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2003 SALTON SEA CONFERENCE REPORT

12-16 January 2003

Salton Sea Conference participants enjoyed an exciting winter adventure at one of the premier birding areas in North America. The Imperial Valley always produces a nice mix of area specialties and also invariably holds some avian surprises — this winter was no exception! Three species seen by most Conference participants (Ruddy Ground-Dove, Sprague's Pipit, and Le Conte's Sparrow) were unusual enough to merit review by the California Bird Record Committee. A total of 174 species were seen — 165 of those on field trips in the Imperial Valley and along the shore of the Salton Sea. All of these birds were seen below sea level! An additional nine species were seen only on the trips to Anza Borrego. The weather was terrific, with temperatures ranging up into the mid-seventies each day under beautiful clear skies and with virtually no wind.

Full-day trips to the Salton Sea and Niland produced most of the expected species with virtually all participants seeing Mountain Plover and Yellow-footed Gull, the latter thanks to a changed a trip itinerary to accommodate participants who had missed this bird on an earlier trip. The Wister Unit Headquarters area hosted a wintering Gray Flycatcher and three American Redstarts, and all participants observed large numbers of both Snow and Ross's Geese near the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. Participants were treated to a variety of sparrows near Niland, including a very unusual and relatively cooperative Le Conte's Sparrow — and fields near the Calipatria State Prison produced Sprague's Pipits, and Lapland and Chestnut-collared Longspurs. Hundreds of Mountain Bluebirds in the open fields were also a highlight on this trip. The other full-day birding trip was centered in and around Anza Borrego State Park. Here all participants saw the targeted Costa's Hummingbird, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and Black-throated and Sage Sparrows, most saw LeConte's Thrasher, and a lucky few also saw Crissal Thrasher and Scott's Oriole. A group of Peninsular Bighorn Sheep provided a special non-avian treat for our birders one day.

The two half-day trips visited a number of prime birding destinations closer to the resort. Trips to Ramer/Finney Lakes and Calipatria began with the spectacle of thousands of Cattle Egrets and White-faced Ibis leaving their roosts at dawn. Other highlights included side by side Western and Clark's Grebes, scope views of a roosting Lesser Nighthawk, Eastern Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, and up to six Ruddy Ground-Doves and a Lewis's Woodpecker east of Calipatria. Participants on the Brawley trip greeted the sunrise at a Sandhill Crane roost before heading to Cattle Call Park where they were treated to great views of a "staked out" Zone-tailed Hawk. This very cooperative bird sat in a leafless tree each morning and patiently added every participant to its life list. Gila Woodpeckers and Abert's Towhee were well observed, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker made a surprise appearance one morning. This trip also visited a man-made wetland where participants were able to see first-hand how water coming into the Sea is being naturally cleaned by the plants and micro-organisms there. Many participants saw Least Bittern at this wetland, and those that did not see any of these small elusive herons certainly heard them calling.

While the field trips are always the centerpiece of any ABA Conference or Convention, programs, social activities, and the chance to meet new and old friends are also an important component. Entertaining and informative programs were provided each evening after dinner and also on Tuesday afternoon. Guy McCaskie got us off to a great start the first evening by whetting our birding appetites with an introduction to the area and its birds. The next evening Tom Kirk, Executive Director of the Salton Sea Authority, gave us an overview of the history of the area, briefed us on plans to address the needs of the Sea in the near term, and discussed long term restoration plans. Kathy Molina and her husband, Kimball Garrett, took the lectern on Tuesday afternoon to present two very informative programs. Kathy revealed some fascinating facts about the breeding biology and behavior of Salton Sea terns and skimmers, and Kimball reviewed the winter field marks of some of the frequently misidentified birds of the region. Later that afternoon, Kimball, Barbara Massey, Richard Zembal, and Sheri Williamson signed copies of their books during the social hour. Tuesday evening Sheri presented a fascinating program on hummingbirds, sharing her thoughts on why these amazing and often misunderstood birds deserve greater respect and attention from the birding community. And finally, on Wednesday evening Marie Barrett described the grassroots efforts of local residents to improve the quality of water flowing into the Salton Sea.

Kudos go to Guy McCaskie who did a terrific job as the Conference's Field Trip Coordinator — and to Dan Cooper, Kimball Garrett, Peter Ginsburg, Paul Jorgensen, Todd McGrath, Bob Miller, Brennan Mulrooney, Mike San Miguel, and Mary Beth Stowe who led the field trips. Ken Kurland provided fabulous slides for Guy's introductory program and helped with pre-Conference scouting. Jane Kostenko and Tyler Bell (Assistant Managers), and Nanci Hawley (Registrar) again performed superbly as the Conference staff and their dedication to the success of these meetings is greatly appreciated. Thanks also to the attendees who took the time to visit the Salton Sea and attend the Conference — and especially those who helped out with the impromptu car pool we had to organize the first morning!

Special thanks to Brunton, the Conference sponsor, for their support of our activities. As an extra bonus, Brunton generously donated a new Epoch binocular to the meeting. This was sold at a "silent auction" with all the proceeds going to Birders' Exchange.

– Ken Hollinga

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