WHERE TO GO TO SEE WATERFOWL, RAPTORS, AND OWLS

Brrrrrrr! What you can't see in the photos, such as this one of a Ferruginous Hawk, is how chilly the winters get in California's northeastern corner. For midwesterners it might be like a day at the beach, but for this Californian it's more like an expedition to the North Pole. So why leave the temperate south to visit the land of ice and snow? The birds of course! Where else is it possible to see over a hundred Bald Eagles gathered around a single pond? Sometimes it seems like there is an eagle, hawk, or falcon perched on every bare branch and pole. The owls are always there, but become much easier to spot when the trees drop their leaves. And let's not leave out that smallest but fiercest of avian predators, the Northern Shrike. Spend enough time driving through open country and you are bound to find one or two. Most of the geese depart for warmer climes when the open water freezes, but big  flocks of Tundra Swans put on a winter waterfowl spectacular. And then there are the usual unexpected rarities, like a Whooper Swan or  a Gyrfalcon (how mundane). So fill that Thermos, put on your mittens, and don't forget the  binoculars! They're gonna come in handy.

The Shasta Valley: The area between Weed and Yreka, bisected by I-5, features large expanses of grassland and juniper woodland, lava beds, and scattered lakes, ponds, and marshes. Considering its interesting range of habitats and ample birdlife it is surprising that it gets as little attention from birders as it does.
    In winter you may see a variety of raptors, including eagles, Ferruginous Hawk, and Prairie Falcon, along valley roads such as I-5, Old Highway 99, and Gazelle-Callahan Road. Northern Shrike is an uncommon winter visitor throughout the valley.
    Along County Road A12, about 4—5 miles east of I-5, there are two small lakes (known locally as the Lava Lakes). When unfrozen they can be good for geese and ducks. In the past rarities such as Eurasian Wigeon and Tufted Duck have been recorded. Wintering Townsend's Solitaires can often be found in the nearby juniper woodland. Oak Titmouse is the expected species here, although habitat would seem to indicate otherwise.
    There is more juniper habitat along Big Springs Road and around Lake Shastina. If you follow the public access route to the southern shores of the lake you will find good shorebird habitat during migration. In winter check the lake's ice-free waters for loons, mergansers, and other diving ducks.

Butte Valley: This large high-desert valley is on Hwy 97, between Weed and the Klamath Basin. It's a great place to observe raptors in winter (and year-round). They especially like to perch on the irrigation equipment in the fields. As you drive through the valley watch for Bald and Golden Eagles, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, and Prairie Falcon, among others. Along the highway and side roads you should also see Black-billed Magpies, and possibly a herd of Pronghorn. Meiss Lake Road, on the west side of the highway just south of Macdoel, is especially good. There is usually a Ferruginous Hawk somewhere within its first mile or so. The Butte Valley Wildlife Area is farther down this road, with an auto tour route on the left at 4.1 miles. The drive is good for viewing waterfowl and raptors, but if you are short on time you will probably want to skip it in favor of the Klamath Basin Refuges. A right turn at the end of the tour route will take you back to Hwy 97.

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge: Located in the Klamath Basin, on Highway 161 (Stateline Rd.) east of Hwy 97. While driving through the refuge you will want to stop frequently to observe waterfowl and raptors.
 Huge flocks of geese are present during migration, but are generally absent in winter. If you are lucky you may encounter large flocks of Tundra Swans, and if you are even luckier you might find a rare Trumpeter or Whooper Swan among them. Also search flocks of American Wigeon for their Eurasian cousins, which are regularly observed in modest numbers.
    Ring-necked Pheasants frequently stroll the shoulders of the highway.  Take time to check roadside trees (there aren't many) for roosting owls and perched hawks. A tour route begins on the south side of the road between mileposts 9.00 and 10.00, and makes a long loop back to the highway. Hooded Merganser is often present near the start. In winter pay special attention to the trees along the final stretch of the tour route, as they serve as favorite perches for Bald Eagles, hawks, and Great Horned Owls. If you are lucky you might see the less common Short-eared Owl, which favors the refuge's fields and marshes.

