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Idaho Birding Trail LogoMale Sage GrouseMountain Bluebird
North Region

North Region Sites

Kelso Lake/Hoodoo Valley

Nearest Town: Athol
Site Size: 7 miles long

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

Access: Year-round. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: From Athol, US 95 N for 4 mi to mp 453; L on Granite Lake Rd; go 1 mi; turn L on Kelso Lake Rd; travel 1.6 mi to Kelso Lake; continuing W on Kelso Lake Rd, bluebird country will begin when rd is bordered by open fields and continues for 7 miles past Kelso Lake.

Description: Spring and summer is the best time to visit. Virginia Rail can be seen and heard at Granite Lake. Look for Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Harrier, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, American Bittern, American Redstart, and swallows along this route.

More Information:

Hayden Chamber of Commerce (208) 762-1185


Photos
kelso-lake--al-turtle.jpg
Kelso Lake
Photo Copyright Al Turtle
northern-harrier,-male--tom-munson.jpg
Northern Harrier
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
western-bluebird---michael-woodruff.jpg
Western Bluebird
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkCampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking TrailsNo HuntingFishingNo Water SportsNo OHV/ATVs AllowedNo Horseback Riding

Handicapped Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive MaterialsBoat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking Trails
What do these icons mean?


Habitat
agriculture Graph illustrating 40% 40%
marshes/lakes/ponds Graph illustrating 35% 35%
other Graph illustrating 25% 25%

Best Observation Times
Bird Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec AM/PM
Raptors Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ALL
Shorebirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N AM
Songbirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N AM
Upland Birds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N ALL
Waterbirds N N N N Y Y Y Y N N N N AM
Waterfowl N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 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.

    Blackbirds and alliesChickadees and TitmouseFinches and alliesGeese, Swans and DucksGrebesGrosbeaks and BuntingsHawks and EaglesOwlsRails and CootsShorebirdsSparrows and alliesSwallowsTanagersThrushesTyrant FlycatchersVireosWood 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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