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Birding in the vicinity of McCloud
View of Mt. Shasta from Forest Service Road 39N21
| The forests, streams, and meadows surrounding
the little town of McCloud offer excellent summer birding in a gorgeous
mountain setting. Although McCloud itself is situated at the deceptively
low elevation of 3,200 feet, it is conveniently close to alpine recreation
areas, and less than 20 minutes by car from I-5 and Mt. Shasta
City.
If you have limited time,
you will probably want to concentrate your attention on the area south of
town along Squaw Valley Creek. From I-5 take Highway 89 to McCloud, and
turn south onto Squaw Valley Road. In about 2 miles the road crosses two
small creeks. At the second stream crossing there is a beaver pond on the
west side of the road, although it is mostly hidden from view. For a
better look, turn right at 2.1 miles, follow the short stretch of road to
the end, and go through the gap in the fence to view the pond. In spring
and summer this area is host to a wealth of birdlife. There are obscure
paths through the woods both north and south of the pond, with some
bushwacking usually necessary (but worth the effort!).
Check the
pond, the riparian further upstream, and the surrounding forest. Birds
possible here in summer include Mallard, Mountain
Quail, Common Nighthawk, Belted Kingfisher, Hairy
Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Olive-sided, Willow, Hammond’s (rare), Dusky, and Pacific-slope
Flycatchers, Cassin’s and Warbling Vireos, Tree and Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Mountain Chickadee,
all 3 nuthatches, Brown Creeper, House Wren, American Robin, Swainson’s Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Hermit, MacGillivray’s,
and Wilson’s Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Fox and Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin,
and Evening Grosbeak. There are frequent surprises here; a Solitary Sandpiper was at the pond in July 1988, and a Red-shouldered Hawk was observed in July 1999. |
Pond along Squaw Valley Road south of McCloud
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| Farther south along Squaw Valley Road, in
meadow and streamside willows, you could find Red-breasted
Sapsucker, Willow Flycatcher, Swainson's Thrush, and
other previously mentioned species. Also watch for Vaux’s Swift and
several species of swallows overhead. At some point the road enters Shasta
County, and at 6.1 miles from Highway 89 you will want to turn right onto
Forest Service Road 39N21.
Search riparian thickets along Squaw Valley
Creek within the first 2 miles for Calliope Hummingbird, Willow
Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush, Yellow and MacGillivray’s Warblers, and Yellow-breasted Chat. The
best riparian habitat is at a pullout on the right at 1.7 miles. At 3.1
miles, just past a cement bridge, the Squaw Valley Creek Trail commences
from a parking area on the left. American Dipper has been known to
nest under the footbridge for the Pacific Crest Trail, which is only a
short hike from the trailhead. Sighting a Northern Goshawk is
possible anywhere in the vicinity of McCloud, so keep looking
up! |
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| Another area of interest, both birdwise and
in terms of scenic value, is Lakin Dam on the McCloud River. To get there,
from McCloud go east on Highway 89 for 5.0 miles, and turn right onto the
McCloud River Loop Road. Follow the signs to Lakin Dam, a popular fishing
spot. The willow riparian upstream from the dam is loud with birdsong in
summer. This is another place for Swainson's Thrush, all the
usual warblers, and possibly Willow Flycatcher. The nearby falls
are awesome, and defintely worth the short side trips. American
Dippers live among the rushing torrents, and you might also see an Osprey or two. Watch for Townsend's Solitaire in coniferous
forest.
From McCloud the intrepid explorer can also
take a less-traveled route to Mt. Shasta. From the McCloud Ranger Station
go east on Highway 89 for 2.8 miles to Pilgrim Creek Road, proceed north
for 7.3 miles to Road 19, and follow signs to the Brewer Creek Trailhead
(15.4 miles). En route to the trailhead you will have ample opportunity to
look for woodpeckers, flycatchers (including Hammond’s), Gray
Jay (try the higher elevation red fir forest), Clark's Nutcracker (especially near timberline), Cassin's Finch, and Evening
Grosbeak. From the trailhead (7,200 feet) there is access to the
Wintun and Hotlum Glaciers. Above timberline the birds are sparse, but
with luck you might find Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch.
For more information on forest trails and
wildlife viewing opportunities, visit the McCloud Ranger Station, located
on the north side of Highway 89 about .4 mile east of the Squaw Valley
Road junction.
There are plenty of other birding sites within
reasonable driving distance of McCloud. If you continue east on Highway
89, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park has nesting Black Swifts at the falls, nearby Lake Britton has breeding Bald Eagles, and
Lassen Volcanic National Park is excellent for Black-backed
Woodpecker and other boreal forest species. |
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