Bird Watching
| Anderson Marsh Historic State Park | |||
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8825 Hwy 53 Lower Lake, CA 95457 www.parks.ca.gov |
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| Teaming with wildlife. The 470 acres of meadow, oak and manzanita contain historic and prehistoric evidence of human habitation dating back about 10,000 years. As a new and undeveloped state park, Anderson Marsh is the perfect place to get away from the bustle and noise of the city. | |||
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| Cache Creek Nature Area |
| E Hwy 20, Eastern Lake County 5 miles from intersection of Hwy 53 & 20 (707) 468-4075 www.blm.gov |
| The Cache Creek Natural Area is a primitive area, closed to motorized vehicles. There are no developed campgrounds or facilities. Non-hunting (target) shooting is not allowed. Instead, the area is managed to improve habitat for wildlife and rare plants, to protect cultural resource values, and to offer primitive recreation opportunities, including wildlife viewing, river running, hiking, equestrian use, hunting and fishing. Biking is not allowed. This secluded, hilly expanse of oak woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral is a combination of over 70,000 acres of BLM managed lands and 4,700 acres of State and County lands. The Natural Area is traversed by Cache Creek, with its year-round water flow. Elevation ranges from 3200 feet atop Brushy Sky High, down to 600 feet in the eastern end of Cache Creek along State Route 16. Showcasing the area is about 35 miles of the main fork of Cache Creek and 2.5 miles of the north fork. Also present are several tributary creeks that contain permanent water. The trailhead is located on the south side of Hwy. 20 just five miles east of the intersection of Highways 53 and 20 (The Y). |
| Boggs Mountain | |||
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Highway 175, Cobb, CA 95426 (707) 928-4378 www.boggsmountain.org |
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| The Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest off Hwy. 175 in the Cobb Mountain area is a good example of Lake County's mountainous terrain. The birding is sometimes sparse here but is a great place to hike. Fee for camping, no reservations. 20 campsites. Entrance to the forest is 1.2 miles past the town of Cobb as you head north on Hwy. 175. There is no sign right at the entrance, but a few yards before the turn-off is a blue sign that reads "State Fire Station". Turn right just past this sign and head into the forest. Stop at the main office if you would like a map of all the hiking trails and campgrounds. | |||
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| Borax Lake | |||
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An excellent winter birdwatching spot is Borax Lake. One can often spy flocks of Northern Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, Scaups, and Buffleheads on Borax Lake during the winter months. Eared Grebes are also a fairly common sighting on this lake. It is also a good location to look for migrating shorebirds in late July, August, and September. The easiest way to find Borax Lake is to simply drive through the city of Clearlake on Lakeshore Drive, heading northwest. There are lots of turnouts along the main road where it is convenient to pull over and view the ducks with your spotting scope or binoculars. | ||
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| Clear Lake State Park | |||
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5300 Soda Bay Road Kelseyville, CA 95451 (707) 279-4293 (800) 444-7275 www.parks.ca.gov |
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| 147 RV and camp sites and rustic cabins. Open all year. A check list of the birds of Clear Lake State Park is available at the entrance gate or the Park's Visitor Center. Well-marked hiking paths throughout the park also afford good birdwatching. Day use fee if not camping. | |||
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| Lakeside County Park | |||
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1985 Park Drive, Lakeport, CA 95453 (707) 262-1618 www.co.lake.ca.us |
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| Located west of Clear Lake State Park (towards Lakeport) and also off of Soda Bay Road, the County Park is the place to visit in early and middle spring. Park is 53 acres. | |||
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| Highland Springs Recreation Area | |||
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3600 E Highland Springs Road Lakeport, CA 95453 (707) 263-2341 www.co.lake.ca.us |
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Warm water fishing, swimming, and non-powered boating are enjoyed at Highland Springs Reservoir, a small lake south of Lakeport. The reservoir covers 146 acres of land and is fed by Highland Creek. Catfish, bass, crappie, and bluegill are found in the lake. A large grassy area, picnic facilities, and restrooms are located next to the reservoir. There are horseshoe pits and a basketball court. A disc golf course just off Highland Springs Road is available for public use. |
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