2013-06-06 Clark Dry Lake (Thrashers At Last!)

My adventures this Thursday included visits to Clark Dry Lake and the Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor Center, west of Borrego Springs, California in San Diego County. I made several excursions earlier in the season hoping to meet the Le Conte’s Thrasher. These birds dwell in some of the most inhospitable terrain found in our deserts. Clark Dry Lake fits this description well, and I had it on good authority these birds could be found here. In fact, I’d caught fleeting glimpses on prior visits. I was able to gain more intimate visits this day. I find such places as this, seemingly so resistant to life, a paradox. Existence would seem to be very difficult out here, yet this is the environment chosen as a home for this species.

The Visitor’s Center at the western end of Palm Canyon Drive is a good location to meet most of the common inhabitants found across the desert. I find weekday visits less crowded and more enjoyable for spending quality time with the critters there.

Birds I met this day were Le Conte’s Thrasher, Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher, Black-Throated Sparrow, Cactus Wren.