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Southwest Region

Southwest Region Sites

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge/Lake Lowell

Nearest Town: Nampa
Site Size: 10,500 acres

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

Access: Year-round. Seasonal nesting closure. Open sunrise - sunset. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: I-84 Exit #33A (W-bound) or Exit #33 (E-bound); W on Hwy 55/Karcher Rd for 3.5 mi to Lake Ave; L onto Lake Ave for 2.5 mi to stop sign at Roosevelt Ave; R onto Roosevelt Ave; at Indiana Ave at the top of the hill, L into refuge; follow rd to visitor center.

Description: Large numbers of shorebirds appear in Aug when low water levels expose mudflats. Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Western Grebe, and Wood Duck are numerous from Sept-Dec on the lake and in the planted refuge fields. Visiting fall-winter raptors include Bald Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, and Rough-legged Hawks, and Prairie and Peregrine Falcons. April-May watch for migrating grebes, Double-crested Cormorant, Caspian Tern, Sora, Virginia Rail, and Great Horned, Northern Saw-whet, Western Screech, Long-eared and Barn Owls. Directions for a local birding r-oute around the Lake can be obtained at the visitor center.

More Information:
Deer Flat NWR (208) 467-9278
Nampa Chamber of Commerce (208) 466-4641
www.fws.gov/deerflat/


Photos
deerflatlakelowell-bruce-ackermanl.JPG
Deer Flat NWR
Photo Copyright Bruce Ackerman
barn-owl--tom-munson.jpg
Barn Owl
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
osprey--keith-carlson.jpg
Osprey
Photo Copyright Ketih Carlson
wood-duck--tom-munson.jpg
Wood Duck
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaVisitor CenterInterpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsHiking TrailsHuntingFishingWater SportsNo OHV/ATVs AllowedNo Horseback Riding

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


Habitat
marshes/lakes/ponds Graph illustrating 64% 64%
other Graph illustrating 11% 11%
riverine riparian 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 AM
Shorebirds N N N N N N N Y Y Y N N
Songbirds N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N AM
Upland Birds Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y AM
Waterbirds N N N N Y Y Y Y Y N N N ALL
Waterfowl Y Y Y N N N N N N Y Y Y 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.

    Bittern, Herons and IbisesGeese, Swans and DucksGoatsuckersGrebesGrosbeaks and BuntingsGrouse and TurkeyHawks and EaglesHummingbirdsJaegers and GullsKingfisherOwlsPelicans and CormorantPigeons and DovesQuailRails and CootsShorebirdsShrikesSparrows and alliesSwiftsTanagersTernsThrashersThrushesTyrant FlycatchersVireosWood WarblersWoodpeckers

    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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