Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

Directions: 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley, 92256. Phone: (760) 363-7190. www.bigmorongo.org From Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, go north 10 miles on Highway 62 to Morongo Valley. Turn right on East Drive – entrance on the left.

About the Site: In 1968, the Nature Conservancy purchased the first 80 acres, and over the years, the Preserve has expanded to 31,000 acres, and is now managed by the BLM. Strategically located between Joshua Tree National Park and the San Bernardino Mountains, most of the Preserve lies within the Mojave Desert but a small portion of the Colorado Desert is also included. Over 247 bird species have been recorded and the Preserve has been officially recognized as both an Important Bird Area and a Watchable Wildlife site.

Habitats: Riparian: a permanent stream surrounded by willows, cottonwoods, palms, arrowweed, yerba mansa. Adjacent desert, chaparral and nearby montane habitats make the Preserve a biodiversity hotspot. Where else in California may one find Ladder-backed and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Ash-throated and Brown-crested Flycatchers, and Western and Cassin’s Kingbirds living side by side?

Birds and Other Wildlife: Signature Species: Virginia Rail, Barn Owl, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Oak Titmouse, California Thrasher, California Towhee, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Mule Deer, Raccoon, various dragonflies, Summer: Long-eared Owl, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cassin’s Kingbird, Least Bell’s Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, Bullock’s Oriole. Rarities: White-tailed Kite, Common Black-Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Calliope Hummingbird, Virginia’s Warbler, Lucy’s Warbler, Harris’s Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Nelson’s Bighorn Sheep, Bobcat.

Best Times to Visit: March - October for birds, bats, butterflies, dragonflies, and wildflowers. Migration periods can be especially rewarding.

Additional Notes: Open 7:30am to sunset, every day of the year. Free birdwalks offered year-round – call or check website for times. The marsh trail is accessible by wheelchair. No fee. Donations are welcome. Dogs not permitted.

Nearby Natural Areas: Pipes Canyon Preserve near Pioneertown, Mission Creek Preserve (access off Highway 62 south of Indian Canyon Dr.), and Whitewater Preserve near Whitewater. To visit these areas call first: (760) 325-7222 for Whitewater, and (760) 369-7105 for Pipes Canyon and Mission Creek.