Wolf Creek Area   return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66                                  geographic coordinates 42 41’ 45” N   123 23’ 44” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From Grants Pass, go north on Interstate 5 to Wolf Creek (exit 76). Wolf Creek Park is located at the end of Main Street.  County Park Website.  Wolf Creek itself is not partcularly birdy (although it is famous for producing an Ovenbird once.  The park is worth checking out but the main attraction is Lower Wolf Creek Road which takes you through a nice forested area.  Timber of varying ages can produce the normal forest species like grouse, finches, and nuthatches.

Coyote Creek Wetlands     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 27 C-6   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 C-3                      geographic coordinates 42 40’ 56” N   123 19’ 48” W

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Southwest Oregon Resource Conservation & Development Council Report 

Location, Habitat and Birds:  From Grants Pass, travel 18 miles north on I-5 to Wolf Creek and take exit 76.  At the end of the off ramp, turn right and follow Coyote Creek Road for about four miles to Golden. Look for the old church on the left and the parking area for the Golden Wetlands trailhead on the right.

King Mountain     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 27 C-5   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 C-4                   geographic coordinates 42 41’ 30” N   123 13’ 50” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  King Mountain is in the very NE corner of the county and is over 5000 ft tall so winter access is not recommended.  When you reach the top, everything to the east is Jackson County.  Douglas County is only 1 mile north of there.  To access King Mountain, one should have a Medford District BLM map and back-road navigating skills.  There are many forest road intersections on the routes to King Mountain.  Two approaches can be used.  One approach is to follow directions to Coyote Creek Wetlands (in preceding section) up Coyote Creek Road and continue past Coyote Creek Wetlands using the Medford BLM Transportation Map to reach King Mountain.  The other approach is to leave I-5 one exit North of the Wolf Creek exit at the Speaker Exit 78.  Go west up Speaker Road (which follows Wolf Creek) and continue past Speaker up Bummer Gulch to King Mountain using the Medford District Transportation Map.  Some of thebirds you might see on the mountain are Sooty Grouse, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Townsend's Solitaire, Wrentit, Fox Sparrow, and Red Crossbill.  Cassin’s finch have been observed here multiple times and Green-Tailed Towhee can be found during breeding season.

Almeda Park      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 26 D-4    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 D-1                     geographic coordinates 42 36’ 20” N   123 34’ 55” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From I-5 north of Grants Pass, take exit 61 and travel west on Merlin Galice Road.  Take this road 19 miles to the park.  Almeda Park  Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Possibilities include gulls, herons, shorebirds, owls, hawks, swallows, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, corvids, blackbirds, warblers, sparrows, and finches.

Hellgate Canyon     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 27 D-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-2               geographic coordinates 42 32’ 27” N   123 30’ 04” W

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 Recreation Area Hellgate Brochure 

Location:    From Merlin, take Galice Rd. 5.0 miles to a gravel pullout on the right, 0.3 miles past the Hog Creek river access area.  There is a sign here that says "Galice-Hellgate - National Back Country Byway".   Bird this area thoroughly.  Next, travel 0.9 miles farther west, past the Hellgate Canyon Overlook, and look for a power line access road on the right.  This area can be walked and is pretty birdy.  Another 0.3 miles west, a wide parking area just before the Hellgate bridge is good, as is Stratton Creek Rd. on the north side of the highway at the bridge.

Habitat and Birds: Steep, rocky cliffs border the Rogue River along this route.  River sand flats and calm pools can harbor water birds.  Mixed conifers and hardwoods are joined by oak savannah and oak woodlands along the way.  Some birds you might see along this route are Double-crested Cormorant, Common Merganser, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Wild Turkey, Mountain Quail, Spotted Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon, N. Pygmy-Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Western Wood-Pewee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, American Dipper, both kinglets, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, Western Bluebird, Wrentit, 7-8 species of warbler including Hermit, California Towhee, and Lesser Goldfinch.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Indian Mary County Park      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 26 D-4    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-1                 geographic coordinates 42 33’ 04” N   123 32’ 25” W

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County Park Website

Location, Habitat and Birds:  Take I-5 exit 61 to Merlin-Galice Road.  Take Merlin-Galice for 11 miles to the park (right after crossing the river at the Hellgate Bridge).  This wonderful little park can produce Common Merganser among other waterfowl, Spotted Sandpiper, Western Tanager, migrating passerines, and three species of vireo. 

Galice To Grave Creek      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 26 D-4     DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-1                        geographic coordinates 42 34’ 11” N   123 35’ 48” W

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Location:  North of Grants Pass, take exit 61 to Merlin Road.  Travel west on the Merlin-Galice Road for 15.4 miles to the Galice Store.  Grave Creek Bridge is 7.2 miles north of Galice along the Galice Road.  The road follows the Rogue River. 

Habitat and Birds:  Mixed conifers and mountain riparian areas.  During a recent survey, 85 species were noted along this stretch of road over a 12 month period.  Those species included Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Steller's Jay, Cassin's Vireo, Black-throated Gray Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Western Tanager, Osprey, and Violet-green Swallow.  Surprises included Wild Turkey, California Quail, and Townsend's Warbler.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Horse Creek Meadow Wildlife Area     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 29 A-5   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 62 A-2                    geographic coordinates 42 27’ 00” N   123 40’ 15” W

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Location  (All distances are estimates on this route) From the center of Grants Pass (Where 199, 99, and 238 converge), take Hwy 199 (Redwood Hwy) SW for just under 7 miles to Riverbank Road.  Go right (north) on Riverbank road and travel 5.5 miles to Forest Road 2706.  Turn left (west) on 2706 and travel for 7.8 miles to Forest Road 2509.  Turn right (north) on 2509 and travel .7 miles to a fork.  Stay on 2509 by turning left.  Travel another 2.3 miles and the road forks again.  Stay on 2509 by turning right and traveling 1.3 miles to Forest Road 121.  Turn left (west) on 121 (Horse Creek Road) and travel 2 miles to the meadow. 

