Tips
for Wildlife Watching
With
over 250 bird species and 30 mammal species on the refuge, the patient
observer or photographer has many excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities.
To maximize your chance of seeing wildlife, plan when
to visit, where to go, and how
to see wildlife.
When
to Visit
The refuge is open all year from dawn to dusk. The refuge visitor
center is open weekdays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., except on Federal
holidays. Wildlife is generally most active in the mornings and early
evenings. Each season brings different wildlife-viewing
opportunities. The best season for viewing a wide variety of wildlife
is from September through December. Return to top.
Where
to Go
View
a variety of upland, riparian, and lake wildlife from the Visitor
Center observation room. In recent years, nesting osprey have been
visible in spring and summer on the nest platform visible from the observation
room. In winter, large numbers of bald eagles can often be seen from the
observation room.
If
you prefer a walking tour, visit the 1/2-mile, self-guided Nature Trail
at the Visitor Center. Visitors interested in a longer hike can follow
several miles of internal refuge roads beginning at the Visitor Center
or at Gotts Point.
For a driving tour, take the
29.5-mile Lake Lowell Sector Bird Tour or the
47-mile Snake River Islands Sector Bird Tour. Both tours start and end at the east end of the Upper Dam.
For information about other
places to watch wildlife in Idaho, consult the Idaho
Watchable Wildlife Viewing Guide.
Return to top.
How
to See Wildlife
Here are a few tips to make wildlife watching enjoyable and rewarding:
- Visit in the morning
or early evening when wildlife is generally most active.
- If driving, stay in your
car to avoid scaring wildlife.
- If walking, move slowly
and quietly to avoid scaring wildlife.
- Stay on maintained trails and do not approach wildlife too closely.
- Sit quietly and wait
patiently. Although wildlife may disappear when you arrive, if you
are quiet and still they will often return shortly.
- Use binoculars or a spotting
scope to view animals up close without disturbing them.
- Bring a field guide to help you identify the species you see. Consult the refuge bird
list, mammal list, and other
wildlife lists to find out what to expect.
- Improve your birding skills
at other web sites:
Study
Guide for New and Experienced Birders
Bird
Song Tutor
- Look for indirect evidence that other animals have been there before you. You might see tracks
or chewed leaves or branches.
- Leave pets at home.
Pets will scare wildlife before you get a chance to see it.
Return to top.
