For a brief background discussion on the Salton Sea, <Read This Post>.

When I travel from my San Diego County digs to visit the Salton Sea, there are several locations where I like to make stops. I seldom take the time to visit the northern shores. I find the south and southeast regions provide my best encounters. Because it is the closest to San Diego, Poe Road is the first location I usually explore.
As the water levels at the sea continue to fall, the encounters here are harder to predict. The beaches here are very shallow, and small drop in water level results in a large retreat laterally. The present day shoreline is nearly 400 feet from where it was a few years ago.
Agricultural water drains the surrounding fields and trickles its way into the sea, but the marsh at the delta is no longer 50-60 feet from the shore, but over 100 yards. This retreat continues to this day, yet there are still worthwhile encounters to be had. Where once was a higher shoreline, there now is a driveable (when dry) route out to a spit where cormorants and pelicans frequent, and depending on the time of year, an array of shorebirds, waterfowl, and egrets might be met. The scenery might pass as bleak, but the birds seem to find it very attractive.
The wetlands supported by the agricultural runoff have provided me with some memorable encounters. On one early morning I met Clapper Rails, Virginia Rails, and Sora feeding together. I’ve had my best meeting with a Least Bittern here. I’ve met shorebirds such as Snowy Plovers in the mudflats between the marsh and the old shoreline. Passerines such as Verdin, warblers, kingbirds, towhees, sparrows, gnatcatchers and Common Ground Doves might be encountered any time of the year, though most humans prefer to visit in winter. Summer temperatures in the Imperial Valley can be oppressive.
I will offer one caution: stay away from this location if there have been recent rains. The mud sticks like glue, and worse, a vehicle could easily fall victim to its clutches.
I’ve visited this place many times over the years. Some of the stories I’ve posted in the past about previous visits can be reviewed by following these links: 2014-10-21, 2014-11-30, 2015-04-28, and 2015-10-15.

Ridgway's Rail (Clapper Rail)(Rallus obsoletus) |
Description: Yuma subspecies foraging along the marsh edges at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2011-10-12. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 7:24 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 |
File Name: D3X2880-ClapperRail |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sora(Porzana carolina) |
Description: Early morning foraging in the marshes at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 7:31 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 |
File Name: D3X2918-Sora |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Virginia Rail(Rallus limicola) |
Description: Adult bird emerging from the reeds at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2011-10-12. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 7:36 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 |
File Name: D3X2940-VirginiaRail |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
Description: Foraging in the shallow waters at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 7:49 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X3010-LeastSandPiper |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus) |
Description: Raptor on patrol at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 8:04 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X3062-PeregrineFalcon |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Great Egret(Ardea alba) |
Description: Gathering of the clan at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 8:14 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X3100-GreatEgret |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Brown Pelican(Pelecanus occidentalis) |
Description: Mass loafing on the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 8:19 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X3140-BrownPelican |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Northern Pintail(Anas acuta) |
Description: Flying over the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 8:25 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X3166-NorthernPinTail |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Shore View(n/a) |
Description: Receeding shoreline of the Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 15:34 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 28 mm, f/10.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X7410-PoeRoad-Scenery |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Salton Sea Sunset(n/a) |
Description: Salton Sea sunset at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 19:18 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 70 mm, f/10.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X7970-Scenery-SaltonSeaSunset |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Salton Sea Sunset(n/a) |
Description: Salton Sea sunset at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 19:19 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 34 mm, f/10.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X7985-Scenery-SaltonSeaSunset |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Long-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus scolopaceus) |
Description: These birds are shallow water foraging specialists. Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2007-12-24. |
Date Taken: 2007:12:24 15:26 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 400 mm, f/4.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD2986LongBilledDowitcher |
© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Long-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus scolopaceus) |
Description: These birds are shallow water foraging specialists. Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2007-12-24. |
Date Taken: 2007:12:24 15:31 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 400 mm, f/4.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD2999LongBilledDowitcher |
© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Long-Billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus scolopaceus) |
Description: These birds are shallow water foraging specialists. Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2007-12-25. |
Date Taken: 2007:12:24 16:31 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 400 mm, f/4.0, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD3040LongBilledDowitcher |
© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black-Necked Stilt(Himantopus mexicanus) |
Description: Juvenile at the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2009-07-06. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 16:59 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3000 |
File Name: JCD3092.BlackNeckedStilt.Juvenile |
© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black-Necked Stilt(Himantopus mexicanus) |
Description: Juvenile at the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USAÂ 2009-07-06.. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 17:00 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/4000 |
File Name: JCD3098.BlackNeckedStilt.Juvenile |
© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: Adult nonbreeding bird at the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 17:50 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/4000 |
File Name: JCD3202.BlackTern |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias) |
Description: A bird often found near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 17:58 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: JCD3259.GreatBlueHeron |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Ring-billed Gull(Larus delawarensis) |
Description: Presumed 2nd cycle, non-breeding bird at the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 17:58 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD3264.RingBilledGull |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: Presumed adult, post-breeding bird at the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 18:25 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: JCD3353.BlackTern |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Greater Yellowlegs(Tringa melanoleuca) |
Description: The beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2009-07-06. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 18:33 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD3397.GreaterYellowLegs |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadetree-imaging |


