More than 300 species of birds have been recorded in the Anza-Borrego region. Many of these birds, like the Swainson’s Hawk, are here only briefly each year, during their seasonal migration. The wide range of elevations in the local region, from below sea level at the Salton Sea to to 6,200 feet in the surrounding mountains, along with greenery and water features around golf courses and residential areas, have created a great diversity of habitat. During the cooler season, ABDNHA has weekly bird walks open to the public. The Borrego Valley Hawkwatch is active from February through April.
Here are some popular birding spots in Anza-Borrego.
Borrego Palm Canyon
Park in the day use area at the end of the Borrego Palm Canyon Campground and explore the lower area of the trail, around the pupfish pond and the moist and brushy areas in the parts of the wash where water occasionally flows. Typical desert birds such as cactus wrens are often spotted in this area.
How to Get There
From Christmas Circle go 1.4 miles, just past the intersection with Hoberg Road, and turn right at the campground sign.
Book References
Anza-Borrego Desert Region, 6th ed., Pgs. 72-78
Tamarisk Grove & Yaqui Well
Long-eared owls are often seen around the Tamarisk Grove Campground. Yaqui Well, at the end of a good dirt road across from the campground, is a great spot to see a variety of bird species.
How to Get There
From Christmas Circle, go south on Borrego Springs Road (S-3) for 5.2 miles, at the Y go right on Yaqui Pass Road and continue 6.6 miles straight ahead and over Yaqui Pass to arrive at the campground on the left side of the roadway. Yaqui Well is reached via a dirt road across from the campground.
Book References
Anza-Borrego Desert Region, 6th ed., Pgs. 161-164
Agua Caliente County Park
If you want to see phainopeplas, Agua Caliente County Park is the place to go. They are frequently seen along the end of the Moonlight Canyon Trail feasting on mistletoe. Other desert species such as quail and roadrunners are frequently seen in and the desert greenery of the campground and day use areas. Agua Caliente also offers the extra bonus of very nice naturally heated hot pools and swimming pool.
How to Get There
From the junction of S-2 and Highway 78, drive south on S-2 for 21 miles to Agua Caliente County Park.
Book References
Anza-Borrego Desert Region, 6th ed., Pgs. 218-219
Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is about one-hour drive east from Borrego Springs. The Sonny Bono Wildlife Refuge at the southern end of the Salton Sea offers excellent birding year-round, but early winter is the best time. You may see snow geese, egrets, sand hill cranes and many other migrating birds in the area. Burrowing owls are very common along the roadsides of the agricultural fields south of the wildlife refuge. Make the refuge visitor center your first stop. It is a great spot for birding. Ask what is currently being seen and the best places to go.
How to Get There
From the junction of Borrego Springs Road and Highway 78, drive east on Highway 78 for 23 miles to Highway 86. Turn south (right) on Highway 86, and drive 9.6 miles to Bannister Road. Turn left onto Bannister Road, and drive 5.8 miles to Forrester Road. Turn left onto Forrester Road, and drive for 1.9 miles to Gentry. Turn left onto Gentry, and drive for 7 miles to Sinclair. Turn left on Sinclair to the visitor center entrance.
Borrego Valley Hawkwatch
Each spring in Borrego Springs provides a window into the migration patterns of Swainson’s Hawks. Swainson’s Hawks spend the winter in Mexico, Colombia and Argentina. In early to mid-February, the first Swainson’s hawks arrive in the Borrego Valley from Mexico. As the season progresses, the hawks arrive from Colombia, and finally in April, from Argentina. The journey from Argentina is over 6,000 miles. The highest period of migration is mid-late March.
The Borrego Valley Hawkwatch starts in mid-February and runs for about two months. Dedicated hawkwatch volunteers meet at designated locations in the morning and the evening to count the hawks.
Click here for more information on the Borrego Valley Hawkwatch.
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