Plumas County Birding Guide

1. Sierra Valley Important Bird Area

Sierra Valley contains the largest freshwater wetland in the Sierra Nevada. It can be found at the headwaters of the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork of the Feather River, just 35 miles northwest of Reno, NV. Feather River Land Trust calls this location: "A paradise for birders and nature enthusiasts, Sierra Valley supports the greatest diversity and abundance of birds in the entire Sierra Nevada".

PAS hosts a Christmas Bird Count count circle here every winter! Join in the fun!

Raptors such as are prolific in the fall and winter months. Raptor species present in Sierra Valley include Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Barn Owl, Prairie Falcon, American Kestrels, Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, and even Swainson's Hawk in the summer.

Hundreds of White-faced Ibis can be observed in the spring when the valley is filled with water. American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Wilson's Phalarope, Willet, and other shore birds are fairly common in the summer. Vesper Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and Horned Larks can be found while driving through the agricultural lands.

Visit the Marble Lane Bridge in the Spring to witness an incredible colony of nesting Cliff Swallows.

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Marble Hot Springs Road
Harriet Lane
Dyson Lane
Feather River Land Trust Sierra Valley Preserve
Dotta Guidici Road
Highway A23
Middle Fork Feather River headwaters
Green Gulch Ranch Pond

2. Lake Almanor Important Bird Area

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Lake Almanor hosts over 200 species of birds throughout the year. in addition, Lake Almanor is recognized as an Audubon Important Bird area, hosting incredible avian biodiversity.

The best time to bird Lake Almanor is after the snow has melted in late May until October, but birding this reservoir year round will yield a wide variety of species.

Waterfowl are particularly abundant in the winter, join Plumas Audubon Society for our Christmas Bird Count to observe them with us! Warblers and shorebirds can be abundant during the fall migration.

Western and Clark's Grebes, two focal species for Plumas Audubon Society's projects, breed by the hundreds during the summer, making for a spectacular show.

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Highway 36 Causeway
Chester Railroad Grade Trail to Olsen Barn
North Fork Feather River Riparian Area
Mouth of the North Fork Feather River
Chester Water Treatment Plant
Lake Almanor Peninsula
Goose Bay
North Shore Campground
Prattville
Super Ditch
Canyon Dam Boat Ramp
Last Chance Creek Campground Road
Poor Man's Point

3. American Valley

American Valley, home to Quincy, California, is a great location to observe the classic bird species of the Sierra Nevada. It is also the home of Plumas Audubon Society's office and one of our beloved events, the Christmas Bird Count.

Keep your eyes peeled while driving down Quincy Junction Rd. in the winter months for multiple species of raptors gathered in the valley to hunt. In the spring, visit Thompson Valley when it is flooded with snowmelt, where you may observe an abundance of waterfowl species, perhaps even nesting Sandhill Cranes.

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Quincy Sewage Treatment Ponds
Hansen's Pond
Quincy Junction Road
Feather River College
Spanish & Greenhorn Creek Confluence
Dellinger's Pond
Leonhardt Ranch & Feather River Land Trust Learning Landscape & Trail
Chandler Road
Gansner Park
Oakland Camp
Thompson Valley

4. Indian Valley

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

An outstandingly beautiful valley with views of Mount Hough to the South, Indian Valley supports over 150 bird species throughout the year.

It is home to "Chat Corner", known as one of the best locations to observe a Yellow-breasted Chat in Plumas County. During the spring, hundred of sandhill cranes can be observed wading and dancing through the agricultural fields around Indian Creek during a cruise along Stampfli Lane. A Western Kingbird can often be found on barbed wire fence on Arlington Rd. in the summer. A Lazuli Bunting, Belted Kingfisher, or Black Phoebe are all possibilities in riparian areas along Indian Creek.

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Stampfli Lane
Chat Corner - Hwy 89 at Arlington Rd.
Taylorsville
North Valley Rd.

5. Lake Davis

Over 170 bird species can be found at Lake Davis throughout the year.

Numerous pairs of Bald Eagles can be seen nesting on its shores in the winter.

Waterfowl can be enjoyed by boat as Osprey soar overhead in the summer months. Western & Clark's Grebes nest on the weedy shores of Lake Davis, along with Lake Almanor and Antelope Lake in the summer months.

If you're lucky you may even encounter a Flammulated Owl in the evening while camping!

