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Southwest Region

Southwest Region Sites

Mountain Home Reservoir

Nearest Town: Mountain Home
Site Size: 405 acres

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

Access: Year-round. May dry up in late summer/early fall. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: I-84 Exit #95, N on ID 20 for 0.75 mi; L (W) on NE Reservoir Rd at "Sportsman’s Access" sign for 0.6 mi; R on gravel rd next to dam berm; park and walk to dam. Access points on the N and E side of reservoir as well.

Description: Mountain Home Reservoir, located in the middle of a sagebrush flat, is one of the five ephemeral reservoirs that are containments for melt water from the Danskin Mountains. Waterfowl can be found year-round at the reservoir. Species include Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, and Redhead. The best time for shorebirds is May and Aug-Sept and they can be found at the south access and at the north end on mud flats. Red-tailed Hawk can be seen year-round while Rough-legged Hawk can be found in winter along with the occasional Golden and Bald Eagles, Osprey, and Prairie Falcon. Horned Lark and sparrows/pipits in season.

More Information:
BLM (208) 384-3300
Mountain Home (208) 587-4334


Photos
horned-lark--keith-carlson.jpg
Horned Lark
Photo Copyright Keith Carlson
redhead-and-lesser-scaup--ryan-brady.jpg
Redhead and Lesser Scaup
Photo Copyright Ryan Brady
red-tailed-hawk--tom-munson.jpg
Red-tailed Hawk
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
Facilities

General Services:
No ParkingNo RestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableNo Boat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking TrailsNo HuntingFishingNo 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 90% 90%
sage/shrub Graph illustrating 10% 10%

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 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ALL
Upland Birds N N N N N N N N N N N N
Waterbirds N N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N ALL
Waterfowl Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 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.

    Accentor and PipitGeese, Swans and DucksHawks and EaglesLark

    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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