Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR, CA

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge (or Reserve) was formed in 1930 so migrating birds can rest and nest there in the winter and return up north for the summer. It was re-named to honor Sonny Bono because he dedicated a lot of his time and energy into saving the Salton Sea. Temperature commonly reach over 100F from May to October and can reach 120 in summer.


The refuge has about 375 bird species that come yearly and some are permanent residents. The refuge claims to have up to 30,000 snow, Ross's, and Canadian geese that come annually, along with 60,000 ducks of various species (how did they keep count?). Birds commonly seen are mallard ducks, coots, egrets, blue herons, sandhill cranes, snow geese in large numbers, American kestrels, turkey vultures, ospreys. The refuge is not connected and is in select areas along the Salton Sea, mainly in the southern region. The refuge contains a series of wetlands, marshes, and canals with high grasses and surrounded by farmland. The nearest town to the refuge is Brawley. Frogs can be heard croaking year-round and mosquitoes could be a problem in warm mornings and nights.

Common activities at the Salton Sea are boating, fishing (tilapia is the most common fish in the Salton Sea due to the fact that it can tolerate high salinity), birding watching, hunting, sight-seeing, and picnicking. Educational center and decks are in the area for the public.



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