If you have limited time, you will probably want to concentrate your attention on the area south of town along Squaw Valley Creek. From I-5 take Highway 89 to McCloud, and turn south onto Squaw Valley Road. In about 2 miles the road crosses two small creeks. At the second stream crossing there is a beaver pond on the west side of the road, although it is mostly hidden from view. For a better look, turn right at 2.1 miles, follow the short stretch of road to the end, and go through the gap in the fence to view the pond. In spring and summer this area is host to a wealth of birdlife. There are obscure paths through the woods both north and south of the pond, with some bushwacking usually necessary (but worth the effort!). 
 
     Check the pond, the riparian further upstream, and the surrounding forest. Birds possible here in summer include Mallard, Mountain Quail, Common Nighthawk, Belted Kingfisher, Hairy Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Olive-sided, Willow, Hammond’s (rare), Dusky, and Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Cassin’s and Warbling Vireos, Tree and Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Mountain Chickadee, all 3 nuthatches, Brown Creeper, House Wren, American Robin, Swainson’s Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Hermit, MacGillivray’s, and Wilson’s Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Fox and Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin, and Evening Grosbeak. There are frequent surprises here; a Solitary Sandpiper was at the pond in July 1988, and a Red-shouldered Hawk was observed in July 1999.

     Search riparian thickets along Squaw Valley Creek within the first 2 miles for Calliope Hummingbird, Willow Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush, Yellow and MacGillivray’s Warblers, and Yellow-breasted Chat.  The best riparian habitat is at a pullout on the right at 1.7 miles. At 3.1 miles, just past a cement bridge, the Squaw Valley Creek Trail commences from a parking area on the left. American Dipper has been known to nest under the footbridge for the Pacific Crest Trail, which is only a short hike from the trailhead. Sighting a Northern Goshawk is possible anywhere in the vicinity of McCloud, so keep looking up! 

     From McCloud the intrepid explorer can also take a less-traveled route to Mt. Shasta. From the McCloud Ranger Station go east on Highway 89 for 2.8 miles to Pilgrim Creek Road, proceed north for 7.3 miles to Road 19, and follow signs to the Brewer Creek Trailhead (15.4 miles). En route to the trailhead you will have ample opportunity to look for woodpeckers, flycatchers (including Hammond’s), Gray Jay (try the higher elevation red fir forest), Clark's Nutcracker (especially near timberline), Cassin's Finch, and Evening Grosbeak. From the trailhead (7,200 feet) there is access to the Wintun and Hotlum Glaciers. Above timberline the birds are sparse, but with luck you might find Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. 

     For more information on forest trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, visit the McCloud Ranger Station, located on the north side of Highway 89 about .4 mile east of the Squaw Valley Road junction.

     There are plenty of other birding sites within reasonable driving distance of McCloud. If you continue east on Highway 89, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park has nesting Black Swifts at the falls, nearby Lake Britton has breeding Bald Eagles, and Lassen Volcanic National Park is excellent for  Black-backed Woodpecker and other boreal forest species.