26. Howards Bay

26. Howards Bay - Area Map.

Location:

Located NW of Klamath Falls, along Highway 140, near Upper Klamath Lake.

Habitat:

Nearby flooded farmland around a small bay bordered by woodland (mixed coniferous forest/oaks) and riparian habitats (willows).

Distinct Features:

A mile-long gated dirt road. (Geary Canal Road) along the bay allows for undisturbed viewing of quite a variety of birds in this unique combination of habitats. Because of the low elevation here, the hardwood trees leaf out early. This, in combination with the emergence of midges from the nearby bay make this site one of the best places to see early spring neotropical migrants (usually with a peak the first 2 weeks in May). Further uphill hiking away from the bay leads to Bear Wallow (a seasonally flooded wetland) in a partially logged forest.

Continuing by car NW on Highway 140, the road follows the shoreline of the lake for two miles, where there are several pullouts, in addition to a large boat launch area at the north end (a good place to launch a canoe).

Birds to Look For:

Waterfowl, raptors, songbirds (in season). Expect to see Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Western Grebe, American White Pelican, Bullock's Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Caspian, Forster's and Black Terns, various warblers (especially Yellow-rumps), and nesting swallows under the bridge. Spring and fall migrations bring some of the less common and rarer birds such as the Green Heron and Common Loon.

For more bird information see eBird. (Note: Hogus Bay = Howards Bay)

Directions:

Take Highway 140 north of Klamath Falls; continue about 4 miles beyond Running Y Resort; you will see the bay on your left and Klamath Lake in the right. When you cross the bridge over the Wocus drainage canal, immediately pull off the road to your left into a gravel parking area. Do NOT block the gate as you park, especially during summer fire season. GPS: 121° 56' 32.03" W, 42° 18' 45.72" N.

For more information Contact:

Discover Klamath
205 Riverside Dr, Suite B
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601
Call: 541-882-1501 or Toll Free: 1-800-445-6728

Web info:

www.co.klamath.or.us

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