Birdwatching in the Coachella Valley
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous locations for wildlife viewing in the California Desert areas. The Coachella Valley, in the Southern California Desert, has several locations that are excellent for birdwatching. Any preserve or park that has a palm oases or natural spring will present excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The birds use the palm trees as shelters and to nest. Where there are palms trees there is a water source. The early morning and evening hours are when you will see the most activity at these locations.
Below are links to locations in or near the Coachella Valley that are known birdwatching areas. Also included in the links are related articles about each area and links to birds common to the desert region.
Living Desert Overview
Butterflies & Hummers at the Living Desert
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Indian Canyons, Palm Springs
Palm Springs: It’s not just a hike, its a time machine
Wildflower Hike & Bird Watching at Indian Canyons: Andreas Canyon & Murray Canyon
Hiking Tahquitz Canyon
Salton Sea National Recreation Area
Salton Sea NRA Overview
Bird Watching at the Salton Sea Wildlife Refuge
A Three Part Series: Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain and Slab City (Part 1 has bird photos)
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree NP Overview
Cottonwood Springs at Joshua Tree National Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Coyote Canyon is a Riparian habitat where birds are abundant (requires 4WD)
Yaqui Well is a bird watchers paradise in ABDSP
Morongo Preserve –
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve – BLM Area
Desert Bird Species
Black-Necked Stilt
Cactus Wrens
Cliff Swallow
Curve Billed Thrasher
Gambel’s Quail
Ground Hornbill / Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
Mallard Ducks
Mourning Doves
Pheasants ring-necked
Ravens
Roadrunners
Sandhill Cranes
Turkeys
Western Bluebird
Woodpeckers
Birds of Prey
Hawks
– Cooper’s Hawk
– Ferruginous hawk
– Marsh Hawk
– Northern Harriers
– Sharp-shinned
– Northern Goshawks
– Red-Tailed Hawk
– Barn Owl
– Great Horned Owls
– Long-Eared Owls
– Screech Owl
Related Articles …
Osprey Spotted at Barr Lake State Park
Birds in the Southwest? Follow Water.
Northern Harrier: Hawk of the Marsh
Birdwatching at the Salton Sea
Birdwatching Tips & Interesting Facts About Birds
Migration – Birds – Butterflies
jeanne, its likely a male mockingbird.
please advise where the best birdwalks/wildflower sightings are in the palm desert area.
I only have to March 30th this trip here but would dearly like to know locations for enjoyable sightings for now as well as next winter’s visit to this lovely area.
Am staying right in Palm Desert so anywhere not too far away would be delightful to be aware of.
Trying to find out the name of a bird that sings during the day but also sings at night. Live in Rancho Mirage and also hear this bird at 12 and 1 am.
Please let me know if you are away of any Audubon Society groups or other bird-watching groups in the Palms Springs area. I will be visiting for about six weeks beginning in March 2016. Thank you! Donna
Red Tail Hawk ? It looks more like a 1st year Coopers Hawk to me but does not change the story. Thanks for including bird watching as a desert recreation.