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North Region

North Region Sites

McArthur Lake Wildlife Management Area

Nearest Town: Sandpoint
Site Size: 1207 acres

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

Access: Year-round. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: From Bonners Ferry, travel S on US 95 ~13 mi (from Sandpoint, travel N on US 95 ~18 mi); just N of the McArthur Lake Dam turn W on McArthur Lake Rd (formerly CR 4) at the “Sportsman’s Access” sign; take the first L (S) to get to the parking area, restroom, and boat launch.

Description: This site supports over 2,000 ducks (American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, and Bufflehead) and Canada Goose during migration in the spring and fall. Significant populations of waterfowl, secretive marsh birds, and shorebirds nest here. American White Pelican and >100 shorebirds (Killdeer, Wilson’s Snipe, Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Western, Spotted, and Solitary Sandpipers) can be seen in late summer. Nesting birds include Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, and Vaux’s Swift. Bald Eagle nest here regularly.

More Information:
IDFG (208) 769-1414
Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce (208) 263-2161
fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wma/mac/


Photos
virginiarail-tom-munson.jpg
Virginia Rail
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
Wilson's-snipe-karen-nitz.jpg
Wilson's Snipe
Photo Copyright Karen Nitz
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking TrailsHuntingFishingNo Water SportsNo OHV/ATVs AllowedNo Horseback 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
grassland Graph illustrating 5% 5%
marshes/lakes/ponds Graph illustrating 85% 85%
other Graph illustrating 10% 10%

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

    Geese, Swans and DucksHawks and EaglesPelicans and CormorantRails and CootsShorebirdsSwiftsThrushes

    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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