Billingsley Creek Wildlife

BCWMA provides year-round habitat for mule deer. Security cover is provided by the forested wetlands and uplands. Russian olive trees provide excellent security cover. A rare occurrence was when two Rocky Mountain bull elk were sighted in 1997.

Upland game species include ring-necked pheasants, California quail, and cottontail rabbits. Gray partridge (“Huns”) likely use the shrub steppe above the canyon rim.

Ducks and Canada geese use BCWMA year-round. Waterfowl are attracted to the slow flowing and meandering Billingsley Creek. Spring water flowing into Billingsley Creek keeps the water open during the winter, attracting large numbers of ducks. Canada geese, mallards, northern pintail, gadwall, American widgeon, green-wing teal, and cinnamon teal are observed on BCWMA at different times of the year.

A variety of watchable wildlife such as red-winged blackbirds, barn owls and great blue heron inhabit BCWMA. Raptors that inhabit BCWMA include red-tailed, rough-legged, Swainson’s, Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks, American kestrel and northern harrier.

Other mammals on the WMA area include coyote, red fox, striped skunk, fox squirrel, yellow-bellied marmot and porcupine.