Habitat and Birds:  Horse Creek Meadow Website  The Institute For Bird Populations has a banding station here and this location is usually one of the most productive in the whole state.  The species diversity here is rivaled by no other test location.

Griffin Park      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-2     g                    eographic coordinates 42 27’ 49” N   123 29’ 10” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From Grants Pass (I-5 exit 55), take Hwy 199 SW for about 7 miles to Riverbanks Road (just past the bridge over the Applegate River).  Take this road for 6 miles and turn right on Griffin Park Road and the park entrance will appear shortly. Griffin Park Website  Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Possibilities include gulls, herons, shorebirds, owls, hawks, swallows, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, corvids, blackbirds, warblers, sparrows, and finches.

Shan Creek to Onion Mountain      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 A-4    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-1                      geographic coordinates 42 27’ 07” N   123 30’ 04” W

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Location:  North of Grants Pass, take I-5 exit 61 to Merlin Road.  Travel west on Merlin for 3.7 miles to Robertson Bridge Road.  Turn left (southwest) and go to the end of Robertson Bridge Road (about 3.3 miles).  Turn right (west) on Lower River Road.  Take Lower River for 0.5 miles to Riverbanks Road (turn left just after you cross the Robertson Bridge).  Go south  for 3.8 miles to Shan Creek Road (this is FR 2706).  Turn right (west) on Shan Creek and go about 8.2 miles.  Turn right on 2509 to Onion Mountain.

Habitat and Birds:  Mixed conifer forest and riparian wetlands can be found here.  Mountain Quail, Acorn Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Nashville Warbler, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hermit Thrush, Bewick's Wren, Mountain Chickadee, and Townsend Solitaire can all be found in the forested areas.  In the brushy areas look for Wrentit, Dusky Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Fox Sparrow.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Whitehorse County Park    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-2                     geographic coordinates 42 26’ 15” N   123 27’ 26” W

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Location:  From I-5 in Grants Pass, take exit 58.  Take 6th Street south to G Street in central Grants Pass.  Take G Street west where it will become Upper River Road.  Follow Upper River Road for another 6.1 miles to the park.  Whitehorse County Park Website. 

Habitat and Birds:  This is a very popular birding area.  A quick look at the bird list there explains why.  Common species include Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Virginia Rail, Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Great Horned Owl, Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, 6 species of woodpecker, 8 species of flycatcher, Cassin's & Hutton's Vireo, swallows, nuthatches, creeper, wrens, thrushes, American Pipit, warblers, and finches.  Greater White-fronted Geese and Eurasian Wigeon have been found here as have Tundra Swan, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Sandhill Crane, Semipalmated Plover, peeps, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Caspian Tern, Band-tailed Pigeon, Western Screech-Owl, Common Nighthawk, Mountain Chickadee, Nashville Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Lark Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Cassin's Finch, And Evening Grosbeak.  Now that's a bird list!!!!  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Schroeder Park     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-3                   geographic coordinates 42 26’ 10” N   123 22’ 35” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From I-5 exit 55, take Hwy 199 SW for five miles to Willow Lane.  Turn right (north) and travel 2.3 miles to the park.   Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Possibilities include gulls, herons, shorebirds, owls, hawks, swallows, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, corvids, blackbirds, warblers, sparrows, and finches.

Merlin Rest Area (AKA Manzanita Rest Area)     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-3                  geographic coordinates 42 31’ 04” N   123 21’ 46” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  This is a very famous area that many use to get their annual Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, California Towhee, and Oak Titmouse exposures.  It's right off the freeway and offers relatively easy access.  The Merlin Rest Area is located off I-5 about 1.5 miles north of exit 61 just about 5 miles north of Grants Pass.  Accessing the west side rest area from the north (southbound lane) is pretty straightforward.  Just take the exit and follow the signs to the rest area.  The east side of the freeway offers better birding but there is no way across from the west.  You will have to re-enter I-5, go down to exit 61, and come back north to access the rest area on the east side.  Walk this whole area birding the trees and bushes.  Besides the "Big 3" mentioned earlier, other species present might include Lesser Goldfinch, Acorn Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Lazuli Bunting. 

Granite Hill Road     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-4                   geographic coordinates 42 29’ 14” N   123 19’ 47” W

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Location:  North of Grants Pass, take exit 61.  Go east to the intersection of Merlin and Frontage Roads (some maps call this road Highland).  Turn Right and go 0.2 miles to Donaldson Road.  Turn left and go east for 1.9 miles to Granite Hill Road.  Turn left on Granite Hill and go north for 2.6 miles Granite Hill intersects with Winona Road at this point.  Go right and continue on Granite Hill Road for another 2.4 miles (the road becomes BLM road 35-5-21 and then 35-5-26.  There is a private road just beyond BLM road 35-5-26.2.  Turn left here You get back on BLM land after .3 miles and the road dead-ends 3.9 miles from the last intersection.

