Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley

Transcription

1 Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley Welcome to The Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion Birdwatching is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities in the nation. For visitors to Ashland, birdwatching offers a nice complement to the cultural tourism that attracts 250,000 visitors annually. This Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley was created to help visitors and residents get outdoors and enjoy the natural splendor of the region and its birds. To plan your visit to Ashland and the surrounding countryside, go online to the Ashland Chamber s Visitor and Convention Bureau website for information ( on food, lodging, and entertainment. Western Tanager; Located in southern Oregon and northern California, the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion is defined by the convergence of the Cascade Mountains from the north, the Sierra Nevadas from the south, the Coast Range, and the eastwest running Klamath and Siskiyou Mountains. This region includes the Umpqua, Rogue, and Klamath River watersheds. Due to its complex geology and climate, the Bioregion is among the most biologically diverse in the world! The Bioregion contains a wide variety of habitat types, which in turn support a plethora of species, including endemic plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. This habitat diversity supports a rich avifauna, making the Bioregion an excellent place for birdwatching. This guide highlights many of the region s birding hotspots that are just a short distance from Ashland, Oregon. Using this Guide This guide showcases 32 birding locations throughout Ashland and the Rogue Valley, covering a variety of habitats and birdlife. Each site description includes a brief characterization of the habitat plus mention of species of note. While locations can be birded individually, we provide six birding routes with directions from one location to the next. Routes are designed as full or half-day birding trips. To easily find locations, we recommend that you use a detailed road map to accompany the map provided in this guide (pp. 8-9). Golden-crowned Kinglet; Version 2.0 Klamath Bird Observatory 2012

2 ebird: The Critical Link Between Birdwatching and Conservation Birdwatchers can play a crucial role in bird conservation by serving as citizen scientists and sharing their observations using Klamath-Siskiyou ebird ( This online map-based application offers fun tools for tracking the birds that you see at your favorite birding locations and for exploring new birding possibilities. Golden-crowned Sparrow; By entering your bird observation data into Klamath-Siskiyou ebird you can contribute to local, regional, national, and international conservation efforts while tracking your birding observations. To enter you birding data today, visit: Birding Ethics Klamath Bird Observatory recommends the American Birding Association s Principles of Birding Ethics (summarized below from Everyone who enjoys birds and birding should always respect wildlife, the environment, and the rights of others. When birding, remember your safety and the welfare of the birds and their environments come first. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment. Avoid the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds. Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley 2 Do not disturb nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important feeding sites keep your distance. Avoid artificial light for filming or photography, especially for close-ups. Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum. Respect the law, the rights of others, and private property. Practice common courtesy in contacts. Your exemplary behavior will generate goodwill among birders and non-birders alike. Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment, and does not interfere with others using the same area. Klamath Bird Observatory Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) was built on two decades of conservation science efforts in the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion of southern Oregon and northern California. KBO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships. KBO s work is focused in this Bioregion, renowned for its outstanding biological diversity. To learn more about KBO, visit Yellow-breasted Chat;

