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Southwest Region

Southwest Region Sites

Ponderosa State Park

Nearest Town: McCall
Site Size: 1600 acres

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

Access: Year-round. Open sunrise - sunset. Admission Fee

Site Location

Directions: Signs to the park are posted at every major intersection in McCall. From ID 55 in McCall (3rd St), turn E onto Railroad Ave; rd will curve R and change name to Wooley Ave.; at second 4-way STOP turn L onto Davis St and continue straight to park entrance in another 1.3 mi.

Description: This state park, named for its old ponderosa pines, sits on a 2.5 mile-long forested peninsula that almost bisects Payette Lake. The park has varied topography and habitats, with arid sagebrush flats, steep basaltic cliffs, dense conifer groves, meadows, and marshes. The park offers nature trails, guided walks with park naturalists, and evening campfire programs. Wildlife diversity is high, though many species can only be seen at dawn or dusk. Likely species to be seen are Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Osprey, Great Blue Heron,Swainson’s Thrush, Townsend’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Vaux’s Swift, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Willow Flycatcher. In winter, look for Great Gray Owl, Pine Siskin, woodpeckers, and chickadees, and nuthatches.

More Information:
IDFG (208) 634-2164
McCall (208) 634-7631
www.idahoparks.org/parks/ponderosa.aspx


Photos
PonderosaBoat-Idaho-tourism.jpg
Ponderosa State Park
Photo Copyright Idaho Travel Council
barred-owl--terry-gray.jpg
Barred Owl
Photo Copyright Terry Gray
ruby-crowned-kinglet--michael-woodruff.jpg
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsPhoneBoardwalkCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaVisitor CenterInterpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsHiking TrailsNo HuntingFishingWater SportsNo OHV/ATVs AllowedNo Horseback Riding

Handicapped Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaVisitor CenterNo Interpretive MaterialsBoat RampNo ConcessionsHiking Trails
What do these icons mean?


Habitat
low elevation mixed conifer Graph illustrating 10% 10%
other Graph illustrating 5% 5%
ponderosa pine Graph illustrating 80% 80%
sage/shrub Graph illustrating 5% 5%

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

    Bittern, Herons and IbisesBlackbirds and alliesChickadees and TitmouseCorvidsCranesFinches and alliesGeese, Swans and DucksGoatsuckersGrebesGrosbeaks and BuntingsGrouse and TurkeyHawks and EaglesHummingbirdsKingfisherLoonNuthatches and CreeperOwlsPigeons and DovesRails and CootsShorebirdsSparrows and alliesStarlingStork and VultureSwallowsSwiftsTanagersThrushesTyrant 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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