The Salton Sea is one of the most important migratory stops along the Pacific Flyway. But it’s hard to understand what this means without seeing it visually. So we took a sample of birds and tracked their migratory pathways through California – note the one thing they all have in common. And this is just a handful of the 400 species that make regular use of the Salton Sea.

A few more things to consider:

• The Salton Sea hosts the largest interior wintering population of Western Grebes and 90% of the overwintering population of Eared Grebes.
• 50% of the Pacific Flyway population of Ruddy Duck, Cinnamon Teal, and Northern Shoveler use the Sea.
• It is home to 40% of the global population of the Federally Endangered Yuma Ridgway’s Rail.
• It is the primary wintering area in the interior U.S. for California Brown Pelican and the American White Pelican.
• And this is just the beginning. We'll be talking more about the Salton Sea in the coming weeks and months.