Western Sandpiper(Calidris mauri) |
Description: Group wheeling in formation over the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 18:43 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: JCD3430.WesternSandPiper |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadetree-imaging |


Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
Description: These birds are common at many shoreline locations here. This bird was seen at the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 19:05 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD3563.CaspianTern |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Brown Pelican(Pelecanus occidentalis) |
Description: At the beach at Poe Road it is common to find both Brown and American White Pelicans. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 19:24 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD3643.BrownPelican |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: Presumed adult, postbreeding bird at the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 19:33 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD3716.BlackTern |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Long-Billed Curlew(Numenius americanus) |
Description: The beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2009-07-07. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 19:39 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD3794.LongBilledCurlew |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadetree-imaging |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: Sunset fishing at the beach near Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 19:48 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD3850.BlackTern |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
Description: Foraging along the rocky sea edges near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2010-12-10. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 8:59 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD5849_LeastSandPiper |
© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
Description: Foraging along the rocky sea edges near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2010-12-10. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 9:02 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD5856_LeastSandPiper |
© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Eared Grebe(Podiceps nigricollis) |
Description: Western, Clarks, Pied-Billed and Eared Grebes can be found near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 9:03 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: JCD5868_EaredGrebe |
© 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Dunlin(Calidris alpina) |
Description: This bird was found on the southwestern shore of the Salton Sea at Poe Road, Imperial County California 2010-10-10. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 9:24 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD5944_Dunlin |
© 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
Description: This bird was found on the southwestern shore of the Salton Sea at Poe Road, Imperial County California 2010-10-10. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 9:35 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD5976_LeastSandPiper |
© 2010 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |


Long-billed Dowitcher(Pluvialis squatarola) |
Description: Near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 10:03 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: JCD6090_LongBilledDowitcher |
© 2010 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |


Least Bittern(Ixobrychus exilis) |
Description: Foraging in the marshlands near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2010-12-10. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 17:02 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD6216_LeastBittern |
© 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Common Ground-Dove(Columbina passerina) |
Description: I was able to use my vehicle as a *blind* to capture these shy birds at Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR. Imperial County, Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:30 13:33 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X3222-CommonGroundDove |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata auduboni) |
Description: Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR. Imperial County, Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:30 14:05 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X3308-YellowRumpedWarbler |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Verdin(Auriparus flaviceps) |
Description: Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR. Imperial County, Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:30 14:06 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X3326-Verdin |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Verdin(Auriparus flaviceps) |
Description: Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR. Imperial County, Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:30 14:06 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X3333-Verdin |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis) |
Description: Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR. Imperial County, Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:30 14:30 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X3345-RedTailedHawk |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia leucophrys) |
Description: Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR. Imperial County, Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:30 14:35 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X3370-WhiteCrownedSparrow |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Red-Necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus) |
Description: Adult in alternate (breeding) plumage at the Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California USA 2015-04-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 15:51 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X7463-RedNeckedPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Dunlin(Calidris alpina) |
Description: Adult in alternate (breeding) plumage stopping over in migration to the breeding grounds. Seen at the Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California USA 2015-04-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 16:02 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X7544-Dunlin |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Western Sandpiper(Calidris mauri) |
Description: Adult in breeding (alternate) plumage at the Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California USA 2015-04-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 16:14 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X7606-WesternSandpiper |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Snowy Plover(Charadrius alexandrinus) |
Description: Foraging along the shores of the Salton Sea at Poe Road. Imperial County near Westmoreland, California USA 2015-04-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:04:27 17:29 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X7797-SnowyPlover |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Snowy Plover(Charadrius alexandrinus) |
Description: Foraging the marsh margins near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 209-07-04. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:04 9:49 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD1016.SnowyPlover |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |


Virginia Rail(Rallus limicola) |
Description: Juvenile bird foraging the marsh margins near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2009-07-04. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:04 10:02 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD1150.VirginiaRail |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Virginia Rail(Rallus limicola) |
Description: Juvenile bird foraging the marsh margins near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2009-07-04. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:04 10:40 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD1416.VirginiaRail |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Yellow-Footed Gull(Larus livens) |
Description: This region is the only location north of Mexico where this birds can be seen. Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 18:52 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD3470.YellowFootedGull |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Ring-Billed Gull(Larus delawarensis) |
Description: First year bird at Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2003:09:26 16:38 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD_2997RingBilledGull |
© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Ring-Billed Gull(Larus delawarensis) |
Description: Second year bird at Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2003:09:26 16:46 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD_3023RingBilledGull |
© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Yellow-Footed Gull(Larus livens) |
Description: This region is the only location north of Mexico where this birds can be seen. Poe Road, Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2003:09:26 17:06 |
Location:
Poe Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD_3040YellowFootGull |
© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |

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