Clear Lake Birding Hot Spots

What are the best places to see birds around Clear Lake?

Clear Lake is home to a large variety of species. Since many of them are found in or near the water, the top places to see birds are around the lake. Clear Lake Campground is right on Cache Creek and across from Anderson Marsh State Park so you'll probably see birds from Camp. One of the best ways to get a closer look at water birds is in a kayak or canoe along Cache Creek from Camp, either in your own or renting one of ours. Book a kayak or canoe.

Where to See Birds:

• Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: Just a couple minutes drive from Camp on Highway 53,  Anderson Marsh has several walking and hiking trails. You're likely to see birds in the air, in trees, or in the water if you take the easy trail past the ranch house that goes along the creek. Another trail leads to the McVicar Sanctuary and Trail. If you follow that trail you'll come to a beach where swans are sometimes spotted.
• Fults Family Vineyard: A couple miles farther along the highway, you'll arrive at Fults Family Vineyard. From the deck there's a great view of the pond, a good area for spotting birds and of course, tasting wine. You'll need to call ahead to make a reservation. 
• Clear Lake State Park: In Kelseyville, about half an hour from Camp, Clear Lake State Park opens onto Clear Lake and has walking paths along Cole Creek, making it a good place for spotting water birds as well as birds in trees. There's a day use fee to enter the park.
• Peace & Plenty Farm: Near Clear Lake State Park, Peace & Plenty Farm sells organic vegetables and saffron from their garden as well as eggs from their chickens and other products. A creek runs through the property and Simon, one of the owners, is an ornithologist. Contact them to arrange a visit.
• Clear Lake Keys: Going the opposite direction on Highway 53 from camp, turn left on Highway 20 to Clearlake Oaks. Clearlake Keys is a subdivision built on 6.5 miles of channels along the lake in Clearlake Oaks. Walking through the neighborhood gives you a good chance to see water birds.
• Rodman Slough County Park: Near the town of Nice, on the north shore of Clear Lake. Rodman Slough has a 7.9 mile round-trip water trail that goes through wetlands to Tule Lake, perfect for a kayak or canoe in winter or spring. The 40 acre park has picnic tables, a beach for swimming, hiking trails, and places to fish, too.
• Middle Creek Nature Area: Off Highway 20 in Upper Lake, Middle Creek has easy hiking trails with good opportunities for birding - especially egrets, heron, cormorants, and osprey. Part of the trail goes along the Rodman Slough water trail.

What birds might I see around Clear Lake?
See our list of birds most commonly spotted in Lake County.

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