This ephemeral alkali lake within Carrizo Plain National Monument is superb for Long-billed Curlew, American Avocet, and Loggerhead Shrike, and critical foraging habitat for California Condor.
By Chuck Graham | Published: 8/26/2011

What drew me to the Carrizo Plain National Monument was its wide open space and a sweeping valley that is considered California’s Serengeti. It is the last of the state’s historic grasslands, where herds of pronghorn and Tule elk still roam. Plus, it’s a safe haven for endangered foxes and other animals, and it’s critical foraging habitat for the California Condor.

The monument’s centerpiece is 3,000-acre Soda Lake. It attracts 180 species of birds annually, including Sandhill Crane, Horned Lark, and Long-billed Curlew. Traffic is minimal, so it’s easy to pull over anywhere on Soda Lake Rd. and use a spotting scope or scan with binoculars. The boardwalk on the west side of the lake is ideal for finding birds. Old fence posts from long-gone cattle ranches make convenient perches for Ferruginous Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Merlin, Rough-legged Hawk, Western Meadowlark, Warbling Vireo, and Lark Sparrow.

Directly west of the boardwalk and on the other side of the road is a short trail up a knoll to an overlook, offering fantastic views of the lake and much of the Carrizo Plain. Don’t miss it. — Chuck Graham

Chuck Graham is a writer and photographer who writes often about birds in California. He also wrote about Carpinteria Salt Marsh, Carpinteria, Hotspot Near You No. 116, Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area, Guadalupe, No. 138, Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, Santa Barbara, No. 151, Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, No. 154, Mendocino Headlands State Park, Mendocino, No. 167, and Hearst San Simeon State Park, Cambria, No. 185.