Desert are so successful, and no doubt Kay will find the Mountain Bluebirds!

Reminders

Friday 21st January San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Meet for carpool at Big Morongo 7am or Denny's Palm Springs at Indian and I10 at 7.30am. Bring water and lunch.

Monday 31st January Pipe’s Canyon. Meet at Big Morongo for carpool at 7.30am, or 8am at the trailhead. We will be finished before lunch but bring water. There may well be more water than we have become accustomed to.

Yet again I have had to reconstitute my circular address list. I would appreciate an advice if you see something in error.

Good Birding………….bb

Barry Parkes
bbparkes@ix.netcom.com
bigmorongobirders@earthlink.com