photo by Brett Cole

The Klamath Basin provides numerous, year round opportunities to view spectacular wildlife and nature.  The early spring and late fall waterfall migrations are one of the basin’s more spectacular features, although there is never a wrong time to see this area’s marshes, wildlife refuges, and surrounding public forest wildlands.

Because 75 percent or more of the millions of waterfowl migrating along the Pacific Flyway stop in fall and spring to feed and rest in the Klamath Basin, Oregon Wild is frequently asked about are the best places to see birds?  Many excellent websites contain the information included here.  In addition, at Oregon Wild’s site, we provide information to other, lesser known, outstanding Klamath Basin locations where you can hike, bike, and/or canoe.

photo by Brett Cole

One terrific online birding resource is through the Klamath Basin Wingwatchers.  Here, you can read or obtain their comprehensive Klamath Basin Birding Trail Booklet (probably the most complete current guide to birding locations and natural areas in the Klamath Basin).

The Klamath Basin is so important to America's birds that six National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) have been established in the area.  About half of the basin’s millions of migrating birds stop at each year in these refuges.  Visit the Klamath Basin NWR’s site for additional information.  

The places for waterfowl, other bird species, and wildlife are most easily seen (from north to south) include Klamath Marsh NWR (immediately east of Crater Lake National Park)’ BLM's Wood River Wetlands (west of Chiloquin), and various locations along the west side of Upper Klamath Lake such as at Malone Springs (with Rocky Point the best place to rent a row boat or canoe).  Continuing south, another very good place to see birds is at the extreme south end of Upper Klamath Lake.  In early spring this is the best place in Oregon to see a Clark's Grebe, as well as similar (more common) Western Grebes.  Grebes do their side by side "rushing display" along the top of the water.  This display is most often seen in April and into May.

Also, in the early spring the Klamath Wildlife Area (off Hwy. 97, immediately south of Klamath Falls) is especially rich for big Ross' Goose numbers, as well as a good place to see Bald Eagles (mid February to early April).  For Lower Klamath NWR and Tule Lake NWR, immediately east of Lower Klamath, there is a lot of information available on the refuges’ and other websites. New and old visitors to the basin refuges will also want to stop at the Klamath Basin NWR’s headquarters’ visitor center which is on the northwest end of Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

For additional information follow the following links:

Frequently Asked Questions about Klamath birding 

For more on “In & About - Klamath Falls, Oregon”

For recent bird sightings

In February (when the geese and swans return and bald eagle number’s peak) the Klamath Basin Audubon Society sponsors the Winter Wings Festival in conjunction with the Klamath Wingwatchers.

For more visitor information contact the Chamber office .