Idaho is a state with a rich avian diversity and offers many opportunities for bird watching. In this article, we will explore some of the best places for bird watching in the state,

Hagerman Wildlife Management Area:

Located in south-central Idaho, this 2,400-acre wildlife refuge is a prime location for bird watching. With over 200 documented bird species, visitors can observe bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and waterfowl from several hiking trails and observation areas.

Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area:

This 485,000-acre area in southwestern Idaho is home to over 800 pairs of nesting birds of prey, including golden eagles, prairie falcons, and American kestrels. Visitors can explore the area on foot or by car, with several hiking trails and scenic drives available.

Camas National Wildlife Refuge:

This 10,000-acre refuge in eastern Idaho is a prime location for bird watching, with over 250 documented bird species. Visitors can observe sandhill cranes, white-faced ibises, and waterfowl from several hiking trails and observation areas throughout the refuge.

Boise River Greenbelt:

This 25-mile paved pathway follows the banks of the Boise River through Boise and surrounding communities. Visitors can observe a variety of bird species, including songbirds, woodpeckers, and waterfowl, from the river and surrounding parks and green spaces.

American Falls:

This town near the American Falls Reservoir offers several birding sites along the river and nearby wetlands, where visitors can observe pelicans, cormorants, gulls, terns, grebes, ducks, geese, and swans.

Mink Creek Recreation Area:

This area near Pocatello is a good place to see mountain birds, including blue grouse, dusky grouse, three-toed woodpeckers, gray jays, Clark’s nutcrackers, mountain chickadees, and red crossbills.

Market Lake Wildlife Management Area:

This 5,000-acre area near Roberts is a major stopover for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Visitors can observe snow geese, tundra swans, white-faced ibises, black-necked stilts, avocets, and phalaropes.

Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area:

This 485,000-acre area along the Snake River in southwestern Idaho is home to the largest concentration of nesting birds of prey in North America. Visitors can observe golden eagles, prairie falcons, American kestrels, burrowing owls, and peregrine falcons.

C.J. Strike Wildlife Management Area:

This 7,500-acre area near Bruneau offers a diverse habitat for birds ranging from sagebrush specialists to wetland dwellers. Visitors can observe sage grouse, sage thrashers, Brewer’s sparrows, horned larks, yellow-headed blackbirds, and marsh wrens.

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge:

This 11,000-acre refuge near Nampa includes Lake Lowell and several islands on the Snake River. Visitors can observe great blue herons, great egrets, black-crowned night herons, double-crested cormorants, pelicans, and ospreys.

Table Rock Trail:

This 3.7-mile trail near Boise offers a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains. Visitors can observe raptors such as red-tailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, northern harriers, and kestrels.

In addition to raptors, visitors to the Table Rock Trail may also spot other bird species such as songbirds, woodpeckers, and various waterfowl along the nearby Boise River. The trail is a popular destination for both hikers and bird watchers, offering a unique perspective of the city and the diverse bird life that calls the area home. The best times for bird watching along the trail are during the spring and fall migration periods when many species are passing through the area.