Mountain Meadows Basin
Birds – Overview
More than 100 bird species live throughout the Mountain Meadows Basin, year-round and seasonally (see list below). The Basin is also an important link along the Sierra north/south bird migration route. Migratory and nesting waterfowl, including ducks, geese, grebes, and swans can number in the thousands. Lake Almanor and Mountain Meadows Reservoir, linked by the Hamilton Branch, have collectively been designated an Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA).
Willow Flycatchers, Bald Eagles, and Greater Sandhill Cranes nest here, and together with Peregrine Falcons and Swainson’s Hawks are among the endangered or threatened species found at Mountain Meadows. Species of special concern include the Osprey, Yellow and Hermit Warblers, White Pelican, Northern Goshawk, and Cooper and Sharp-shinned Hawks. The Mountain Meadows watershed also contains habitats ideally suited for the Pacific Fisher and Spotted Owl. It is one of the larger nesting areas for Wood Ducks and Willow Flycatchers in Northern California.
Birds – Species List
Underlined birds listed as species of special concern; names in bold indicate threatened or endangered. Click on bird names in blue to hear their calls:
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