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North Region

North Region Sites

Ball Creek Ranch

Nearest Town: Bonners Ferry
Site Size: 2300 acres

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

Access: Year-round. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: On US 95, N of Bonners Ferry, L (W) onto Riverside Ave (District 15/CR 18) (this road is just south of the bridge over Kootenai River); go ~7 mi to West Side Rd; R (N) on West Side Rd ~6 mi to Ball Creek Ranch house on L; guest parking and public access is beyond the house and on the L.

Description: 500 acres of public access are located in the NW section of the property. This northwest corner is flooded during the spring and attracts waterfowl including Tundra Swan and three species of teal. Lewis’s Woodpecker can be seen in the spring. American Kestrel and Great Horned Owl nest in the area. American Dipper is a regular in Ball and Trout Creeks near bridges. Long-billed Curlew in the fields May/June.

More Information:
TNC (208) 676-8176
Bonners Ferry (208) 267- 5922
nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/idaho/preserves/art8410.html


Photos
americankestrel-tommunson.jpg
American Kestrel
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
ballcreekranch-steve-grourke.jpg
Ball Creek Ranch
Photo Copyright Steve Gourke
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingNo RestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableNo Boat RampNo ConcessionsHiking TrailsNo HuntingNo FishingNo 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
low elevation mixed conifer Graph illustrating 15% 15%
other Graph illustrating 45% 45%
riverine riparian Graph illustrating 40% 40%

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

    Geese, Swans and DucksHawks and EaglesOwlsShorebirdsWoodpeckersWrens 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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