Habitat and Birds:  This is mostly mixed conifer forest with some riparian wetlands.  Birds found here include Mountain Quail, Hutton's Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hermit Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, and Band-tailed Pigeon along with the more mundane standard forest fare.  Interesting sightings have included Northern Pygmy-Owl, Townsend's Warbler, Red Crossbill, and Northern Saw-whet Owl.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Grants Pass    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-3                 geographic coordinates 42 26’ 26” N   123 19’ 33” W

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City Information 

City Parks

Location, Habitat and Birds:  Grants Pass is located 138 miles south of Eugene and 30 miles NW of Medford.  I-5 runs by the eastern edge of the city.  The main I-5 exits are 55 and 58.  A favored location within the city limits is Riverside Park.  Riverside Park:  From downtown Grants Pass, follow 6th St. south until you cross the Rogue River on Caveman Bridge.  Turn left into the park entrance immediately after crossing the bridge.   Alternately, from I-5 exit 55, follow Hwy 199 toward Crescent City for 2 miles.  Just after you cross the Rogue River bridge, turn right on Park St., go 0.3 miles, and turn right on Vista Dr.  This park offers a convenient site to check the river for waterfowl, gulls, and songbirds in the riverside trees.  Birds you might find in Grants Pass include Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Spotted Sandpiper, Anna's Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Wrentit, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Siskin, and Lesser Goldfinch.   Rarities seen in the past include the state's only record of Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Indigo Bunting, Costa's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, and Swamp Sparrow.

Tom Pearce Park      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-4                   geographic coordinates 42 25’ 57” N   123 16’ 18” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  This is Josephine County's largest day use park.  From I-5 exit 55 go west and quickly turn left (south) on Agness Street.  Take Agness for 2 blocks and turn left (east) on Foothill Road.  Turn right onto Pearce Park Rd. in about a mile, just before passing under the freeway.  Take Pearce Park Rd. for a mile to the park entrance.  The parkdoesn't open until 8:00 AM so early birds can park across the railroad tracks in a small gravel lot and walk into the park.  Tom Pearce Park Website    Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Common birds here include Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, California Quail, Spotted Sandpiper, Vaux's Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Dipper, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, both kinglets (this is a great location to spend some time comparing Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Hutton's Vireos), Varied Thrush, Wrentit, Orange-crowned Warbler, California Towhee, Purple Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Pierce Riffle Park     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-4                  geographic coordinates 42 25’ 32” N   123 14’ 36” W

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Location:  From I-5 in Grants Pass, take exit 55 and travel west.  Just after exiting, get in the left lane and look for a left turn on Agness Avenue.  Go about 0.2 miles on Agness and turn left on Foothill Blvd.  Go 2.8 miles (under the freeway twice) to Averill Road.  Turn right and travel 0.7 miles to the park.

Habitat and Birds:  Mixed Conifer, grassland, and riparian wetlands are joined by some open water habitat.  Common birds at this location include Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Osprey, Spotted Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Vaux's Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Hutton's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Violet-green Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Bushtit, Red & White-breasted Nuthatch, both kinglets, Western Bluebird, Wrentit, Orange-crowned & Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, and House Finch.  A little less common but possible are Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Virginia Rail, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, Pine Siskin, and Red Crossbill.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Cathedral Hills Park and Hiking Trails    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 67 A-8                  geographic coordinates 42 24’ 10” N   123 19’ 50” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds: From downtown Grants Pass, follow 6th Street south until it becomes Hwy 238 (Williams Highway) at the intersection with Hwy 199.  From here, travel 2.8 miles south and turn left on Espey Road.  Stay to the left, following Espey 0.5 miles to the parking area at the end.  A series of trails winds all over this forested hill.  Trail Maps. 

Fish Hatchery Park and Trail     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 B-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 67 A-8                  geographic coordinates 42 21’ 28” N   123 24’ 46” W

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Location:  Take I-5 exit 55 on the south end of Grants Pass.  Take the Grants Pass Parkway (Hwy 199) 2 miles south on 199 for 2.2 miles to Hwy 238 (Williams Hwy).  Turn south onto 238 and go 1.6 miles to New Hope Road.  Turn right and go about 3.3 miles to Fish Hatchery Road.  Take Fish Hatchery west for 1.9 miles to Wetherbee Drive.  Turn right and go 0.7 miles to the park. Fish Hatchery Park Website 

Habitat and Birds:    Open water, riparian areas, grassland, ceanothus-manzanita brush, oak savannah, oak woodland, and mixed conifer forests can be found at this location.  Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Possibilities include Great Egret, Green Heron, Wood Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded and Common Mergansers, Red-shouldered Hawk, Mountain Quail, Band-tailed Pigeon, Great Horned Owl, Vaux's Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Lewis's Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Clark's Nutcracker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Wrentit, Nashville Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, and Evening Grosbeak.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Selma Area      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 B-4   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 B-5                    geographic coordinates 42 16’ 45” N   123 36’ 57” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Selma is on Hwy 199 nine miles north of Cave Junction and about 20 miles SW of downtown Grants Pass.  Once you reach this area, you can take Deer Cr. Road or you can go west on Illinois River Road.  Deer Creek Road follows Deer Creek to its junction with the Illinois River and then follows the river for many miles.  NFD 4105 branches off of the Illinois River Road (7 miles from Selma) and this road provides good access to forest land.  Selma, and the surrounding farmland, can be somewhat productive.  California Quail and Yellow-breasted Chat can be found here.  A trip to the Illinois River could bring Yellow-breasted Chat, Great-blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Downy Woodpecker, Willow and Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, swallows, migrant warblers, and Bullock's Oriole.  One of the better places to bird on Illinois River Road is the Deer Creek Center run by Siskiyou Field Institute  which is dedicated to environmental and outdoor education.  A great variety of habitats are on the over 800 acre ranch.  A wide variety of birds has been listed including Golden Eagle, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and documented nesting of Red-shouldered Hawks.  Ask at the headquarters for permission to bird.  I recommend calling ahead if you're going to make an early morning visit, to avoid bothering the caretaker who lives on the property. 

