Desert Speaks

The Salton Sea

Take a look at the geological past and present of the Salton Sea, an ancient seabed. Naturally flooded six times in the 1800s, it took human intervention to keep the water flowing enough to create the " sea" we know today. The result is an incredible birding oasis. Birdwatchers from around the world flock to this remote desert sea because both sea birds and freshwater birds include the Salton Sea on their migratory paths. Portions of the area have become a wildlife refuge maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to feed and protect the birds. While the climate is harsh, (due to agricultural use and evaporation, the water here is 40% saltier than the ocean), the Salton Sea has become a popular haven for birds and their human observers.