Water birds
The present incarnation of the Salton Sea is a sewer, a hypersaline (44ppt vs. 35ppt in the ocean) mélange of agricultural pesticides and fertilizers and heavy metals like selenium. Dust from the lake shore that is kicked up by high winds are a respiratory health hazard to those who live along its shores. Everyone agrees that something needs to be done, but selecting a solution (and paying the astronomical bill) has pushed off any attempts at a solution. The lake used to be freshwater, then became more and more saline, and now is saltier than the ocean. Some single-celled algae and bacteria thrive on the high nutrients. Barnacles and salt-tolerant tilapia fish still persist in the lake but their numbers are greatly depressed, especially when blooms of algae and bacteria deplete the oxygen levels in parts of the lake.
And yet, the wetlands that flow into the Salton Sea are a major resource for many bird species. At least 270 species use the Salton Sea area regularly and for some of these species, the Salton Sea is a significant overwintering area for the bulk of their population.
So, we spent a day exploring the wildlife around the shores of the Salton Sea and encountered a number of waterbirds: shorebirds, ducks, and skimmers.
Among the waterbirds were two plovers: a statuesque killdeer
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And a black-bellied plover that was still in its non-breeding plumage. This bird was probing for flies among the barnacle shells that litter the shore (and cover the rocks) of the Salton Sea.
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There were several shorebirds and ducks in a small impoundment (Varner Harbor) at Salton Sea State Recreational Area. This harbor used to be a way to launch boats for fishing the Salton Sea, but the water level has dropped so low that the canal leading to the sea is high and dry.
Several black-necked stilts were relaxing on the float by the launch.
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Later, they flew to the canal exiting the harbor to probe the mud for food.
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I was somewhat surprised to see a long sandpiperish bird in the harbor area. I debated back and forth what it was, especially with such a long bill, considering whimbrel, godwit, curlew, etc. in large part because the bird was by itself. None of these fit and I started to lean toward dowitcher (though I have never encountered a solo bird). Then, the question was long-billed vs. short-billed. In the end, I have leaned toward short-billed dowitcher.
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While circling the harbor, we heard the distinctive “weet-weet-weet” call of a spotted sandpiper. We careful scanning of the banks of the harbor and finally picked it out.
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The harbor also had several duck species, including several ruddy ducks, several cinnamon teals, several blue-winged teals,
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two pairs of Northern shovelers,
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And several scaup.
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Finally, in the afternoon, we hiked out to a large impoundment that was quite diverse (but most birds in binoc range). These included, white pelicans, double-crested cormorants, a white-faced ibis, American avocets, a willet, several common (?) terns, Northern shovelers, cinnamon teals, and mallards. The prize for me was a black skimmer. Apparently, they were more common here when the fish populations in the Salton Sea were healthier. But it was still great to see this bird flying low and slow over the impoundments surface with its lower bill running right at the water’s surface.
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Steve