3 North Medford Field Trip Half-day trip from Ashland Denman State Wildlife Area From Ashland, go north on I-5. Take 2 nd Medford Exit (Exit 30 Crater Lake Highway). Turn right at light onto Crater Lake Highway (Highway 62). Follow Highway 62 out past Costco. Watch for the Agate Road sign on the left. If you miss Agate Road, turn left on Antelope Road or Avenue G to get back onto Agate Road. Follow Agate north past Avenue G and see small gated road into Denman State Wildlife Area. Latitude: ; Longitude: Bird this road all the way to the Rogue River through grasslands and into riparian habitats. Listen for Grasshopper Sparrows on right. Virginia Rails can be found in ponds on left. Toward the end of the road enjoy the riparian birds including Yellowbreasted Chats, Yellow Warblers, and Warbling Vireos. Along Military Slough, look for roosting Great Horned Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Wrentits. Tou Velle State Park Grasshopper Sparrow; From Denman State Wildlife Area head south on Agate Road and turn right on Avenue G; Avenue G dog legs to the right and becomes Pacific Avenue. Turn right onto Kirtland Road and then take the first right onto Table Rock Road. Enter the public access area of Tou Velle State Park where Table Rock Road crosses the Rogue River. On the east side of Table Rock Road at Tou Velle there is an 3 Oak/Pine edge and more riparian habitat. There is a small parking fee required. Latitude: ; Longitude: In the spring look for the large Great Blue Heron rookery and nesting Osprey. Other species of note include Brown Creeper, American Dipper, Belted Kingfisher, waterfowl, and possible Acorn, Downy, Hairy, and Lewis s Woodpecker. Great Blue Heron; Lower Table Rock Trail From Tou Velle State Park follow Table Rock Road north, then west, then north again, and turn left on Wheeler Road. Turn left into Lower Table Rock trailhead parking lot. Latitude: ; Longitude: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; There is plenty of birding within the first ½ mile on the trailhead in the oak woodlands. The trail to the top of Lower Table Rock is also nice; leave Version 2.0 Klamath Bird Observatory 2012

4 at least 2 hours up and back. Look for Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Anna s Hummingbirds, Ashthroated Flycatchers, Lark Sparrows, Oak Titmice, Acorn Woodpeckers, Western Bluebirds, and California Towhees. Whetstone Pond Follow Table Rock Road back towards Highway 62. Turn left onto East Gregory Road. Turn left into the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office for access and parking to the Whetstone Pond. Latitude: ; Longitude: White-tailed Kites and Northern Mockingbirds can be seen here. Short-eared Owl; Highway 140 Loop Full-day trip from Ashland White-tailed Kite; Medford Airport Follow East Gregory Road to Highway 62 and go right towards Medford. Turn right on East Vilas Road. Turn left again onto Industry Drive. Field access is located at the intersection of Industry Drive and Enterprise Way and on International Way. Latitude: ; Longitude: At dawn and dusk look for Short-eared Owls in the winter. NOTE: Parts of this trip are inaccessible in the winter and spring due to snow pack. These roads are designated with this symbol (*). Agate Lake From Ashland, go north on I-5. Take 2 nd Medford Exit (Exit 30 Crater Lake Highway). Turn right at light onto Crater Lake Highway (Highway 62). Follow Highway 62 out past Costco. Turn right onto Lake of the Woods Highway (Highway 140) heading east. Turn right on Antelope Road and follow around a right turn to Dry Creek Road. Turn right on Dry Creek and into the entrance of Agate Lake, a Jackson County Park. Latitude: ; Longitude: Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley 4

5 View waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and waders surrounding the lake and raptors and songbirds in the fields and oak woodlands. Look for Lewis s and Acorn Woodpeckers, Northern Harrier, and White-tailed Kite. Migrating shorebirds include Greater Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plover, Longbilled Dowitcher, and various sandpipers, including Pectoral and Baird s. the whole loop you might save the mixed conifer birding for Forest Service Road 37, the next stop. Forest Service Road 37 (*) Continue up 140 to the east approximately 15 miles, and turn right on Big Elk Road and continue onto Forest Service Road 37. Follow Forest Service Road 37 south to Dead Indian Memorial Highway. Latitude: ; Longitude: Follow this road through mixed conifer and riparian habitats. Look for Red-breasted Nuthatches, Hermit Warblers, Pine Siskins, Empidonax flycatchers, and Mountain and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. Northern Goshawks also inhabit the area. Lewis s Woodpecker; Salt Creek Road (*) Head back to Highway 140 and continue east. About 10 miles out on Highway 140, turn left (north) up Salt Creek Road. Latitude: Longitude: Bewick s Wren; Make several stops up Salt Creek Road through oak woodlands into mixed conifer habitats. Look for Lark Sparrow, Blue -gray Gnatcatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Whitebreasted Nuthatch, California Towhee, Western Bluebird, Bewick s Wren, House Wren, Pacificslope Flycatcher, Nashville Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, Wrentit, and Lesser Goldfinch lower in the oaks and shrubs. In the conifers find Redbreasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush, Pacific Wren, Brown Creeper, and Hermit Warbler. If you do Lily Glen Recreation Area Continue along Forest Service Road 37 to the intersection of Dead Indian Memorial Highway. Turn right (west) towards Ashland. Lily Glen Recreation Area is on the left overlooking Howard Prairie Lake. Latitude: ; Longitude: In the large meadows look for Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, Western and Mountain Bluebirds, Savannah Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Brownheaded Cowbirds, Common Snipe, Wilson s Phalaropes, White Pelicans, and Vesper Sparrows. Mountain Bluebird; 5 Version 2.0 Klamath Bird Observatory 2012