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge: From Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge continue east on Hwy 161, and turn right onto Hill Rd. The refuge headquarters and visitor center is on the right in 3.8 miles.
    You can get a bird checklist at the visitor center, which has some nice exhibits. Behind the building there are  bird feeders that are usually crowded with California Quail, sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, California and Spotted Towhees, and finches (which may in turn attract raptors). Be sure to inspect the sightings log to see what rarities are around! Roosting owls sometimes lurk in the trees around the headquarters. Also check ledges and crevices on the cliffs of nearby Sheepy Ridge for Barn and Great Horned Owls, and rocky terrain along the base of the ridge for resident Canyon Wrens.
     Northern Shrike is one of those unpredictable birds that can appear anywhere, but the stretch along Hill Road between the refuge headquarters and Lava Beds National Monument is one of the more likely places—scan every possible perch. Herds of Mule Deer and prowling Coyotes are commonly observed in the nearby fields. The Tule Lake Auto Tour Route is also good for waterfowl and  raptors; you can almost rely on seeing a Prairie Falcon somewhere along it. Near the end of the tour route, where there is upland brush adjacent to the road, is where you have your best chance of finding American Tree Sparrow, a rare winter visitor.

Petroglyph Section, Lava Beds National Monument: The following areas are all in Modoc County. From the end of the Tule Lake Auto Tour Route turn left. You will drive across an area of Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge known as "The Panhandle." Some interesting waterfowl are often present along this stretch of road (in winter I've seen Barrow's Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser here). In 1.5 mile turn left onto County Road 111, go .7 mile, and turn right onto County Road 126, which leads to the petroglyph cliffs (.8 mile).
     With a little searching you should be able to find a Barn Owl, or even two or three, hiding in the holes and crevices of the cliffs.  Other birds to look for here include eagles, hawks, Prairie Falcon, and Rock Wren. If it's a warm day the resident Yellow-bellied Marmots might come out and sit on the boulders.  The tall fence protects Indian petroglyphs. These drawings were made back when Tule Lake was much larger; in those days its waters reached the base of the precipice.

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge: Located just south of Alturas along Hwy 395. From the old steam engine at the south edge of town take County Road 56 east. In .6 mile turn right onto County Road 115, and follow signs to the refuge headquarters and tour route. Bald Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks are common in winter, and by driving roads near the refuge you have an excellent chance of sighting Northern Shrike. Townsend's Solitaire is fairly common in juniper woodland near Dorris Reservoir (on County Road 56). Look for Juniper Titmouse in this same habitat (if you don't find the titmouse near the reservoir, continue on County Road 56, and try again near milepost 10.50). The terrain and birdlife are generally similar to that of the Klamath Basin, although this area gets even colder in winter. Most waterfowl depart when the open water freezes.

Surprise Valley: From Alturas go north on Hwy 395, and take Hwy 299 east to Cedarville. From there you can drive Surprise Valley Road to the north or south; either direction is good. Birding in Surprise Valley is at its best in winter, when raptors seem to occupy every available perch, and Northern Shrikes are to be expected. Eagleville often lives up to its name. In some winters large numbers of Bohemian Waxwings invade Fort Bidwell, at the northern end of the valley. In summer watch for Sandhill Cranes in the pastures, and for Sage Thrasher and Brewer’s, Vesper, and Sage Sparrows in areas of sagebrush. Black-billed Magpie is common year-round. Surprise Valley Road is the valley's main route, but many side roads invite further exploration.

Joe Morlan's County Pages (Siskiyou County)

Joe Morlan's County Pages (Modoc County)

Lava Beds National Monument

Modoc County: the last frontier

Winter birding in the Klamath Basin 

Return to Birds West Home Page