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East Central Region

East Central Region Sites

Salmon River Float-Salmon Section

Nearest Town: Salmon
Site Size: 26 miles

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

Access: Open mid April-mid October. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: SHOUP BRIDGE RECREATION SITE TO ISLAND PARK: from junction of US 93/ID 28 in Salmon, drive 5.1 mi S on US 93 to Shoup Bridge Recreation Site boat launch; float 7 mi N to Island Park in downtown Salmon. ISLAND PARK TO TOWER ROCK: Island Park Boat launch is located at junction of Main St and US 93 in Salmon; float to Tower Rock Recreation Site, which is 12 mi N of Salmon at mp 315 on US 93; OR, continue 4 mi downriver to Red Rock Sportsman’s Access at US 93 mp 318.3.

Description: This float is spectacularly scenic and teeming with birdlife. Look for Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser, Chukar, Great Blue Heron (at least 4 rookeries along the Salmon Section), Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Spotted Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk, Rufous Hummingbird, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Say’s Phoebe, Red-eyed Vireo, Canyon and Marsh Wrens, American Dipper, Mountain Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Song Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, and Evening Grosbeak. About 2 river miles north and 2 river miles south of the City of Salmon, boaters will drift past spectacular 200 foot high vertical bluffs known as “North Cliffs” and “South Cliffs”-home to several species of cliff-nesting birds including Cliff Swallow, White-throated Swift, and Peregrine Falcon.

More Information:
BLM (208) 756-5400
Salmon Chamber of Commerce 1-800-727-2540


Photos
salmon-river-float,-salmon-section--beth-waterbury.jpg
Salmon River
Photo Copyright Beth Waterbury, IDFG
BoatStill--idaho-tourism.jpg
Photo Copyright Idaho Travel Council
cliff-swallow--keith-carlson.jpg
Cliff Swallow
Photo Copyright Keith Carlson
greatblueheronwinter-camden-hackworth.jpg
Great Blue Heron
Photo Copyright Camden Hackworth
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking TrailsHuntingFishingNo Water SportsNo OHV/ATVs AllowedNo Horseback Riding

Handicapped Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive MaterialsNo Boat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking Trails
What do these icons mean?


Habitat
cliffs/talus Graph illustrating 20% 20%
other Graph illustrating 10% 10%
riverine riparian Graph illustrating 70% 70%

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 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N ALL
Songbirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N ALL
Upland Birds Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ALL
Waterbirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N 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.

    Bittern, Herons and IbisesBlackbirds and alliesChickadees and TitmouseCorvidsFinches and alliesGeese, Swans and DucksGoatsuckersGrouse and TurkeyHawks and EaglesHummingbirdsKingfisherShorebirdsSparrows and alliesStork and VultureSwallowsSwiftsThrashersThrushesTyrant FlycatchersVireosWaxwingsWood 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


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