Event date: Saturday, March 5,
2011
Event place:
Apple
Valley,
CA
Birds of the
Salton
Sea
San Bernardino County Museum Director Robert
McKernan will explore the wildlife of the Salton Sea in a lecture on Saturday, March 5,
2011, at the
Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley at 2pm. The presentation, scheduled in the museum’s
community room, is free to the public.
The Salton
Sea is the largest
inland surface water body in California and has been one of the state’s most productive
sport fisheries. The sea is considered one the most significant stop-over
locations along the Pacific Flyway. The Salton Sea is a vital part of the Rio Colorado Delta
region, including the northern Gulf of California, and contains some of the highest biological
diversity in the southwestern United
States.
This is particularly true for birds. To date, 402 native and 5
non-native bird species have been recorded in the Salton Sea area, including about 100 breeding
species. In addition, the sheer number of birds using the
Salton
Sea at various times of
the year is particularly noteworthy.
“The Salton
Sea supports one of the
most diverse bird populations in the United
States, with more than 400 species,” said Robert
McKernan. “It is one of the most impressive areas in the nation for observing
wintering bird life.” An ornithologist, Robert McKernan has conducted research
at the Salton
Sea for more than 30
years and has led hundreds of field trips to the area.
Part of the San Bernardino County Museum system, the
Victor Valley Museum is at 11873 Apple Valley
Road in
Apple
Valley. The
museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, call
(909) 307-2669 or visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.
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