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Grizzly Creek Ranch
Red Clover Valley
Eagle Point
Coot Bay
Lake Davis Dam

6. Bucks Lake & Meadow Valley

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Meadow Valley, approximately 8 miles from Quincy, and Bucks Lake, approximately 17 miles from Quincy, are both great day trips for a birder visiting Plumas County and staying in Quincy.

Boating at Bucks Lake can provide a great opportunity to observe grebes and other waterfowl. High elevation Sierra Nevada birds such as White-headed Woodpecker and Mountain Quail are also common in these areas.

In the summer, a drive through Spanish Ranch is sure to please, with its abundance of Western Bluebirds and a variety of swallow species. Warblers and Sparrows are also common in the willow and meadows in Meadow Valley.

If you would like to find an American Dipper, Spanish Creek, between Meadow Valley and Quincy will not disappoint!

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Spanish Ranch Rd.
UC Forestry Camp
Little Schneider Creek Ponds
Bucks Lake
Haskins Creek
Big Creek Road
Bucks Summit
Dean's Valley Campground

7. Feather River Canyon

When the Feather River was first visited by Spanish Colonists it was dubbed El Rio de Las Plumas, The River of Feathers, for the abundance of waterfowl in its waters.

The Feather River Canyon is where the waters of the North Fork of the Feather River are funneled through to Lake Oroville, California's second largest reservoir. From Lake Almanor, Antelope Lake, Frenchman Lake, Bucks Lake, and Lake Davis, water flows through this dramatic scenic canyon, providing an abundance of habitat for wildlife.

Golden and Bald Eagles can be seen soaring as you climb up out of Butte County and into Plumas County. On your ascent through the North Fork into the Sierra Nevada Mixed Conifer forest of Plumas County, you will pass through Oak and Chaparral canyons, which provide an opportunity, if you're lucky and determined, to view the Rufous-crowned Sparrow's at Chamber's Creek Trail. As you pass by the numerous dams, be sure to look for waterfowl!

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Twain
Belden - Pacific Crest Trail
Paxton
Rock Creek Reservoir
Chamber's Creek Trail
Cresta Reservoir

8. Antelope Lake

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Antelope Lake is a stunning place to visit. Granite boulders and dramatic post fire landscapes surround the Lake. Birding from shore, kayak, and car are all sure to please the birder willing to make the drive.

Near the dam, numerous swallow and warbler species can be observed in the summer and fall. Osprey commonly nest here and can be seen frequently as they hunting for fish. Pelicans can be found in large numbers on the surface of the reservoir and Western and Clark's Grebes nest here in the summer.

Traveling north to the mountains surrounding the reservoir can provide the patient birder with the opportunity to observe species like Green-tailed Towhee, Clark's Nutcracker, Cassin's Finch, Mountain Bluebird, and Lewis's Woodpecker,

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Antelope Lake
Little Antelope Creek Inflow
Antelope Lake Dam
Indian Creek below Antelope Dam
Lone Rock Campground

9. Genesee Valley

Genesee Valley is remote and mostly out of cell service, so be sure to plan ahead before visiting.

A magical valley year round, Genesee Valley is one of the most reliable places to find a Black-billed Magpie in Plumas County.

Acorn Woodpeckers are hard to miss while strolling through it's beautiful Oak Woodlands. Indian Creek runs through the center of the valley and waterfowl and warblers are abundant in riparian areas. Sandhill Cranes are common flyovers during migration.

Special Status Species like California Spotted Owl and Northern Goshawks are elusive but not uncommon are in the the woods surrounding the valley.

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Heart K Ranch
Indian Creek

10. Frenchman Lake

Photo by Elizabeth Ramsey

Frenchman Lake's unique sagebrush dominated, post volcanic ecosystem is home to a special variety of Plumas County's bird species. Over 130 bird species can be found surrounding Frenchman Lake throughout the year.

Listen for a Canyon Wren's echoing song while driving through the Little Last Chance Canyon Scenic Area. Keep your eyes alert for a Sage Thrasher perched atop sagebrush surrounding the reservoir. Other common birds include Townsend's Solitaire and Clark's Nutcracker. The observant birder may even spot a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher!

Birding Hotspots

Click on the Hotspot for the directions and species list for each location.
Hotspots are listed in order of year-round species richness.

Frenchman Lake Dam
Little Last Chance Canyon
Frenchman Lake Road
Crystal Point Fishing Access