The free-flowing section of the Klamath River in Siskiyou County is among the most significant birding areas in the West. It is one of the most geologically interesting regions in the country. The varied terrain, and variety of vegetation attract numerous bird species. Birders who find this largely undiscovered area can expect to see hundreds of species; the growing list for the free flowing area of the Klamath, from Copco Lake to the Siskiyou County border currently contains 222 birds, 160 normally found in season, and at least 132 breeders. The Klamath Basin is renowned for it’s wide diversity and abundance of bird life due to its diverse habitats including marshes, open water, coniferous forest, Juniper woodlands, oak-chaparral, sagebrush-grasslands, grassy meadow and rocky cliffs. They are home to the largest population of wintering bald eagles in the United States.
Klamath Basin and Tulelake National Wildlife Refuges, have a large variety of species of birds. Visitors can expect a show at almost anytime of the year. Fall is dynamic, with three-quarters of the waterfowl migrating along the Pacific Flyway visiting the refuges. By late December the remaining waterfowl attract thousands of raptors, including the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states.