Bird Watching at Clear Lake California

The number one fastest growing recreational activity between 1982 and 2000 is birdwatching and Lake County is ranked first in the state and eighth in the nation for the highest number of bird species counted, according to results of the fourth annual Great Backyard Bird Count. The bird count, a joint project of the Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology results can be viewed on line at www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

Almost 300 different kinds of birds live in Lake County at least part of the year and many resident birds that are fun to spot including Great Blue Herons, Clark's and Western Grebes, Ospreys, Green Herons, Double-crested Cormorants and Black crowned Night Herons, to name just a few.

As is true with other birding areas, you will find a wider variety of birds here during the winter months and early spring. Birdwatching is best in the morning before 10:00 AM as the birds are actively gathering food. The use of binoculars greatly enhances birdwatching. A 7 x 35 magnifiction is recommended.

Lake County offers a wide variety of birding opportunities for birdwatchers of all levels. With its varied habitat including mountains, lakes and forests, the county is home to songbirds, waterfowl, birds of prey and even the Bald Eagle. The American Bald Eagle is a winter resident of Anderson Marsh and Rodman Slough on the north end of Clear Lake.

The world of birdwatching can be greatly expanded from a boat, kayak or canoe. If you are motoring, please approach tules slowly as boat wakes can disturb nesting birds.

The following is a general list of great birdwatching sites in Lake County and their driving time from the Edgewater Resort.

CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK: 2 minutes

LAKESIDE COUNTY PARK: 5 minutes

HIGHLANDS SPRINGS RESERVOIR: 15 minutes

BOGGS MOUNTAIN: 20 minutes

ANDERSON MARSH STATE HISTORIC PARK AND McVICAR PRESERVE: 25 minutes

BORAX LAKE: 20 minutes

BLM CACHE CREEK ACCESS TRAIL: 35 minutes

For more information about birding in Lake County, visitors are encouraged to call the Redbud Audubon Society at (707) 994-2024. The society offers "First Saturday of the Month" walks at Anderson Marsh State Histocic Park every first Satuday all year round. The Society welcomes visitors to these Satuday walks as well as various other local field trips held throughout the year.