Steve Thompson North Central Valley

Plan Your Visit

Welcome to Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area (including the Llano Seco Unit)!

This WMA is primarily composed of privately-owned properties under conservation easement, but does have one Service-owned property that is open to the public: the Llano Seco Unit. Located about 10 miles southwest of the city of Chico in Butte County, the Llano Seco Unit offers a Visitor Area with a Restroom and Information Kiosk, Observation Deck, Observation Mound and a Trail.

There are LOTS of recreational opportunities on the other refuges of the Complex, including Visitor Areas, Auto Tours, trails, bicycling, photography, and hunting.

Refuges of the Complex:

There are 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex: Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit (STNCV WMA), Butte Sink WMA, Willow Creek-Lurline WMA

Contact Us:

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is the Headquarters for the Sacramento NWR Complex.

Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm (closed on all Federal Holidays).
(530) 934-2801
sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov 

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
752 County Road 99W
Willows, CA  95988

What to Expect

You can expect to see something different every time you visit the refuge, depending on the season.

• January: wildlife viewing is less reliable as birds disperse to find food. Waterfowl counts average 995,000 and 100% of the wetlands are flooded.
• February: Winter burning is done to rejuvenate vegetation and nutrients. Waterfowl counts average 548,000 and 99% of the wetlands are flooded.
• March: Drawdowns begin to germinate food plants and prepare for summer field work. Waterfowl numbers decline as they migrate north. Waterfowl counts average 243,000 and 95% of the wetlands are flooded.
• April: Shorebirds stop by to use the shallow drawdowns on their way north; neotropical songbirds also stop by on their way north. Waterfowl counts average 80,000 and 75% of the wetlands are flooded.
• May: Nesting occurs for summer residents. Waterfowl counts average 6,700 and 15% of the wetlands are flooded.
• June: Irrigations are done to bring food plants to maturity; grazing occurs to manage invasive species and encourage native plants; field work begins. Waterfowl counts average 6,900 and 15% of the wetlands are flooded.
• July: Field work continues to control invasive species and enhance habitat. Waterfowl counts average 6,300 and 15% of the wetlands are flooded.
• August: Summer residents remain:  mallards, wood ducks, herons, egrets, grebes, swallows, turtles, snakes, jackrabbits, deer, otters and many more! Waterfowl counts average 23,000 and 15% of the wetlands are flooded.
• September: Fall flood-ups begin and are staggered to provide fresh food for newly arriving migrants. Shorebirds stop by on their way south. Waterfowl counts average 348,000 and 25% of the wetlands are flooded.
• October: Ducks arrive by the thousands. Waterfowl counts average 1,500,000 and 75% of the wetlands are flooded.
• November: Geese arrive by the thousands, and waterfowl numbers peak at the end of the month. Evening fly-offs occur at dusk as birds go out to feed in the rice. Waterfowl counts average 1,800,000 and 95% of the wetlands are flooded.
• December: Waterfowl numbers peak at the beginning of the month, and raptor numbers peak as they follow the waterfowl. Ducks disperse across the valley at the end of the month, as goose numbers peak. Waterfowl counts average 1,400,000 and 100% of the wetlands are flooded.
   

Found a baby bird? Injured wildlife?

The refuge does NOT rescue, rehabilitate or accept animals. Please do not call the refuge regarding injured or orphaned animals.  You can visit California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Native Wildlife Rehabilitation for resources near you.