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North Region

North Region Sites

Morton Slough Game Management Area

Nearest Town: Sandpoint
Site Size: 402 acres

Highlights: Raptors, Shorebirds, Songbirds, Upland Birds, Waterbirds, Waterfowl

Access: Year-round. May freeze in winter. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: From Sandpoint, US 95 S; R (W) onto Lakeshore Dr; zero odometer; at 1.6 mi, fish hatchery provides lake access; Springy Point Campground at 3 mi and Morton Slough at 10.2 mi.

Description: This site is important to breeding and brood-rearing waterfowl, but is particularly important to migrating diving ducks (Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Common Merganser). American Wigeon, Mallard, and lesser numbers of Hooded Merganser, Tundra Swan, Canada Goose, Canvasback, and Gadwall can also be seen. Total waterfowl numbers can exceed 2,000 individuals. Shorebirds can be found here, as well as nesting Bald Eagle. Up to 25 Double-crested Cormorants, which are rare in the area, appear in late fall.

More Information:
IDFG (208) 769-1414
Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce (208) 263-2161
www.nws.usace.army.mil/publicmenu/menu.cfm?sitename=albeni&pagename=morton_slough


Photos
morton-slough--terry-gray.jpg
Morton Slough
Photo Copyright Terry Gray
morton-slough-summer-terry-gray.jpg
Morton Slough
Photo Copyright Terry Gray
double-crestd-cormorant-keith-carlson.jpg
Double-crested Cormorant
Photo Copyright Keith Carlson
ring-necked-duck-tom-munson.jpg
Ring-necked Duck
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsHiking TrailsHuntingFishingWater SportsNo OHV/ATVs AllowedNo Horseback Riding

Handicapped Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive MaterialsBoat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking Trails
What do these icons mean?


Habitat
low elevation mixed conifer Graph illustrating 30% 30%
other Graph illustrating 20% 20%
riverine riparian Graph illustrating 50% 50%

Best Observation Times
Bird Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec AM/PM
Raptors N N N N N N N N N N N N
Shorebirds N N N Y Y N N Y Y N N N ALL
Songbirds N N N N Y Y Y Y Y N N N AM
Upland Birds N N N N N N N N N N N N
Waterbirds Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ALL
Waterfowl Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ALL
Target Species for this Site

Select a species from the list to view other sites on the Idaho Birding Trail Sites this species may be observed.

    Bittern, Herons and IbisesGeese, Swans and DucksHawks and EaglesPelicans and Cormorant

    Legend

    SeasonAbundanceRegion
    R - Resident 1 - Abundant, easily found s - Statewide
    M - Migrant 2 - Common, but sometimes difficult to find e - Southeast
    W - Winter 3 - Uncommon or local w - Southwest
    S - Summer 4 - Rare or very local c - Central
    5 - Casual, 3-10 accepted records p - Panhandle (North)
    6 - Accidental, 1-2 accepted records
    7 - Experimental
    (B) - Documented breeding evidence(End) - Threatened or Endangered
    (b) - Circumstantial breeding evidence(Int.) - Introduced species


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