Lake Selmac    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-4   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 67 B-6                  geographic coordinates 42 15’ 40” N   123 34’ 49” W 

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Lake Selmac is located about just east of the town of Selma.  From Grants Pass, travel SW on 199 for 22 miles to the town of Selma.  Continue 0.6 miles past Selma and turn left (east) on Lakeshore Drive.  Take Lakeshore for about 2 miles to the lake.  Reeves Creek Rd. branches off of Lakeshore just before the lake.  Reeves Creek can be used to access the west side of the lake.  There are rest areas on the south end of the lake on both the Lakeshore Dr. side and the Reeves Creek side.  Check out the mouth of  McMullin Creek on the SE corner of the lake for a good migrant area. Lake Selmac is the largest body of water in Josephine Co., and the best bet for wayward coastal species, as well as occasional Greater Scaup, grebes, loons, etc.  Lake Selmac Website. 

Lake Selmac Map .  Birds in this area have included Mute Swan, Wood Duck, N. Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Common and Pacific Loon, Pied-billed, Western Grebe, Double-Crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Green Heron, Bald Eagle (a pair nests here), Osprey, Caspian Tern, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Hermit Warbler, and Dark-eyed Junco.  Josephine County rarities including Redhead, Common Goldeneye, Pacific Loon, Red-Necked Grebe, Common Tern, Dunlin and Sage Thrasher have shown up here.

Eight Dollar Mountain     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 B-3   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 B-5                  geographic coordinates 42 15’ 28” N   123 39’ 42” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Eight Dollar Mountain is a 4000 ft prominence found about five miles north of Cave Junction. Access to the mountain itself is difficult but the road around the base allows for some good birding.  To reach this road, take Hwy 199 SW for 26 miles to Eight Dollar Road (8 Dollar Rd.).  Turn right (west) and take this road as it meanders around the base of the mountain.  The following is a list of birds recorded from Eight Dollar Road: Common Merganser, Sooty Grouse, Osprey, Band-tailed Pigeon, Acorn Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hutton's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Wrentit, Cedar Waxwing, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Lazuli Bunting.

Kalmiopsis Wilderness     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-2    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66  B-3                 geographiccoordinates 42 16’ 56” N   123 57’ 47” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:   Wilderness Website    Directions to several hiking trails in the wilderness .  This area is very under-birded and the variety of birds is not well known.  How about taking a good trip to the wilderness and letting us know what you see?  Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon (several eyries), Northern Spotted Owl, Black-Backed Woodpecker, Mountain Bluebird and Green-tailed Towhee are just a few of many interesting birds found in this large area.  In 2002, the giant Biscuit Forest Fire burned through much of the Kalmiopsis, creating large patches of snag forest and, in other ways, dramatically changing the landscape.  Some trails are in disrepair.  The Babyfoot Lake trailhead can be found 17 miles up Eight Dollar Mountain Road, which becomes NF 4201, but there are other access points and many miles of trails through this vast and varied tract of SW Oregon.

Pacifica Botanical Garden    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 C-6    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 B-9                  geographic coordinates 42 16’ 10” N   123 16’ 12” W  

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Pacifica Botanical Garden Website 

Location, Habitat and Birds:  Travel south out of Grants Pass on Hwy 238 for about 12 miles and look for Watergap Road on the right immediately after a big, sweeping left turn in 238.  Take Watergap for about 2.2 miles and look for a green and white "Pacifica" sign after a wooded area.  This area has open water, riparian areas, grasslands, oak savannah and woodlands, and mixed conifer forest.  Good birds seen in this area include Bufflehead, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Wilson's Snipe, Barn Owl, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Violet-green Swallow, Mt. Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, California Towhee, Wrentit, Savannah Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Lesser Goldfinch.  Other birds seen here on occasion (but probably not to be expected) include Clark's Grebe, Green Heron, Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Mountain Quail, Lesser Yellowlegs, Barn Owl, Vaux's Swift, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Pygmy Nuthatch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Pipit, Wrentit, Yellow-breasted Chat, Townsend's Warbler, Hermit Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, and Evening Grosbeak.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Kerby     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-3   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 C-5                   geographic coordinates 42 11’ 40” N   123 39’ 00” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Located just a mile north of Cave Junction on Hwy 199, this little berg can offer some good birds.  This area is bordered by the Illinois River to the west so birds using the river often spill into this community.  A large brushy area along the river can be accessed from the west end of 6th street, and is very birdy.  A one mile trip west on Finch Rd. is also worthwhile, as the fields, drainage ditches, and wooded edges on the other side of the Illinois River tend to be very birdy.  And don't miss the agricultural fields of Sauer's Flat, just north of town on Hwy 199.  A Tufted Duck was once seen here but more common species might include Common Merganser, Osprey, Northern Harrier, White-tailed Kite, Band-tailed Pigeon, Acorn Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Wrentit, California Towhee, and Lark Sparrow.

