Lake County is recognized as a prime area to view a variety of our feathered friends by expert birders.

Located along the Pacific Flyway, Lake County hosts more than 300 species of birds, and the Clear Lake Area is designated an “Important Bird Area” by Audubon California because of the diversity of birds and valuable bird habitats.

The most numerous birds spotted around the county included the American robin, California quail, herring gull, lesser goldfinch, dark-eyed junco, Brewer's blackbird, oak titmouse, red winged blackbird, California gull, mallard, and bufflehead.

Other species typically seen in Lake County include American white pelican, golden eagle, American bald eagle, Canada goose, wood duck, wild turkey, western, pie-billed, horned, and Clark’s grebes, acorn woodpecker, northern flicker, California and spotted towhees, golden-crowned and white-crowned sparrows, great blue heron, Anna’s hummingbird, American and lesser goldfinches, and many more.

The following is a general list of great bird watching 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

Lake County bird and wildlife viewing information:

The Redbud Audubon Society hosts monthly informative meetings and field trips: www.redbudaudubon.org
The Lake County Land Trust offers weekly guided bird and nature walks at Rodman Slough Preserve: www.lakecountylandtrust.org/rodman.htm
Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association offers guided nature walks: www.clearlakestatepark.org
Annual Heron Festival and Wildflower Brunch: www.heronfestival.org