Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
Birding the Volcanic Legacy from Klamath Falls to Lava Beds N.M.

Departure: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Destination: Lava Beds National Monument, California
Time to allow: 1 day

Plan for a full day of birding from Klamath Falls, south into California to Lower Klamath Lake, and over to Lava Beds National Monument.

This road trip was created under collaboration with the Fish & Wildlife Service. For more information and birding locations off Volcanic Legacy All-American Road in the Klamath Basin, one of the best birding areas in the country, visit the website for the Klamath Basin Birding Trail or call 1-800-445-6728.

Day 1

  • Start: Klamath Falls

    Located in the south central region of Oregon and bordering northern California, Klamath Falls sits on the southern shore of the Upper Klamath Lake, nestled in the Klamath Basin on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains.

  • Stop 1: Klamath State Wildlife Area, Miller Island Unit

    From previous stop: 2 minutes / 1 mi (1.6 km)
    Directions:

    Directions from previous place: From Klamath Falls drive S on Hwy 97, travel 0.8 mi. S of MP 279. Turn W (R) onto Miller Island Rd, and the wildlife area begins after you cross the railroad tracks. Driving N from the CA border on Hwy 97, continue 0.2 miles N of MP 280. Turn W L onto Miller Island Rd. The wildlife area begins after you cross the railroad tracks.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Habitat varies from developed agricultural land to seasonal and permanent wetlands. Of the 2400 acres, approximately 1200 are either seasonal or permanent wetlands.

    Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Nern Harrier and other raptors, Sandhill Crane, herons, egrets, many duck species, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. The Miller Island Unit is a prime staging area in the late winter and early spring for migrating Ross’s, Snow, and White-fronted Geese.

  • Stop 2: Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Optional - best in winter)

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 5 mi (8.0 km)
    Directions:

    Return to route 97 and turn S. Continue on 97 past Worden and turn right on the Keno-Worden Road. Immediately after crossing the railroad tracks turn left on the gravel, all-weather road. Stop at the entrance to the refuge, about 2 miles from the Keno-Worden Road intersection.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Habitat: Timber transitions from mixed juniper and pines at the lower elevations of the Refuge to mixed Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir at higher elevations.

    Distinct features: The Refuge is not open to public entry, but winter flyouts of Bald Eagle and other raptors are visible from the road into Bear Valley.

    Birds to Look For: Bald Eagle, Raven, Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks. The late-winter Bald Eagle flyout, which is most impressive in mid-February, occurs at and shortly following first-light each morning.

    For more information contact: Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges, 530-667-2231.

  • Stop 3: Butte Valley

    From previous stop: 15 minutes / 7 mi (11.2 km)
    Directions:

    Return to Hwy 97 and head south. After crossing the California/Oregon state line, drive approximately 3 mi south to First and Main St. in Dorris. Take First St. west for 3 mi First St. becomes Picard Road. After passing the cemetery, the next 2 miles is very good raptor viewing.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Habitat: Butte Valley is well-known for its excellent raptor viewing, but there are many other attractions besides raptors. Pronghorn can be seen in large groups in winter and are seen in smaller, widely scattered groups the rest of the year. Birding in the Butte Valley is enhanced by the plethora of places available to stop and observe wildlife. Much of Butte Valley is farmland, primarily alfalfa, strawberries, onions and potatoes. Non-farm habitats include junipers, which are mixed in with sagebrush and grasslands.

    Bald and Golden eagles, Swainsonis, Ferrugineous and Red-tailed hawks. Passerine species include Loggerhead and Northern Shrike, Lazuli Bunting and Chipping, Lark, Savannah and Brewer's sparrows.

    A good raptor viewing area is the Shady Dell/Sheep Mountain Rd. area located south to the east of Hwy 97. From the stateline, Shady Dell Rd is less than 10 mi south on Hwy 97. Turn left (east) at the National Grassland sign. When you come to the irrigated fields, check for raptors.

    Sheep Mountain Rd is the next road to the south and can be reached by either Dorris-Technor Rd or Macdoel-Dorris Rd. Raptor viewing is also good on the western side of Hwy 97 from Meiss Lake Rd or the other farm roads to the south.

  • Stop 4: Butte Valley National Grasslands

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 4.5 mi (7.2 km)
    Directions:

    Return to Hwy 97 turn south and travel to Meiss Lake/Sams Neck Rd. Turn west 1.75 mi to the red cinder road that traverses the grassland north and south. Go either left or right on the cinder road. Other roads in the grassland may not be well-maintained.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Habitat: Located in California between the communities of Dorris and Macdoel, the 18,425 acre Butte Valley National Grassland is managed by the United States Forest Service. Habitat includes sagebrush, rabbit brush, juniper and grasses.

    Birds to look for: Sage Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow, Horned Lark and Lark Sparrow. Nesting raptors include Golden Eagle, Red-tailed and Swainson's Hawks and in recent years Ferruginous Hawks.

  • Stop 5: Butte Valley Wildlife Management Area

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 5.5 mi (8.8 km)
    Directions:

    Return to Hwy 97 turn S and travel 5.5 mi south on Highway 97 to Meiss Lake Road (not to be confused with the Meiss Lake/Sams Neck Road to the north), turn right and travel 3 miles to the tour route entrance located on the right.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Managed by the California Department of Fish and Game, the 13,400 acre Butte Valley Wildlife Area is primarily a waterfowl hunting area administered by the State of California.

    Habitat: The varied habitat includes 4,000 acre Meiss Lake as well as other wetlands, croplands, grasslands and woodlands.