Cave Junction    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-3   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 C-5                  geographic coordinates 42 10’ 02” N   123 38’ 46” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Cave Junction is located 30 miles SW of Grants Pass on Hwy 199.  Take I-5 exit 55 to 199 and travel west for 30 miles.  Many of the same birds seen in Grants Pass can  be found in Cave Junction, although Oak Titmouse and Gray Gnatcatcher tend to be much harder to come by, and some of the more forest-associated species such as Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-breasted Nuthatch are easier to find. The water treatment plant (at the end of N. Sawyer Avenue off W. River Street) has a good selection of birds, is a dependable site for many duck species, Virginia Rail, Black Phoebe, Marsh Wren and, in season, Common Yellowthroat.  It has hosted such Josephine County rarities as Tufted Duck, Solitary Sandpiper, Red-Necked & Wilson’s Phalarope, Forster’s & Black Tern and Bank Swallow.  Workers may let birders onto the grounds when the plant is open.

Illinois River Forks State Park    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-3    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 D-5                 geographic coordinates 42 09’ 31” N   123 39’ 16” W

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 Park Website  

Location, Habitat and Birds:  This free day-use park is located just one mile south of Cave Junction on Hwy 199.  Take the first right after crossing the Illinois River bridge and follow the signs.  It gets crowded during warm summer months.  Birds here include Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-breasted Chat, Great-blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Downy Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher,  Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Tree and Violet-green Swallows, Yellow Warbler, and Bullock's Oriole.

Rough and Ready Creek Botanical Wayside    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 D-3    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 D-5                 geographic coordinates 42 05’ 42” N   123 40’ 56” W

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Park Website   

Location, Habitat and Birds:  Rough and Ready Botanical State Park Wayside is located about 4.5 miles south of Cave Junction, along highway 199. The parking area is on the west side of the highway, just past milepost 34 and just before the bridge over Rough and Ready Creek. Parking is available on the west side of the highway. The pull-out features a trailhead, a covered picnic table and a kiosk with botanical interpretation. There is a 0.75 mile trail that leads across the gravelly plain and up to the edge of the wooded hills. This area provides some habitat not seen in the rest of the county. With a plant community that looks like it was shipped in from eastern Oregon, this park can attract an interesting mix of birds. Some of the species reported from here include Bufflehead, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Pileated and Acorn Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Wrentit, California Towhee, and Lark and Fox Sparrow. Lark Sparrow can often be located here during breeding season and nesting has been confirmed.

O'Brien     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 D-3   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 E-5                   geographic coordinates 42 04’ 01” N   123 42’ 11” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  This area is on the map because of a one time sighting of California Thrasher.  Located just 5 miles north of the California border on Hwy 199, the O'Brien area offers many side roads that allow access to National Forest Land.  From O'Brien, travel west on Lone Mt. Road for one mile and the road forks.  Go right (north) on Muddy Flats Road (paved) and travel for 1 mile.  Turn left for a short distance and return south  to Muddy Flats Road to make a quick, low elevation forest loop.  Return to the fork in the road and take the left fork (Lone Mt. Road) which takes you to higher country while following the west fork of the Illinois River (Set your odometer at the fork.  The California border is 8.3 miles away).   Expect many of the same species listed in other locations but keep that thrasher in mind.  Who knows, maybe you will be the one to find a California Thrasher or a Nuttail's Woodpecker in this region.

Oregon Caves - Bigelow Lakes    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 D-6   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 67 D-8                    geographic coordinates 42 05’ 22” N   123 22’ 16” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From Cave Junction, simply follow Hwy 46 to the end at Oregon Caves National Monument, 24 miles away, climbing 2700 ft. to the parking lot and Chateau at 4000 ft. elevation. Oregon Caves Website   Birds here might include Sooty Grouse, Mountain Quail, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter Wren, Varied Thrush, Townsend's Warbler, Western Tanager, Dark-eyed Junco, Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrow.  This is one of the few places in Josephine County where Gray Jays can easily be found.  Northern Goshawk, Calliope Hummingbird, White-headed Woodpecker, and Rock Wren have also been located here.  The Oregon Caves area probably has the greatest diversity of owl species in Josephine County with Long-eared, Great Horned, Barred, Spotted, Western Screech, Flammulated, Northern Pygmy and Northern Saw-whet Owls present.

Wolf Creek Area   return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66                                  geographic coordinates 42 41’ 45” N   123 23’ 44” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From Grants Pass, go north on Interstate 5 to Wolf Creek (exit 76). Wolf Creek Park is located at the end of Main Street.  County Park Website.  Wolf Creek itself is not partcularly birdy (although it is famous for producing an Ovenbird once.  The park is worth checking out but the main attraction is Lower Wolf Creek Road which takes you through a nice forested area.  Timber of varying ages can produce the normal forest species like grouse, finches, and nuthatches.

Coyote Creek Wetlands     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 27 C-6   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 C-3                      geographic coordinates 42 40’ 56” N   123 19’ 48” W

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Southwest Oregon Resource Conservation & Development Council Report 

Location, Habitat and Birds:  From Grants Pass, travel 18 miles north on I-5 to Wolf Creek and take exit 76.  At the end of the off ramp, turn right and follow Coyote Creek Road for about four miles to Golden. Look for the old church on the left and the parking area for the Golden Wetlands trailhead on the right.

King Mountain     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 27 C-5   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 C-4                   geographic coordinates 42 41’ 30” N   123 13’ 50” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  King Mountain is in the very NE corner of the county and is over 5000 ft tall so winter access is not recommended.  When you reach the top, everything to the east is Jackson County.  Douglas County is only 1 mile north of there.  To access King Mountain, one should have a Medford District BLM map and back-road navigating skills.  There are many forest road intersections on the routes to King Mountain.  Two approaches can be used.  One approach is to follow directions to Coyote Creek Wetlands (in preceding section) up Coyote Creek Road and continue past Coyote Creek Wetlands using the Medford BLM Transportation Map to reach King Mountain.  The other approach is to leave I-5 one exit North of the Wolf Creek exit at the Speaker Exit 78.  Go west up Speaker Road (which follows Wolf Creek) and continue past Speaker up Bummer Gulch to King Mountain using the Medford District Transportation Map.  Some of thebirds you might see on the mountain are Sooty Grouse, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Townsend's Solitaire, Wrentit, Fox Sparrow, and Red Crossbill.  Cassin’s finch have been observed here multiple times and Green-Tailed Towhee can be found during breeding season.

Almeda Park      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 26 D-4    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 D-1                     geographic coordinates 42 36’ 20” N   123 34’ 55” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From I-5 north of Grants Pass, take exit 61 and travel west on Merlin Galice Road.  Take this road 19 miles to the park.  Almeda Park  Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Possibilities include gulls, herons, shorebirds, owls, hawks, swallows, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, corvids, blackbirds, warblers, sparrows, and finches.

Hellgate Canyon     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 27 D-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-2               geographic coordinates 42 32’ 27” N   123 30’ 04” W

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 Recreation Area Hellgate Brochure 

Location:    From Merlin, take Galice Rd. 5.0 miles to a gravel pullout on the right, 0.3 miles past the Hog Creek river access area.  There is a sign here that says "Galice-Hellgate - National Back Country Byway".   Bird this area thoroughly.  Next, travel 0.9 miles farther west, past the Hellgate Canyon Overlook, and look for a power line access road on the right.  This area can be walked and is pretty birdy.  Another 0.3 miles west, a wide parking area just before the Hellgate bridge is good, as is Stratton Creek Rd. on the north side of the highway at the bridge.

Habitat and Birds: Steep, rocky cliffs border the Rogue River along this route.  River sand flats and calm pools can harbor water birds.  Mixed conifers and hardwoods are joined by oak savannah and oak woodlands along the way.  Some birds you might see along this route are Double-crested Cormorant, Common Merganser, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Wild Turkey, Mountain Quail, Spotted Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon, N. Pygmy-Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Western Wood-Pewee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, American Dipper, both kinglets, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, Western Bluebird, Wrentit, 7-8 species of warbler including Hermit, California Towhee, and Lesser Goldfinch.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Indian Mary County Park      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 26 D-4    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-1                 geographic coordinates 42 33’ 04” N   123 32’ 25” W

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County Park Website

Location, Habitat and Birds:  Take I-5 exit 61 to Merlin-Galice Road.  Take Merlin-Galice for 11 miles to the park (right after crossing the river at the Hellgate Bridge).  This wonderful little park can produce Common Merganser among other waterfowl, Spotted Sandpiper, Western Tanager, migrating passerines, and three species of vireo. 

Galice To Grave Creek      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 26 D-4     DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-1                        geographic coordinates 42 34’ 11” N   123 35’ 48” W

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Location:  North of Grants Pass, take exit 61 to Merlin Road.  Travel west on the Merlin-Galice Road for 15.4 miles to the Galice Store.  Grave Creek Bridge is 7.2 miles north of Galice along the Galice Road.  The road follows the Rogue River. 

Habitat and Birds:  Mixed conifers and mountain riparian areas.  During a recent survey, 85 species were noted along this stretch of road over a 12 month period.  Those species included Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Steller's Jay, Cassin's Vireo, Black-throated Gray Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Western Tanager, Osprey, and Violet-green Swallow.  Surprises included Wild Turkey, California Quail, and Townsend's Warbler.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Horse Creek Meadow Wildlife Area     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 29 A-5   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 62 A-2                    geographic coordinates 42 27’ 00” N   123 40’ 15” W

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Location  (All distances are estimates on this route) From the center of Grants Pass (Where 199, 99, and 238 converge), take Hwy 199 (Redwood Hwy) SW for just under 7 miles to Riverbank Road.  Go right (north) on Riverbank road and travel 5.5 miles to Forest Road 2706.  Turn left (west) on 2706 and travel for 7.8 miles to Forest Road 2509.  Turn right (north) on 2509 and travel .7 miles to a fork.  Stay on 2509 by turning left.  Travel another 2.3 miles and the road forks again.  Stay on 2509 by turning right and traveling 1.3 miles to Forest Road 121.  Turn left (west) on 121 (Horse Creek Road) and travel 2 miles to the meadow. 

Habitat and Birds:  Horse Creek Meadow Website  The Institute For Bird Populations has a banding station here and this location is usually one of the most productive in the whole state.  The species diversity here is rivaled by no other test location.

Griffin Park      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-2     g                    eographic coordinates 42 27’ 49” N   123 29’ 10” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From Grants Pass (I-5 exit 55), take Hwy 199 SW for about 7 miles to Riverbanks Road (just past the bridge over the Applegate River).  Take this road for 6 miles and turn right on Griffin Park Road and the park entrance will appear shortly. Griffin Park Website  Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Possibilities include gulls, herons, shorebirds, owls, hawks, swallows, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, corvids, blackbirds, warblers, sparrows, and finches.

Shan Creek to Onion Mountain      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 A-4    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-1                      geographic coordinates 42 27’ 07” N   123 30’ 04” W

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Location:  North of Grants Pass, take I-5 exit 61 to Merlin Road.  Travel west on Merlin for 3.7 miles to Robertson Bridge Road.  Turn left (southwest) and go to the end of Robertson Bridge Road (about 3.3 miles).  Turn right (west) on Lower River Road.  Take Lower River for 0.5 miles to Riverbanks Road (turn left just after you cross the Robertson Bridge).  Go south  for 3.8 miles to Shan Creek Road (this is FR 2706).  Turn right (west) on Shan Creek and go about 8.2 miles.  Turn right on 2509 to Onion Mountain.

Habitat and Birds:  Mixed conifer forest and riparian wetlands can be found here.  Mountain Quail, Acorn Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Nashville Warbler, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hermit Thrush, Bewick's Wren, Mountain Chickadee, and Townsend Solitaire can all be found in the forested areas.  In the brushy areas look for Wrentit, Dusky Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Fox Sparrow.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Whitehorse County Park    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-2                     geographic coordinates 42 26’ 15” N   123 27’ 26” W

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Location:  From I-5 in Grants Pass, take exit 58.  Take 6th Street south to G Street in central Grants Pass.  Take G Street west where it will become Upper River Road.  Follow Upper River Road for another 6.1 miles to the park.  Whitehorse County Park Website. 

Habitat and Birds:  This is a very popular birding area.  A quick look at the bird list there explains why.  Common species include Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Virginia Rail, Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Great Horned Owl, Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, 6 species of woodpecker, 8 species of flycatcher, Cassin's & Hutton's Vireo, swallows, nuthatches, creeper, wrens, thrushes, American Pipit, warblers, and finches.  Greater White-fronted Geese and Eurasian Wigeon have been found here as have Tundra Swan, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Sandhill Crane, Semipalmated Plover, peeps, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Caspian Tern, Band-tailed Pigeon, Western Screech-Owl, Common Nighthawk, Mountain Chickadee, Nashville Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Lark Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Cassin's Finch, And Evening Grosbeak.  Now that's a bird list!!!!  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Schroeder Park     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-3                   geographic coordinates 42 26’ 10” N   123 22’ 35” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From I-5 exit 55, take Hwy 199 SW for five miles to Willow Lane.  Turn right (north) and travel 2.3 miles to the park.   Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Possibilities include gulls, herons, shorebirds, owls, hawks, swallows, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, corvids, blackbirds, warblers, sparrows, and finches.

Merlin Rest Area (AKA Manzanita Rest Area)     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-3                  geographic coordinates 42 31’ 04” N   123 21’ 46” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  This is a very famous area that many use to get their annual Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, California Towhee, and Oak Titmouse exposures.  It's right off the freeway and offers relatively easy access.  The Merlin Rest Area is located off I-5 about 1.5 miles north of exit 61 just about 5 miles north of Grants Pass.  Accessing the west side rest area from the north (southbound lane) is pretty straightforward.  Just take the exit and follow the signs to the rest area.  The east side of the freeway offers better birding but there is no way across from the west.  You will have to re-enter I-5, go down to exit 61, and come back north to access the rest area on the east side.  Walk this whole area birding the trees and bushes.  Besides the "Big 3" mentioned earlier, other species present might include Lesser Goldfinch, Acorn Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Lazuli Bunting. 

Granite Hill Road     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 E-4                   geographic coordinates 42 29’ 14” N   123 19’ 47” W

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Location:  North of Grants Pass, take exit 61.  Go east to the intersection of Merlin and Frontage Roads (some maps call this road Highland).  Turn Right and go 0.2 miles to Donaldson Road.  Turn left and go east for 1.9 miles to Granite Hill Road.  Turn left on Granite Hill and go north for 2.6 miles Granite Hill intersects with Winona Road at this point.  Go right and continue on Granite Hill Road for another 2.4 miles (the road becomes BLM road 35-5-21 and then 35-5-26.  There is a private road just beyond BLM road 35-5-26.2.  Turn left here You get back on BLM land after .3 miles and the road dead-ends 3.9 miles from the last intersection.

Habitat and Birds:  This is mostly mixed conifer forest with some riparian wetlands.  Birds found here include Mountain Quail, Hutton's Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hermit Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, and Band-tailed Pigeon along with the more mundane standard forest fare.  Interesting sightings have included Northern Pygmy-Owl, Townsend's Warbler, Red Crossbill, and Northern Saw-whet Owl.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Grants Pass    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-3                 geographic coordinates 42 26’ 26” N   123 19’ 33” W

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City Information 

City Parks

Location, Habitat and Birds:  Grants Pass is located 138 miles south of Eugene and 30 miles NW of Medford.  I-5 runs by the eastern edge of the city.  The main I-5 exits are 55 and 58.  A favored location within the city limits is Riverside Park.  Riverside Park:  From downtown Grants Pass, follow 6th St. south until you cross the Rogue River on Caveman Bridge.  Turn left into the park entrance immediately after crossing the bridge.   Alternately, from I-5 exit 55, follow Hwy 199 toward Crescent City for 2 miles.  Just after you cross the Rogue River bridge, turn right on Park St., go 0.3 miles, and turn right on Vista Dr.  This park offers a convenient site to check the river for waterfowl, gulls, and songbirds in the riverside trees.  Birds you might find in Grants Pass include Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Spotted Sandpiper, Anna's Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Wrentit, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Siskin, and Lesser Goldfinch.   Rarities seen in the past include the state's only record of Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Indigo Bunting, Costa's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, and Swamp Sparrow.