6 Howard Prairie Lake There are several side roads off of Dead Indian Memorial Highway that provide access to Ponderosa Pine-meadow edge habitats. Turn left onto Hyatt Prairie Road to view birds along the west shore of Howard Prairie Lake. Latitude: ; Longitude: At Howard Prairie Lake look for White Pelicans, Sandhill Cranes, and Caspian Terns. Conde Creek Road (*) From Howard Prairie back track to Dead Indian Memorial Highway, and turn left, heading west towards Ashland. As the road heads back up the hill turn right on Conde Creek Road. Latitude: ; Longitude: Along Conde Creek Road look for Williamson s and Redbreasted Sapsuckers, White-headed Woodpeckers, and Greentailed Towhees in the mixed conifer habitat. Caspian Tern; Williamson s Sapsucker; Photo Tom Grey Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley 6 Shale City Road (*) Towards the top of the grade on Dead Indian Memorial Highway, before dropping back down into the Rogue Valley, Shale City Road turns off to the north, into mixed conifer habitat. Latitude: ; Longitude: Look for Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, Blue Grouse, Northern Pygmy Owl, and possible Great-gray Owl. Highway 66 Loop Full-day trip from Ashland NOTE: Parts of this trip are inaccessible in the winter and spring due to snow pack. These roads are designated with this symbol(*). Emigrant Lake Great-gray Owl; From Ashland head east to Highway 66 following the highway around Emigrant Lake. Several lake access roads can be turned onto providing opportunities to bird riparian and oak woodland habitats around the lake. There is a nice access point across from the intersection of Old Highway 99.

7 Latitude: ; Longitude: See Lewis s and Acorn Woodpeckers, Ash-throated Flycatchers, California Towhees, White-tailed Kites, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Golden Eagles. On the lake look for Greater White-fronted Geese and both Western and Clark s Grebes. Red-shouldered Hawk; Cascade Siskiyou National Monument: Emigrant Creek Road From Emigrant Lake follow Highway 66 east and turn right onto Buckhorn Spring Road. Follow Buckhorn Spring Road into the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument for oak woodland birding. Latitude: ; Longitude: From the road, look for Black-throated Gray Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and Rufous Hummingbirds. Highway 66 Milepost 11 Head back out the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument to Highway 66 and continue east to the pull out at milepost 11. Watch for oncoming traffic! Latitude: ; Longitude: Look for Black-billed Magpies, Golden Eagles, and in the winter, Lewis Woodpecker. Old Hyatt Road (*) Continue east on Highway 66 and just past the top of the Green Springs Summit turn left onto Old Hyatt Road. If you get to Keene Creek Reservoir on 66 you have gone too far. Latitude: ; Longitude: Green-tailed Towhee; As you drive along this road, at the top of the first hill look for Green-tailed Towhees in the low open pine stands. Near where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the road there are some willows above the road where Lincoln Sparrows can be found. Look for Vesper Sparrows and Mountain and Western Bluebirds in the open grasslands. Below the Little Hyatt Reservoir look for American Dippers. Black-throated Gray Warbler; Hyatt Lake Wildlife Viewing Area Where Little Hyatt Prairie Road/Old Hyatt Road dead ends onto Hyatt Prairie Road turn left 7 Version 2.0 Klamath Bird Observatory 2012

