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Idaho Birding Trail LogoMale Sage GrouseMountain Bluebird
North Region

North Region Sites

Cottonwood Butte

Nearest Town: Cottonwood
Site Size:

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

Access: Snow may limit vehicle access. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: Just N of Cottonwood on US 95, turn W onto Cottonwood Butte Rd; in 4.5 mi, stay L at fork onto Radar Rd; 5 mi to top of Butte; bird from road; adjacent land is private.

Description: The bottom portions pass through prairie and pasture, watch for Western Bluebird and Meadowlark. In the fall, migrating hawks and other birds may be seen from the top. In winter, look for Northern Shrike. Summer will bring Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds, Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Wood-Pewee, Olive-sided, Dusky, and Hammond’s Flycatchers, Barn and Violet-green Swallows, Cassin’s Vireo, Orange-crowned, Townsend’s, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, and Song Sparrow. Year-round birds include American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Ruffed and Blue Grouse, Wild Turkey, Great Gray Owl (rare), Hairy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin.

More Information:
IDFG (208) 799-5010
Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce (208)962-3231


Photos
great-gray-owl--tom-munson.jpg
Great Gray Owl
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
northern-shrike--tom-munson.jpg
Northern Shrike
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
song-sparrow--michael-woodruff.jpg
Song Sparrow
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff
Facilities

General Services:
No ParkingNo RestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableNo Boat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking TrailsHuntingFishingWater SportsOHV/ATVs AllowedHorseback Riding

Handicapped Services:
No ParkingNo RestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive MaterialsNo Boat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking Trails
What do these icons mean?


Habitat
low elevation mixed conifer Graph illustrating 40% 40%
other Graph illustrating 20% 20%
ponderosa pine Graph illustrating 40% 40%

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

    Blackbirds and alliesChickadees and TitmouseCorvidsFinches and alliesGrouse and TurkeyHawks and EaglesHummingbirdsNuthatches and CreeperShrikesSparrows and alliesSwallowsTanagersThrushesTyrant FlycatchersVireosWood WarblersWoodpeckers

    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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