Bird-watching
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Plumas County offers rewarding bird-watching opportunities for both the novice and experienced birder.
The best birding in the county is during the spring and fall, but interesting species can be found any month of the year.
Sightings of bald eagles have been on the rise throughout the county, particularly during the winter.
Nearly 300 different bird species live in the surrounding national forest, which offers great habitat with its many lakes, meadows, marshes, streams and trees. The spots have easy access for those who wish to bird by vehicle as well as many developed hiking trails for more adventurous birders.
Sierra Valley, east of Portola, is one of the best known birding locations in the area. Although most of the land in the valley is privately owned, county roads such as Marble Hot Springs Road will take you through the heart of the valley past wet meadows and remnant wetlands.
For a birding loop tour, travel on Highway 70 to the Nervino Airport just east of the community of Beckwourth. At the east end of the runway, turn south on County Road A-24. The road crosses several riparian areas where waterfowl can be spotted. Follow the paved road about four miles until it reaches a ranch, and take the right fork, which is Marble Hot Springs Road. The road makes a right turn and then becomes gravel. Marble Hot Springs Road has very little traffic and several marshy areas containing reeds, water and waterfowl. There are natural hot springs along the road and a historic steel bridge which serves as an excellent lookout.
Marble Hot Springs Road eventually intersects with County Road A-23. Turn right (north) and you'll return to Highway 70 just east of Beckwourth. Look for bald eagles on the bridge just before you reach the highway.
If you're starting from Highway 89 south of Graeagle, take County Road A-23 at Sattley and travel 9.5 miles until you reach a dirt road (Marble Hot Springs Road) leading off to the right. There is an electrical transformer set up just beyond the intersection.
Spring birders can spot white faced ibis, sandhill cranes, American bitterns, black-crowned night herons, Canada geese and a variety of ducks and songbirds.
In the fall, Sierra Valley is well known for its large population of raptors. A drive through the valley can provide close-up views of bald eagles, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, rough-legged hawks, prairie falcons, kestrels and long-eared owls.
Migrating flocks of waterfowl and songbirds are also a common sight during the fall.
Plumas Eureka State Park near Graeagle is worth checking for a variety of alpine birds and willow flycatchers.
Several lakes provide good birding. Snake Lake, a short drive from Quincy off of Bucks Lake Road, is a popular picnic spot and a good place to view wood ducks, American white pelicans, ospreys, grebes and great blue heron. A walk along the forested edge of the lake can turn up a number of forest bird species: hairy woodpeckers, brown creepers, red-breasted nuthatches, warbling vireos and many others.
Other lakes to visit are Lake Almanor, Antelope Lake, Bucks Lake, Little Grass Valley Reservoir, Frenchman Lake and Lake Davis, which all provide a diversity of bird species and habitats.
Plumas County's many rivers and streams also host populations of riparian bird species: common mergansers, wood ducks, yellow warblers, lazuli bunting, American dipper, downey, Nuttall's and Lewis' woodpeckers and others can be found during a pleasant stroll along the waterways.
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