Birding at Prescott Preserve
Info
Prescott Preserve has quietly become one of the most exciting birding spots in the Coachella Valley. Since 2022, OLT volunteer Kurt Kosek has been birding the Preserve regularly, and together with the local birding community, birders have documented more than 188 species of birds on site — and counting.
From migratory waterfowl and raptors to songbirds and desert specialists, Prescott Preserve offers a rare mix of habitats that make every visit different. Some days are calm and contemplative; other days bring surprise flyovers, lifers, and unforgettable moments.
We invite birders of all ages and experience levels to join Kurt for relaxed, welcoming bird walks at Prescott Preserve on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. These guided walks are under 1.5 miles, follow dirt trails, and move at an easy pace — perfect for beginners, families, and seasoned birders alike.
Meeting location:
The group meets at the old golf cart crosswalk on Farrell Drive, just north of Mesquite. There is plenty of parking available along Farrell.
Want to stay connected between walks? Join fellow Prescott Preserve birders in the Prescott Preserve Facebook Group, where sightings, photos, and excitement are shared year-round.
Come for the birds, stay for the community — and discover why Prescott Preserve has become such a special place to bird.
DOCUMENTED
BIRDING
SUBMITTED
Prescott Preserve Bird Flashcards
by Rob Tanner
One of the most wonderful things about Prescott Preserve is the community that forms around it — and Rob Tanner is a perfect example of that spirit in action.
Rob created the Preserve Bird Flashcards, a web-based learning tool designed to help people explore, study, and deepen their connection to the birds of the Preserve. The flashcards feature Rob’s own bird photography, captured right here at Prescott Preserve, along with audio recordings of bird calls and songs to help train your ear as well as your eye.
The photo-based flashcards are welcoming and accessible for birders of all levels, while the audio challenge is intentionally more advanced — a fun and rewarding test even for experienced birders. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could identify a bird by sound alone, this is your chance to find out.
Whether you’re brand new to birding, brushing up your ID skills, or looking for a challenge, the Prescott Preserve Bird Flashcards are a fantastic way to learn at your own pace — anytime, anywhere.
We invite you to give them a try, test your knowledge, and see just how much life and diversity Prescott Preserve holds. You might surprise yourself.
Birding on Cahuilla Lands
– Common birds field guide
Other flying animals
Mal Mal
Monarch Butterfly – Mariposa monarca
Iconic migratory species begins travelling from northern US and Canada to Mexico and Florida in late summer/early autumn, passing through Southern California on its way.
Pali’l
Hoary Bat – Murciélago gris
Large, migratory species journeys between North and Central America every year, wintering in Southern California Feeds mostly on moths. Solitary species nests in trees or caves.
What’s in a name …
The Cahuilla bird names included in this guide are general names and are not necessarily specific to the referenced species. For example, sasaymal, duck, is a general term. The Ruddy Duck is used as an example of a common duck species found in the region. Moreover, the Cahuilla language has a variety of dialects and thus the words used here are specific to the Torres-Martínez, Desert Cahuilla.
Spanish names are included. Note that many bird names used in Mexico come from Nahuatl, the second most spoken language in Mexico after Spanish. Both Nahuatl and Cah
About the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla
About Audubon
Find our new Salton Sea birding map online:
Cahuilla Wikikmallem - Common birds field guide:
- CREDIT
- Illustrations: Ryan Llamas, ryan.llamas@audubon.org
- FOLLOW US
- audubon.saltonsea
- CONTACT:
- Audubon Salton Sea Office 41550 Eclectic Street Palm Desert, CA (760) 799-5140