The Klamath Basin is famous for its incredibly diverse bird populations and the many other animal species that call the area home. With summer well underway, now is a great time to get better acquainted with all of our non-human neighbors.  

Many of our real estate agents are avid birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts who spend a lot of time in local nature preserves. Check out these five spots they recommend for wildlife-watching around the region.

• Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge - 4009 Hill Road, Tulelake, CA 96134 
  Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a key stop along the spring and fall migration routes of many local waterfowl. The terrain is a mixture of dry land and marshes with very few tall trees, allowing for stunning panoramic views across the surface of Tule Lake. This refuge near our Tulelake homes for sale is one of the most visitor-friendly natural spaces in the Klamath Basin, featuring an informative visitors' center as well as two walking trails, a canoe trail, and several lookout points where you can admire the landscape. Watch out for large birds like great horned owls and small shorebirds like spotted sandpipers. 
  
  
• Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge - 26661 Rocky Point Road, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 
  Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 23,000 acres of cattail-bulrush marsh on the fringe of Upper Klamath Lake. Like the Lower Klamath area, this spot is home to a plethora of local waterfowl. The American white pelican is especially common here, so keep an eye out for their tell-tale snow-white feathers. While you can enjoy some short walks and birdwatching from the shores of the marsh, the Upper Klamath Canoe Trail is the best way to experience everything this spot has to offer. It features 9.5 miles of winding water trails you can travel at your own pace, allowing you to see the local plants and animals up close.   
  
  
• Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge - Dorris, CA 96023 
  Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge was America's first waterfowl refuge back when it opened in 1906, and it's still one of the largest and most important avian reserves in the country today. It includes almost all of the biomes common to the area around our Dorris homes for sale, including marshes, grasslands, and open water. The refuge has two short walking trails and a 10.2-mile auto tour route that takes you through the areas where birds are most likely to gather. Depending on when you visit, you might spot bald and golden eagles, egrets, several species of geese and ducks, and even peregrine falcons.  
  
  
• Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge - 21401 Silver Lake Road, Chiloquin, OR 97624 
  Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to explore the Klamath Basin's plentiful wet meadows. Despite their name, these open grassy plains are usually not waterlogged, so they can easily be navigated during the summer months. This conservation area near our Chiloquin homes for sale is close to the local wetlands, making it especially lush and teeming with plant life. You'll see plenty of green grasses and colorful wildflowers as you walk around the open space. It's a great spot to look for non-waterfowl birds, too, including blackbirds, nuthatches, sandhill cranes, and even striking blue Steller's jays and tree swallows.  
  
  
• Klamath Wildlife Area Miller Island Unit - 1850 Miller Island Road West, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 
  The Klamath Wildlife Area comprises four distinct units, each with its own biomes and animal populations. Miller Island Unit is the closest one to our Klamath Falls homes for sale. It spans more than 2400 acres in total and has a 2.5-mile walking trail and a paved road running through it. This is a good spot to look for mammalian and amphibian wildlife like turtles, muskrats, weasels, and river otters. You can also spot plenty of impressive birds, such as white-faced ibises, American avocets, and yellow-headed blackbirds.  

Klamath Basin's summer wildlife is both beautiful and fascinating, but there's even more to see during the other three seasons. Contact us today to discover a home in the area where you can enjoy these incredible ecosystems year-round.