8 Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley 8

9 9 Version 2.0 Klamath Bird Observatory 2012

10 heading north. Several lake access spur roads provide opportunities to view water birds from beneath the pines. A Wildlife Viewing parking area is on the right. Latitude: ; Longitude: See a Double-crested Cormorant roosting tree and nesting Osprey, and across the road look for Cassin's Vireos, Mountain Chickadees, Dusky Flycatchers, and Williamson's Sapsuckers. GPS Coordinates: Latitude: ; Longitude: Along Conde Creek Road look for Williamson s and Redbreasted Sapsuckers, White-headed Woodpeckers, and Greentailed Towhees in the mixed conifer habitat. Sandhill Crane; Mountain Chickadee; Howard Prairie Lake There are several side roads off of Hyatt Prairie Road that provide access to Ponderosa Pinemeadow edge habitats. From Hyatt Lake keep left on Hyatt Prairie Road to view birds along the west shore of Howard Prairie Lake. Latitude: ; Longitude: Shale City Road (*) Towards the top of the grade on Dead Indian Memorial Highway, before dropping back down into the Rogue Valley, Shale City Road turns off to the north, into mixed conifer habitat. Latitude: ; Longitude: Look For Red-breasted Nuthatches, Hermit Warblers, Ruffed Grouse, Blue Grouse, Northern Pygmy Owls, and possible Great-gray Owl. At Howard Prairie Lake look for White Pelicans, Sandhill Cranes, and Caspian Terns. Conde Creek Road (*) From Howard Prairie Lake, continue on Hyatt Prairie Road to Dead Indian Memorial Highway. Turn left, heading west, towards Ashland. As the road heads back up the hill turn right on Conde Creek Road. Red-breasted Nuthatch; Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley 10

11 City of Ashland Field Trip Half-day trip around Ashland North Mountain Park From down town Ashland, head down Oak Street to East Hersey Street go left down the hill to the intersection of East Hersey Street and North Mountain Avenue. Take a left at the stop sign and the North Mountain Park Nature Center is on the right. Latitude: ; Longitude: Follow trails back into the riparian habitat. Look for Downy Woodpeckers, Yellow-breasted Chats, Common Yellowthroats, Warbling and Cassin s Vireos, Yellow-rumped, Wilson s, and Nashville Warblers, and Empidonax flycatchers including Hammond s and Pacific-slope. Common Yellowthroat; Ashland Ponds From North Mountain Park head west on East Hersey Street up the hill and then turn right on North Laurel Street, left on West Nevada Street, and then right on Glendower Street. Glendower Street dead ends at the trailhead which takes you around the Ashland Ponds. Latitude: ; Longitude: Follow the path and look for Bushtits, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Western Wood- 11 Pewees, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Warbling Vireos, Green Herons, Wood Ducks, Song Sparrows, Lesser Goldfinches, Bullock s Orioles, and Spotted Towhees. Lithia Park From Glenndower Street back track to West Nevada Street and follow back to North Laurel Street. Take North Laurel Street all the way back up, crossing West Hersey Street to the light on North Main Street. Turn left on North Main Street and right at the Plaza on Winburn Way. Follow Winburn Way up to Lithia Park. Latitude: ; Longitude: There are plenty of places to stop along the park. Many of the duck ponds are abundant with Wood Ducks. Listen for Nashville Warblers, Western Tanagers, and Black-headed Grosbeaks. Bullock s Oriole; American Dipper; Version 2.0 Klamath Bird Observatory 2012

