Winter birding in Oregon offers unique adventures in far-flung places where sunny skies prevail and birds gather together in numbers seen almost nowhere else. The Klamath Basin in Southern Oregon has the largest gathering of bald eagles on the United States mainland, with 500 to 700 birds wintering in the area beginning in November and going through February each year. Hundreds of old-growth trees with dozens of eagles perched on them is an awe-inspiring sight every time, but the diversity of wildlife this time of year, especially the waterfowl, brings in birders as well. Here are some highlights for a spectacular birding trip.
What is the Klamath Basin?
The Klamath basin extends from Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, north of Klamath Falls, to two large national refuges south. It provides more than 200,000 acres of marshes and wetlands for migrating waterfowl and serves as a key stopover spot along their massive fall and spring migrations. These marshes play host to hundreds of thousands of migrating ducks, geese and swans each winter.
Places to See Raptors and Waterfowl
It’s easy to visit Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in your car, driving the auto tour route around the wildlife refuges looking for birds. The refuge — open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset — is located 20 miles south of Klamath Falls and has a 10.2-mile loop open year-round. If the timing’s right, you may see thousands upon thousands of ducks and geese spread out along the marshes and wetlands. Cars, especially electric and hybrids, make surprisingly effective bird blinds. Birds are used to cars, allowing you to approach more closely for great views. Don’t forget your binoculars or spotting scopes.
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, just 16 miles away, has a 9.6-mile one-way auto tour with magical views of snowcapped volcanoes in winter and marshes filled with myriad birds, including grebes, pelicans, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, herons, coots, shorebirds, gulls and terns.
On sunny, cool days in January or February, use binoculars to find the bald eagles perching in large trees around the perimeter of the Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge, a 4,200-acre forest of old-growth ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and incense cedar that was set aside to protect the favored roosting places for eagles. This refuge is completely closed to entry to all but deer hunters. Nevertheless, eagles may be observed from nearby roadways and especially when they head over nearby Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, often raising flocks of ducks and geese by the thousands. If you’re driving through the refuge when one of these occurs, it’s best viewed in the shelter of your car to avoid unpleasant gifts dropped overhead.
In addition to the bald eagles of the Klamath Basin, there are many other delightful things to do and see in winter, starting right in downtown Klamath Falls at the Lake Ewauna Nature Trail, a fantastic place to begin each morning with a brisk walk and views of wildlife in a slightly more urban setting. The nearby Link River Trail combines several different types of habitat that provide cover for overwintering songbirds and perches for the many raptor species that use the basin in winter.
Where to Stay While Birding
The Running Y Resort, just outside of Klamath Falls, offers lakeside wildlife viewing as well as access to the Skillet Handle Trail, a great place to see white-headed woodpeckers in winter. The trail goes along a peninsula that juts into Upper Klamath Lake — a great opportunity to get good views of waterfowl in winter when canoeing and kayaking aren’t available.
For a more central location, and a completely different vibe, check out The Klamath Inn, located in the Hot Springs neighborhood in Central Klamath Falls. This conservancy bed-and-breakfast celebrates the conservation efforts of American President Theodore Roosevelt in a classically preserved 1920s home, with culinary delights like afternoon tea cakes and Hungarian crepes for breakfast.
If you’re on an RV road trip and want quick access to Tule and Lower Klamath national wildlife refuges, consider Wild Goose Lodge & RV in the tiny town of Merrill, which lies 20 miles southeast of Klamath Falls and just a few miles from the state border. This pet-friendly lodge has two cabins and 13 rooms, as well as RV hook-ups and EV charging.
