The Salton Sea - A Magnificent Place!

The Salton Sea is a magnificent place! The 35 mile long desert sea is a refuge for approximately 400 species of birds. Thousands and thousands of birds spend the winter months here.

During its heyday, it was a hot spot for entertainers such at the "Rat Pack" and people filled the lake with fishing and boating. Now, however, it is a place in danger of disappearing.

Black-necked Stilts

When we first moved to Idyllwild, there were many local people who did not know of its importance to migrating and wintering birds. Fortunately, we visited this place with a local birding group in our first year and discovered for ourselves a wonderful bird sanctuary north of the Mexican border.

Green Heron

Red-breasted Mergansers

Sage Thrasher

When you are able to see a bird in its summer breeding home and then see it again in its winter residence, you really appreciate what these birds need to do to survive. This photo is of a Sage Thrasher that we saw north of where we live in the Eastern Sierra mountains near Independence this past summer.

Sage Thrasher

Last week, we visited the Salton Sea and saw a handful of Sage Thrashers. This one was found in a palm tree. The connection of summer and winter homes is dramatic when you see the same species of birds in two totally different homes. Saving both habitats IS important!

 Imagine seeing thousands of birds flying overhead or in a nearby field or hundreds foraging in a field. (BTW, I know I need to work on my movie skills! ha)

If you want to see experience this special place, you need to go now. Every year, the water level will be lessening due to water diversion to other cities including San Diego.

Burrowing Owls

Not all birds will be impacted, but no species is greater than another. Just like humans, we should all be valued equally. We need a miraculous event to turn things around. Projects for saving as much habitat as possible are being discussed/planned but unless something BIG happens, the Salton Sea will start shrinking dramatically this year.

In the short time that we have lived here, we have fallen in love with this special place! Let's do what what we can individually and collectively to minimize the loss for wildlife and ourselves where ever we live. Many of our "patches" in the world are struggling.

Click on photos to enlarge.
Photos and content by Robin Roberts.

Under the Mistletoe

Most people know about the tradition of sneaking a kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas but how many people know that the poisonous mistletoe berries are quite delicious to a number of birds?

Upon arriving here in the west, I learned that Phainopeplas and Northern Mockingbirds were a few of the birds that love these noxious berries. 

It wasn't until this year that I observed that Western Bluebirds LOVE these berries!

In fact, I found a spot near one of our local trailheads where at least 50 Western Bluebirds and a handful of Phainopeplas are spending their winter thanks to these yummy white berries.

This past week, we had rain in Idyllwild and our first snow in the high country since last year. The same storm that brought devastation and despair to our northern neighbors was a welcome event for us. It's hard to rejoice when we know others are heartbroken and grieving.

Little things bring me hope like this little puffball. I couldn't help but laugh and smile at this Dark-eyed Junco taking a long overdue bath in melted snow.

A new year has begun. I wish you all the best!

"You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream."

C.S. Lewis

Click on photos to enlarge.

Photos and content by Robin Roberts.