Wildlife abounds in Siskiyou! Birders and nature photographers in particular will have a field day on this ultimate birding road trip through north and east Siskiyou.
Start in Yreka
Spend a night in historic Yreka, then get an early morning start. Head to the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area in nearby Montague. Designated in 1991, it contains approximately 4,700 acres of Great Basin juniper woodland, riparian forest, seasonal wetlands, and crop lands. In background, the views of Mt. Shasta are to die for. Sandhill cranes, waterfowl, raptors, and shorebirds are commonly seen at Shasta Valley. You might also catch sight of deer, porcupines, and coyotes. Then, head northeast, stopping first at Grass Lake along Highway 97. From there, head to the nearby Butte Valley National Grassland and Wildlife Area where spectacular birds of prey soar overhead, offering incredible opportunities for birdwatching and photography.
Spend a Night in Dorris or Tulelake
Grab a hotel room in Dorris or Tulelake, then spend the next couple of days exploring the Klamath Basin Refuge Complex. The Complex is made up of six individual refuges, including the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, the very first waterfowl refuge in the county. It’s also home to the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge. There are thousands of species to see, including one of the largest concentrations of wintering bald eagles outside of Alaska.
For more information on Siskiyou’s spectacular birds of prey, visit here.
To learn about the best places and times to spot birds in Lower Klamath National Wildlife refuge listen to the Siskiyou Birding podcast.
