Nearest Town: Montpelier
Site Size: 18,000 acres
Directions: From Montpelier, take US 89 SW 3.3 mi; stop at USFWS office (at 370 Webster St) for a map and bird list; L (S) at Bear Lake NWR sign (Airport Rd); zero odometer; continue S at airport turn-off; mi 4.9 is the refuge entrance; maps available at mi 5.1; continue S following the sign for the Observation Route (a square loop ~0.5 mi on each side); respect seasonal closures; return to refuge entrance and re-zero odometer; R (E) on Paris-Dingle Rd 5.2 mi to Dingle; R (S) on Dingle Rd 13.1 mi; R (W) on N Beach Rd; entrance to Bear Lake State Park is at mi 15 (entrance fee to park); continue W to mi 20 to reach US 89; R (N) to Paris and Montpelier.
Description: Along Airport Rd, look for Snowy and Cattle Egrets, White-faced Ibis, Cinnamon Teal, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, and Willet. American Bittern, Virginia Rail, Sora, and Short-eared Owl might be seen on the east side of the road
just past the refuge’s entrance. Forster’s and Black Terns, Marsh Wren, Eared Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Short-eared Owls, and Trumpeter Swan can be seen along the loop. On the east side, listen for Sage Thrasher and Brewer’s and Sage Sparrows. Near the cliffs, you might catch a glimpse of Turkey Vulture, Golden Eagle, and Peregrine and Prairie Falcons. The north beach of the state park hosts Caspian Tern. Lifton Pumping station has Cliff and Bank Swallows.
More Information:
USFW (208) 847-1757
Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce (208) 847-0067
www.fws.gov/pacific/refuges/field/id_bearlk.htm
Select a species from the list to view other sites on the Idaho Birding Trail Sites this species may be observed.
Bittern, Herons and IbisesBlackbirds and alliesChickadees and TitmouseCorvidsCranesGeese, Swans and DucksGrebesGrouse and TurkeyHawks and EaglesJaegers and GullsLarkOwlsPelicans and CormorantPigeons and DovesRails and CootsShorebirdsShrikesSparrows and alliesStarlingStork and VultureSwallowsTernsThrashersThrushesWood WarblersWoodpeckersWrens and DipperLegend
| Season | Abundance | Region |
|---|
| 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 |
|