12 Look for breeding American Dippers in Ashland Creek, which runs through Lithia Park. White Rabbit Trailhead Continue up Winburn Way, which turns into Granite Street. Look for Glenview Drive and turn left heading back towards Ashland, watch for the sharp right onto the Ashland Loop Road which takes you up through the forest and to the White Rabbit trailhead parking on the left. Latitude: ; Longitude: Upper Tolman Creek Road As an alternative, or for more birding, continue up Tolman Creek Road towards the Ashland Loop Road and pull off in mixed conifer hardwoods habitats or head out along the beginning of the Highway 66 Loop trip for riparian habitats. Latitude: ; Longitude: Calliope Hummingbirds can be seen in the spring along upper Tolman Creek Road. Mountain Quail; Photo USFWS Listen for Hermit Warblers, Mountain Quails, Nashville Warblers, Lazuli Buntings, and Townsend s Solitaires. Follow the White Rabbit trail into a mixed conifer hardwood forest. Oredson Todd Woods Trailhead Head back down into Ashland by following the Ashland Loop Road to Morton Street and take a right. Follow Morton Street down through residential neighborhoods to Siskiyou Boulevard. Take a right onto Siskiyou Boulevard and follow to a blinking stop light at Tolman Creek Road. Turn right heading up the hill and turn right on Green Meadows Way. Take your next right up Lupine Drive to the parking lot at the Oredson Todd Woods trailhead. Latitude: ; Longitude: Follow the trails looking for Pacific Wrens, Cassin s Vireos and Pacific-slope Flycatchers and listen for singing Olive-sided Flycatchers. Calliope Hummingbird; Mount Ashland Field Trip Half-day trip from Ashland NOTE: Parts of this trip are inaccessible in the winter and spring due to snow pack. These roads are designated with this symbol (*). Mt. Ashland Ski Area From Ashland, take I-5 south out of Ashland towards Siskiyou Summit. Exit at the Mt. Ashland exit (Exit 6). Follow Old Highway 99 south along the west side of the interstate and turn right on Mt. Ashland Ski Road. Follow this road all the way up to the resort, continue past the lodge and into the back parking lot. Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley 12

13 Latitude: ; Longitude: From the back lot walk following the road west along the Siskiyou Crest. Look for Fox Sparrows, Gray Jays, and Green -tailed Towhees. Forest Service Road 2080 (*) Head back past the Mt. Ashland Resort from Forest Service Road 20 and pull off at Forest Service Road 2080 on the left. This road will also take you back to Tolman Creek Road. Latitude: ; Longitude: Bird along this road looking for Brown Creepers and other conifer forest birds including Hermit Warblers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Western Tanagers. Grouse Gap (*) Gray Jay; Follow the Mt. Ashland Ski Road out past the resort. It turns into Forest Service Road 20 that takes you to Grouse Gap and the Pacific Crest Trail. Latitude: ; Longitude: Look for Lincoln Sparrows, Willow Flycatchers, Brewer s Sparrows, MacGillivray s Warblers, and White-headed Woodpeckers. Brown Creeper; Alternative Routes For an alternative and scenic route back towards Ashland, follow the Mt. Ashland Ski Road to Old Highway 99 and I-5. Continue across the I-5 pass staying on Old Highway 99 (Highway 273). Old Highway 99 will take you back into Ashland dead ending at Highway 66. There is good access to Emigrant Lake and the riparian birds. See site for details. Follow 66 west back into Ashland. Alternative Trips If you have spare time, consider birding sites 27 and 28 for additional high elevation species. White-headed Woodpecker; Photo Tom Grey Colestin Road (Not recommended for winter travel unless four-wheel drive) Take the Mt. Ashland Ski Road back down towards I-5. Look for the Colestin Road on the right and take through the Colestin Valley and into California. 13 Version 2.0 Klamath Bird Observatory 2012

