Sonny Bono Salton Sea Refugewinter wildlife
At Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for winter wildlife comes in 2 separate phases, each its own display: Shorebirds start returning, Many shorebird species start returning in August; and Fall migration peaks as waterfowl arrive, migration peaks when waterfowl touch down in November. Its usual window hasn't started yet this year.
- AugustShorebirds start returningMany shorebird species start returning in August
- NovemberFall migration peaks as waterfowl arrivemigration peaks when waterfowl touch down in November
Right now at Sonny Bono Salton Sea Refuge
Right now in Sonny Bono Salton Sea Refuge · September
- Visitor center closed in summer, May or June to October (trails stay open) · May–Oct
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Rock Hill: visitor center and Rockhill TrailAt 906 W Sinclair Road: an observation tower by the main lot and the self-guided Rockhill Trail, a 2-mile loop ending on top of an 'active' volcano with views of the Sea and shoreline
- Unit 1 (Vendel and Bannister roads)Where most of the refuge's accessible wetlands are: the Hardenberger Trail, two photo blinds, and an observation tower and platform next to the parking lot
Nearby
- Cibola Refuge56 mi3 separate phases, from mid-July to mid-September
- San Diego Refuge85 micommon in the bird list's Fall (September through October) and Winter (November through February) seasons
- Kern Refuge288 miBirding is best on the refuge from October through March
- Merced Refuge396 mimid-September to early MarchSatSunny
- San Luis Refuge412 miJanuarySatSunny
- San Joaquin River Refuge443 miOctober to MarchSatSunny
The year at Sonny Bono Salton Sea Refuge
- Visitor center closed in summer, May or June to October (trails stay open)NowMay–Oct
- Aug: Shorebirds start returning in AugustAug
- Waterfowl hunting, Unit 2 only, October through FebruaryOct–Feb
- Nov: Fall migration peaks when waterfowl arrive in NovemberNov
- Visitor center usually open November to AprilNov–Apr
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge?
In 2 separate phases: Shorebirds start returning, Many shorebird species start returning in August and Fall migration peaks as waterfowl arrive, migration peaks when waterfowl touch down in November. They're separate displays, not one long season.
Is it wildlife season at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not yet: its usual winter wildlife timing is Fall migration peaks as waterfowl arrive, migration peaks when waterfowl touch down in November.
Is there a fee?
No. There are no fees to visit the refuge complex.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the visitor center open?
Usually November to April, Tuesday to Sunday, with hours that depend on volunteers; it's closed from May or June through October and on national holidays. The trails stay open all year, sunrise to sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the wetlands with the most birds?
Most of the accessible wetlands are in Unit 1, reached from Vendel and Bannister roads, with the Hardenberger Trail, two photo blinds and an observation tower.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there hunting?
Yes, waterfowl hunting from October through February, but only in Unit 2 of the refuge.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hunting at Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What's there in winter?
Large, noisy flocks of sandhill cranes and snow geese; the refuge farms fields to feed more than 30,000 wintering geese.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge?
Rock Hill: visitor center and Rockhill Trail: at 906 W Sinclair Road: an observation tower by the main lot and the self-guided Rockhill Trail, a 2-mile loop ending on top of an 'active' volcano with views of the Sea and shoreline; Unit 1 (Vendel and Bannister roads): where most of the refuge's accessible wetlands are: the Hardenberger Trail, two photo blinds, and an observation tower and platform next to the parking lot.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge?
Visitor center closed in summer, May or June to October (trails stay open) (May–Oct).
What is Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Shorebirds start returning in August (Aug), Fall migration peaks when waterfowl arrive in November (Nov), Visitor center usually open November to April (Nov–Apr), Visitor center closed in summer, May or June to October (trails stay open) (May–Oct) and Waterfowl hunting, Unit 2 only, October through February (Oct–Feb).
How we know · Sources (3)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hunting at Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)