Spring time Birding in Southern Idaho
Southern Idaho is a fantastic place to be for the spring birding season. Be a spring time guest at the City of Rocks to witness the first arriving of the Long-billed Curlew, Lazuli Bunting, or Virginia Warblers. From the Snake River Plain to the South Hills and Albion Mountains, it has been quiet for too long. Winter snows have a way of hushing the landscape. But now, this time of year, the country is greening up; the sky is blue, lightly holding cumulous puffs; and boisterous birds are everywhere!
Birders find many specialties in Castle Rocks State Park, near Almo in Cassia County
Where to find the birds?
Thank goodness for Idaho’s public lands and rural back roads, where a birder can pursue the objects of his obsession, making random and sudden stops, jumping out like a wild man to photograph a perfectly perched Yellow-headed Blackbird, or to see the Swainsons Hawk, while resting assured that he is probably the only SUV for miles in either direction. A local favorite Southern Idaho back road birding routes include: Thousand Springs Scenic Byway and City of Rocks Back Country Byway, but also a route that stair-steps north along the Snake River to the falls below Lake Walcott, and the wide open spaces of Highway 24 from Minidoka to Dietrich.
You just never know what you’ll find.
Back road birding yields this perfectly perched nest of young Red-tailed Hawks
It is recommended parking the car safely and striking out on foot in these hot spots: Lake Walcott State Park’s giant trees, Castle Rocks State Park‘s Almo Creek Wetlands, Hagerman Wildlife Management Area’s Oster Lakes, and Silver Creek Preserve’s willow thickets. These are just a few places birders could burn a couple of hours watching birds, but just about any secluded locale with varied natural habitat will do.
A Lazuli Bunting heralds spring atop a Serviceberry in bloom
Types of Birds in Southern Idaho & Booklet
The out-of the area birder should definitely look to count these Southern Idaho specialties for spring and summer: Pinyon Jay, Gray Flycatcher, Virginia Warbler, Juniper Titmouse, and Black-throated Gray Warbler. Essential to the birder’s tool-kit is the Idaho Birding Trail booklet, published by the Idaho Fish and Game, and a good road atlas, such as the popular Delorme series. I also like to throw in a couple of trail bars and some peanut M&M?s.
Do you want a birding guide? Check out Castle Rocks State Park’s Facebook page to see their guided tours!
GUEST BLOGGER: Wallace Keck, Retired Superintendent; City of Rocks National Reserve
Where to Stay and Eat
If you’re checking out the City of Rocks, you definitely want to stay nearby at the Almo Inn. Camping options are all around too, including the new Rock Wren Hideaway, a ‘glamping’ experience just for you. If you’re planning to check out Lake Walcott and Hagerman area too, we recommend a hotel in Burley to be more centrally located. Find all the options here: https://visitsouthidaho.com/stay/
Eat at The Lunchroom to support local and learn history. The Outpost at the Almo Inn is lovely too, and open during the summer season.