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Idaho Birding Trail LogoMale Sage GrouseMountain Bluebird
Southwest Region

Southwest Region Sites

Ben Ross Reservoir

Nearest Town: Cambridge
Site Size: 350 acres

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

Access: Year-round. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: From Cambridge, US 95 N; pass Alpine in ~5 mi; R (S) on W Indian Valley Rd; continue until pavement ends; at fork, R (W) on Ben Ross Rd; follow to reservoir.

Description: Spring is the best time to bird the road to the reservoir. Breeding Greater Sage-Grouse, Long-billed Curlew, and Short-eared Owl can be seen as well as Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks, Burrowing Owl and Grasshopper Sparrow. During migration, a variety of waterfowl can be found at Ben Ross including goldeneye, swan, and Snow Goose, as well as a variety of waterbirds.

More Information:
IDFG (208) 465-8465
Weiser (208) 549-0452


Photos
female-and-male-California-karen-nitz.jpg
California Quail
Photo Copyright Karen Nitz
long-billed-curlew--tom-munson.jpg
Long-billed Curlew
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
snow-goose--tom-munson.jpg
Snow Goose
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking 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
marshes/lakes/ponds Graph illustrating 80% 80%
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 N Y Y ALL
Shorebirds N N N N N N N N N N N N
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 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N ALL
Waterfowl N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 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 DucksGrebesGrouse and TurkeyHawks and EaglesOwlsShorebirdsSparrows and allies

    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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