Directions: COUGAR BAY (MAP N21): I-90 Exit #12 in Coeur d’Alene (CDA); US 95 S for ~2 mi; preserve entrance sign on L (E) side of rd. NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE (NIC) BEACH: In CDA, S on Lincoln Ave; cross rr tracks; R (W) on River Ave; go 0.1 mi to Rosenberry Dr; L (S) on Rosenberry to beach. INDEPENDENCE POINT: from NIC beach, at end of dike (rd turns into Lakeshore Dr), L (N) onto Park Dr for 0.2 mi; R (E) on Mullan; R (SE) on Northwest Blvd; go one block; R into Independence Point parking lot. TUBBS HILL: from Independence Point parking lot, R (E) 2 blocks to Second St; R (S) for one block; curve left (E); rd becomes Front St; pass resort; immediate R (S) turn into free parking lot at the base of Tubbs Hill. HIGGINS POINT/CENTENNIAL TRAIL: from Tubbs Hill parking, L (W) onto Front St; R (N) onto Second St; R (E) on Sherman Ave; R (S) on E Coeur d’Alene Lake Dr; follow signs. FERNAN LAKE WEST END: return to Sherman Ave; continue E to Fernan Lake; pass under I-90 overpass; Forest Service Ranger Station on R; make first R turn after Ranger Station; straight at stop sign; pass though gates to parking lot. FERNAN LAKE EAST END: continue E on Fernan Lake Rd.

Description: COUGAR BAY: This site attracts migrating and nesting waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. Western Tanager, Cassin’s Vireo, Winter Wren, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and teal can be found. INDEPENDENCE BEACH AND NIC BEACH: This IBA hosts a large number of gulls (California, Ring-billed, Herring) and waterfowl (Ring-necked Duck, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Merganser) in winter. Pygmy Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Townsend’s Solitaire, and Townsend’s and MacGillivray’s Warblers can be found. TUBBS HILL: Osprey can be found April though Sept on N side of Hill. Pygmy Nuthatch are common in the ponderosa pines. Woodpeckers are often seen. MacGillivray’s and Nashville Warblers first arrive on the north and northeast side by April. Winter Wren are resident. SILVER BEACH AND HIGGINS POINT: A variety of waterfowl and waterbirds can be seen year-round at this site. Osprey prevalent during the summer. Spectacular concentrations of Bald Eagle in Dec and early Jan when lake salmon spawn. Hillsides behind lake are ponderosa pine forest with variety of songbirds during summer months. Rock Wren have been heard above boat launch. Pygmy Nuthatch nest on Higgins Point. Good for Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, and Spotted Sandpiper in spring/ summer. FERNAN LAKE: Great Blue Heron rookery on west end across from docks. Birds return by March. Young can be observed by May. Bald Eagle nest on east end, south side. Many Red-necked Grebes all year. Virginia Rail and Sora in summer. Common Loon migrate during late spring.

More Information:
Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce (208) 667-9338
Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce 1-877-782-9232
thewhistler.com/tubbshill/index.htm