    Birds to look for: Waterfowl include Ross's Goose and Tundra Swan and a variety of dabbling ducks. Various shorebirds are seen in migration. Wilson's Phalarope and Wilson’s Snipe breed here. Bald Eagle and Rough-legged Hawk are common in winter.

  • Stop 6: Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

    From previous stop: 45 minutes / 23 mi (36.8 km)
    Directions:

    Return to Hwy 97 and drive north about 13 miles to the junction of Hwy 97 and 161 (Stateline Road), just south of the California/Oregon border. Turn east and continue 9.8 miles to the entrance to the Refuge’s auto tour route.

    The 53,000 acre refuge offers a mix of shallow freshwater marshes, open water, grass and sagebrush uplands, and crop lands. Lower Klamath was set aside in 1908 as the first migratory waterfowl refuge in the United States. The refuge features a marked ten mile graveled auto tour that allows visitors year round access to great wildlife viewing opportunities. During the winter , large numbers of Bald Eagles and other raptors are easily seen on this refuge.

    The Refuge has a number of photo blinds that are strategically situated for great early morning photography. You can reserve blinds at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge visitor center on Hill Road, call 530-667-2231.

    Birds to look for during the breeding season (May through September) include grebes, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, American Bittern, egrets, Black-crowned Night-Heron, White-faced Ibis, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Sandhill Crane, Snowy Plover (rare), many species of shorebirds, Wilson’s Phalarope, Black Tern, several swallow species, Marsh Wren, Tricolored and Yellow-headed blackbirds. Canada Goose broods as well as Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Lesser Scaup and Redhead broods are commonly observed during the late spring and summer.

    The spring and fall migrations (March/April and October/November) bring impressive flocks of Greater White-fronted, Snow and Ross’ geese, Northern Pintail, Mallard, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Canvasback, Ruddy Duck and Common Goldeneye to the refuges.

    Winter species most common include Northern Shoveler, Hooded and Common mergansers, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Tundra Swans. Each winter from January through early March as many as 500 to 1000 Bald Eagles are found in the Klamath Basin (most feeding daily on Lower Klamath Refuge). Impressive numbers of Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Red-tailed and Rough-legged hawks may be observed during the winter as well. Smaller numbers of Merlin, Peregrine Falcon (rare), Prairie Falcon and an occasional Golden Eagle are also seen.

    Year-round species include Ring-necked Pheasant, Common Barn Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Mallard, Gadwall and Song Sparrow.

    Mammals observed on the refuge include Yellow-bellied Marmot and Belding’s Ground Squirrels in the summer and River Otter, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Short-tailed Weasel and Mink which are observed year round. Most of the species mentioned here are also seen seasonally on nearby Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Stop 7: Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

    From previous stop: 30 minutes
    Directions:

    From the Lower Klamath auto tour route return to Hwy 161 and turn east to the intersection of Hill Road. Turn South and continue 4 miles to Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center. The entrance to Tule Lake NWR auto tour route is 5 miles south of the visitor center on Hill Road.

    The refuge visitor center on Hill Road provides a wealth of information, exhibits and audio visual programs for visitors (open seven days per week). Discovery Marsh, across from the visitor center, offers a short trail, exhibit panels and a chance to observe refuge habitats and some of the wildlife found in the Klamath Basin. The Refuge also has a number of photo blinds that are strategically situated for great early morning photography. Reserve blinds at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Hill Road, call 530-667-2231.

    A ten mile auto tour route provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing of many birds and mammals year round including Mule Deer, Bobcat, and Coyote during the winter and Yellow-bellied Marmot and California and Belding’s Ground squirrels during the summer.

    The 39,000 acre refuge is famous for large flocks of migrating ducks and geese during the spring and fall migrations (March/April and October/November). (including Mallard, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Ruddy duck, Canvasback, White-fronted, Cackling Canada, Snow and Ross’s geese)

    The late winter (December through February) provides the best opportunities to observe Bald Eagles and other raptors including Prairie Falcon, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged and Red-tailed hawks and American Kestrel. Marsh and water birds seen along the refuge’s auto tour route and public roads during the spring and summer include Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy egrets, White-faced Ibis, American White Pelican, Bonaparte’s Gull, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Spotted Sandpiper, Sora, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren and Yellow-headed Blackbird. Upland birds seen primarily on the west side of the refuge along Hill Road throughout the year include Great Horned Owl, Common Barn Owl, Golden Eagle, California Quail, Spotted and California towhees, Say’s Phoebe, Cliff Swallow, Canyon and Rock wrens, Bushtit, Townsend’s Solitaire, Sage Thrasher, and Juniper/Oak Titmouse. During the fall, winter and spring birds found in the upland juniper/sagebrush habitats include Dark-eyed Junco,White-crowned and Golden-crowned sparrows, Mountain Bluebird and Northern Shrike.

  • End: Lava Beds National Monument

    From previous stop: 30 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
    Directions:

    From the Tule Lake auto route route there are two options: 1) Completing the entire loop will return to Hill Road. Turn south and continue to Lava Beds NM and its Visitor Center. 2) Exit the auto tour route and refuge on to County Rd 111 (Lava Beds Road) and turn west to Hill Road.

    This diverse area is vegetated with sagebrush intermixed with grasslands and scattered juniper transitioning to Ponderosa pine forest at the higher elevations. The Monument is characterized by lava flows, cinder cones and many lava tube caves. Many stops and trails are available featuring the geology and Modoc War history of the Monument.

    Birds to look for: Turkey Vulture, Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, California Quail, Barn Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Common Nighthawk, Calliope Hummingbird, Say’s Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Western and Mountain bluebirds, Green-tailed Towhee, Pinyon Jay and Lark Sparrow.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 56 miles / 89.6 km
Total Travel Time: 2 hours 32 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 7 hours