Birding

The refuge is home to large concentrations of wintering ducks, geese, and swans. Neotropical migrants and grassland songbirds are also abundant -- all are easily viewed from the refuge's 3 auto tour routes and nature trails, which are open year-round. Many bird species occur on the refuge seasonally. View our Nature's Calendar on the Species page of this website--along with our Bird List brochure, available inside the visitor center and at most of the outdoor information kiosks--for more information about the birds that you are most likely to see throughout the seasons. During the hot dry days of summer, you are more likely to see a greater number of bird species in the morning – the next best time for summer birds is in the late afternoon/early evening. Likewise, most mammals, including the tule elk, are more likely to be visible in the morning or early evening during the hot months.