Birding

During the spring and fall seasons, migratory birds return to the refuge to use it as a migratory stopover site, where they rejuvenate themselves before continuing their journeys that can span hundreds, if not thousands, of miles. Every spring and fall, the refuge playa lakes are full of different shorebirds and waterfowl looking to get their fill and rest before continuing their hazardous migration. In the summer, find breeding birds raising their young in the trees and along the shorelines, using the thick foliage to hide them until they fledge. In the winter, find species of birds that overwinter on the refuge, waiting out the brutal cold in the Arctic. Be ready to observe these birds throughout the year with different species, some for very short periods before they move on. Observe these birds from Lake 13 and the county roads.