Tulelake Birding

heart of the pacific flyway display at the tulelake, california rest stop.
Almost 500 species visit or live these refuge-agricultural lands.
Tule Lake Basin is an important stopover for the Pacific Flyway. Four national wildlife refuges, and thousands of acres of private farmlands converge to provide habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors, big game, small mammals and aquatic life. At least 489 species of wildlife visit or live in this volcanic wonderland. Upwards of 500 bald eagles migrate to the area November through April. North America’s largest concentration of snow geese arrive in the spring.

tule lale basin habitats

small riparian imageRiparian Habitat is located along the shoreline of rivers, lakes and wetlands within the Upper Klamath Basin watershed. Vegetation found in riparian habitats includes deciduous trees such as willow, cottonwood and aspen which are found along the shore lines of these water bodies. Many bird species use riparian habitats as travel corridors during the spring and fall migrations. Other birds may use riparian locations as favored sites for nesting and breeding.

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deep water badge, habitats.  photo by anders tomlinson Deep water and permanent marshes are found in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins. Habitat includes Klamath, Williamson, Wood, Sprague, and Lost Rivers; Upper Klamath , Clear and Tule Lakes, many smaller deep wetlands
and permanent marshes. Fish eating species such as grebes, pelicans, gulls, terns and diving ducks use these wetlands. The vegetation growing in these wetlands
(primarily cattail and bulrush stands which are also called “tules”) provide habitat for rails, white-faced ibis, egrets, herons, yellow-headed black birds to name only a few.

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Abundant shallow wetlands are found in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins. These wetlands have historically had water during the winter and spring, but tended to dry out during the summer and fall. Today, most wildlife areas and refuges manage seasonal wetlands using water control structures to mimic this yearly wet and dry cycle. Wading shorebirds and dabbing ducks are among the diverse wildlife species commonly seen in seasonal marshes and wetlands. photo by anders tomlinsonAbundant shallow wetlands are found in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins. These wetlands have historically had water during the winter and spring, but tended to dry out during the summer and fall. Today, most wildlife areas and
refuges manage seasonal wetlands using water control structures to mimic this yearly wet and dry cycle. Wading shorebirds and dabbing ducks are among the diverse wildlife species commonly seen in seasonal marshes and wetlands.

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More habitats will be added over the coming days.

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Presented by Dave Menke, Anders Tomlinson, Howard West and anderstomlinson.com/tule-lake/.
© 2014 Dave Menke, Anders Tomlinson and Howard West, all rights reserved.

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