14 Latitude: ; Longitude: Just past the California border, look for California Thrasher. You can follow this road to Hilt to get back onto I-5 and head back North to Ashland. Pilot Rock (*) Continue down the Mt Ashland Ski Road to Old Hwy 99 (Highway 273) and turn left onto a gravel road marked 42-2E-33 following signs for the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument and Pilot Rock. Northern Pygmy Owl; California Thrasher; Photo Tom Grey Latitude: ; Longitude: Look for Northern Pygmy Owls, Green-tailed Towhees, and Mountain Quails in the mixedconifer forest. follow to the four-way intersection and the entrance to the Harry and David Ball Field. Turn right and see a bridge over Bear Creek. Before the bridge, turn left into the Jefferson Nature Center parking lot. Latitude: ; Longitude: In the riparian habitat look for California and Spotted Towhees, Acorn and Downy Woopeckers, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Hermit Thrushes, Yellowbreasted Chats, Purple and House Finches, and Sharpshinned Hawks. Voorhies Mansion Purple Finch; Head back to South Stage Road and continue west. Turn left onto Voorhies Road and on the right turn into Eden Vale Winery and Voohries Mansion. Latitude: ; Longitude: Vaux s Swifts roost in the chimney of this historic mansion. South Medford & Jacksonville LOOP Half day trip from Ashland Jefferson Nature Center From Ashland take Interstate 5 north to Phoenix (Exit 24). Turn left off the exit and then right onto South Pacific Highway 99. In approximately 1.2 miles turn right on East South Stage Road. Then turn left on Samdike Drive by the gas station and Birding Guide to Ashland and the Greater Rogue Valley 14 Fritillaria gentneri; Photo Melissa Carr Jacksonville Woodlands Continue back to South Stage Road towards Jacksonville. Turn right onto Griffin Creek Road and then left again back onto South Stage Road. South Stage Road becomes California Street in Jacksonville.

15 Continue through downtown Jacksonville, taking a left onto Oregon Street. Turn right onto Pine Street and follow it up the hill to a parking lot and trailhead at the Jacksonville Woodlands. Latitude: Longitude: Rufous hummingbirds, Violet-green Swallows, Pacific-slope and Ash-throated Flycatchers, Cassin s and Warbling Vireos, Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and a variety of woodpeckers and migrating warblers can be seen in the oak woodlands. In the spring, look for the Fritillaria gentneri a rare, endemic plant of the Klamath- Siskiyou Bioregion. Ash-throated Flycatcher; Resources & Checklists There are several resources available for birders visiting Jackson County. Rogue Valley Audubon Society ( provides a digital species list for Jackson County Birds. Additional information on birding locations throughout Oregon can be found by visiting Oregon Birding Trails ( More detailed information on species lists by location can be found on Klamath-Siskiyou ebird ( Simply click View and Explore Data and Bar Charts for information on species occurrence by location. Lynn-Newberry Park and the Bear Creek Greenway To loop back towards Ashland, follow South Stage back turning right onto Griffin Creek Road, continue on Griffin Creek Road through a mixed conifer hardwood forest and orchard habitats. At the intersection of Griffin Creek Road, Pioneer Road, and Dark Hallow Road, bear right onto Pioneer Road and then right again onto Clover Road. Clover Road will take you back to South Pacific Highway (Highway 99). Take a right onto Highway 99, then a left onto Valley View Road, and then right into Lynn-Newberry Park and the Bear Creek Greenway for riparian birding. Latitude: ; Longitude: This riparian area is bustling with birds. Expect to see Fox Sparrows, Wrentits, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeons, and Buffleheads in the ponds. Western Grebes; **** Development of this promotional education brochure was funded, in part, by City of Ashland lodging tax revenues, and the Kinsman Foundation. Editors: Annie T. Kilby John D. Alexander Brandon M. Breen 15 Version 2.0 Klamath Bird Observatory 2012

16 Klamath Bird Observatory PO Box 758 Ashland, OR Phone: Fax: