skip to the main content area of this page
Idaho Birding Trail LogoMale Sage GrouseMountain Bluebird
Southwest Region

Southwest Region Sites

C.J. Strike Reservoir Wildlife Management Area

Nearest Town: Bruneau
Site Size: 10,664 acres

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

Access: Year-round. Seasonal hunting closure. Seasonal nesting closure. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: From Mountain Home, S on ID 51 for 15 mi; cross river; follow ID 51/78 for 6.5 mi SW; W on ID 78 for 2.5 mi to WMA headquarters.

Description: Two hundred forty species of birds are known to use the C.J. Strike area annually. Of these species, 98 breed in the area, and 105 species commonly winter here. Large numbers of passerines pass through this area during the spring migration (125,000 swallows have been observed in a 4-hour period). Long-billed Curlew, Western Screech-, Northern Saw-whet, and Burrowing Owls breed in the area, and American White Pelican (50-300 individuals) can often be seen during the summer. During spring and summer, many other waterfowl and waterbird species, including rails, terns, gulls, sandpipers, and herons can be found here. The reservoir is also a nursery for several hundred Western and Clark’s Grebes. Because this valley is warmer than the surrounding area, many "half-hardy" species like American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Loggerhead Shrike successfully winter here. Approximately 100,000 waterfowl, including Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, use the area during migration and winter. The largest number of waterfowl usually arrive in Nov and leave by early Feb. There is always a small population of Merlin, Northern Goshawk, and Ferruginous Hawk during the winter.

More Information:
IDFG (208) 845-2324
Mountain Home (208) 587-4334
fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wma/cj/


Photos
trumpeter-swan--tom-munson.jpg
Trumpeter Swan
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
virginia-rail--michael-woodruff.jpg
Virginia Rail
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff
western-grebe--tom-munson.jpg
Western Grebe
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkCampgroundNo 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
marshes/lakes/ponds Graph illustrating 70% 70%
other Graph illustrating 10% 10%
sage/shrub Graph illustrating 20% 20%

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 Y Y Y Y Y Y N N ALL
Songbirds N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N ALL
Upland Birds Y Y Y Y Y N N N Y Y Y Y AM
Waterbirds N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N ALL
Waterfowl Y Y Y Y N N N N N Y Y Y AM
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 IbisesBlackbirds and alliesChickadees and TitmouseGeese, Swans and DucksGrebesGrosbeaks and BuntingsHawks and EaglesJaegers and GullsOwlsPelicans and CormorantRails and CootsShorebirdsShrikesSparrows and alliesSwallowsTanagersTernsThrushesTyrant FlycatchersWaxwingsWood WarblersWoodpeckersWrens and Dipper

    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


    New! Browse the Idaho Birding Trail in Google Maps or Google Earth




     Contact Us
    Your Name:

    Your Email Address:

    Your Message: