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East Central Region

East Central Region Sites

Alturas Lake

Nearest Town: Stanley
Site Size: 2,500 acres

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

Access: Year-round. Snow may limit vehicle access. Admission Fee. Handicapped Access free of charge

Site Location

Directions: S of Stanley, N of Galena Pass on ID 75, turn W onto FR 205 near mp 169.8; follow to Alturas Lake; bird the day-use and campground areas along lake; continue W on improved gravel road to Alpine Lake Creek trailhead.

Description: Several woodpecker species can be found in the lodgepole pine forest surrounding Alturas Lake and nearby Perkins Lake, including Red-naped (in aspen patches) and Williamson’s Sapsuckers, and American Three-toed and Pileated Woodpeckers. Other conifer forest inhabitants include Northern Goshawk, Spruce Grouse, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes, Chipping Sparrow, and Red Crossbill. In wet meadows abutting Alpine Lake Creek, look for Sandhill Crane, Wilson’s Snipe, Mountain Bluebird, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. Scan the lake for waterfowl and possible sightings of Western Grebe, Osprey, and Caspian Tern.

More Information:
USFS (208) 774-3000
Stanley Chamber of Commerce


Photos
AlturasLake.1380.1.4-idaho-tourism.jpg
Alturas Lake
Photo Copyright Idaho Travel Council
chipping-sparrow--michael-woodruff.jpg
Chipping Sparrow
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff
pileated-woodpecker--michael-woodruff.jpg
Pileated Woodpecker
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableNo Boat RampNo ConcessionsHiking 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
high elevation mixed conifer Graph illustrating 30% 30%
marshes/lakes/ponds Graph illustrating 50% 50%
other Graph illustrating 20% 20%

Best Observation Times
Bird Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec AM/PM
Raptors N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N
Shorebirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N
Songbirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N
Upland Birds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N
Waterbirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N
Waterfowl N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N
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.

    CorvidsCranesFinches and alliesGrebesGrouse and TurkeyHawks and EaglesShorebirdsSparrows and alliesTernsThrushesTyrant FlycatchersWoodpeckers

    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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