Tom Pearce Park      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-4                   geographic coordinates 42 25’ 57” N   123 16’ 18” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  This is Josephine County's largest day use park.  From I-5 exit 55 go west and quickly turn left (south) on Agness Street.  Take Agness for 2 blocks and turn left (east) on Foothill Road.  Turn right onto Pearce Park Rd. in about a mile, just before passing under the freeway.  Take Pearce Park Rd. for a mile to the park entrance.  The parkdoesn't open until 8:00 AM so early birds can park across the railroad tracks in a small gravel lot and walk into the park.  Tom Pearce Park Website    Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Common birds here include Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, California Quail, Spotted Sandpiper, Vaux's Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Dipper, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, both kinglets (this is a great location to spend some time comparing Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Hutton's Vireos), Varied Thrush, Wrentit, Orange-crowned Warbler, California Towhee, Purple Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Pierce Riffle Park     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 60 F-4                  geographic coordinates 42 25’ 32” N   123 14’ 36” W

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Location:  From I-5 in Grants Pass, take exit 55 and travel west.  Just after exiting, get in the left lane and look for a left turn on Agness Avenue.  Go about 0.2 miles on Agness and turn left on Foothill Blvd.  Go 2.8 miles (under the freeway twice) to Averill Road.  Turn right and travel 0.7 miles to the park.

Habitat and Birds:  Mixed Conifer, grassland, and riparian wetlands are joined by some open water habitat.  Common birds at this location include Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Osprey, Spotted Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Vaux's Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Hutton's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Violet-green Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Bushtit, Red & White-breasted Nuthatch, both kinglets, Western Bluebird, Wrentit, Orange-crowned & Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, and House Finch.  A little less common but possible are Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Virginia Rail, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, Pine Siskin, and Red Crossbill.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Cathedral Hills Park and Hiking Trails    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 A-6    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 67 A-8                  geographic coordinates 42 24’ 10” N   123 19’ 50” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds: From downtown Grants Pass, follow 6th Street south until it becomes Hwy 238 (Williams Highway) at the intersection with Hwy 199.  From here, travel 2.8 miles south and turn left on Espey Road.  Stay to the left, following Espey 0.5 miles to the parking area at the end.  A series of trails winds all over this forested hill.  Trail Maps. 

Fish Hatchery Park and Trail     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 B-5    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 67 A-8                  geographic coordinates 42 21’ 28” N   123 24’ 46” W

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Location:  Take I-5 exit 55 on the south end of Grants Pass.  Take the Grants Pass Parkway (Hwy 199) 2 miles south on 199 for 2.2 miles to Hwy 238 (Williams Hwy).  Turn south onto 238 and go 1.6 miles to New Hope Road.  Turn right and go about 3.3 miles to Fish Hatchery Road.  Take Fish Hatchery west for 1.9 miles to Wetherbee Drive.  Turn right and go 0.7 miles to the park. Fish Hatchery Park Website 

Habitat and Birds:    Open water, riparian areas, grassland, ceanothus-manzanita brush, oak savannah, oak woodland, and mixed conifer forests can be found at this location.  Like most of the local "river parks" this one can be good for migrating birds in the spring and fall and waterfowl associated with the river.  Check the large trees in the park and the riverfront areas for birds attracted to the river.  Possibilities include Great Egret, Green Heron, Wood Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded and Common Mergansers, Red-shouldered Hawk, Mountain Quail, Band-tailed Pigeon, Great Horned Owl, Vaux's Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Lewis's Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Clark's Nutcracker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Wrentit, Nashville Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, California Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, and Evening Grosbeak.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Selma Area      return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 B-4   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 B-5                    geographic coordinates 42 16’ 45” N   123 36’ 57” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Selma is on Hwy 199 nine miles north of Cave Junction and about 20 miles SW of downtown Grants Pass.  Once you reach this area, you can take Deer Cr. Road or you can go west on Illinois River Road.  Deer Creek Road follows Deer Creek to its junction with the Illinois River and then follows the river for many miles.  NFD 4105 branches off of the Illinois River Road (7 miles from Selma) and this road provides good access to forest land.  Selma, and the surrounding farmland, can be somewhat productive.  California Quail and Yellow-breasted Chat can be found here.  A trip to the Illinois River could bring Yellow-breasted Chat, Great-blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Downy Woodpecker, Willow and Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, swallows, migrant warblers, and Bullock's Oriole.  One of the better places to bird on Illinois River Road is the Deer Creek Center run by Siskiyou Field Institute  which is dedicated to environmental and outdoor education.  A great variety of habitats are on the over 800 acre ranch.  A wide variety of birds has been listed including Golden Eagle, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and documented nesting of Red-shouldered Hawks.  Ask at the headquarters for permission to bird.  I recommend calling ahead if you're going to make an early morning visit, to avoid bothering the caretaker who lives on the property. 

Lake Selmac    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-4   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 67 B-6                  geographic coordinates 42 15’ 40” N   123 34’ 49” W 

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Lake Selmac is located about just east of the town of Selma.  From Grants Pass, travel SW on 199 for 22 miles to the town of Selma.  Continue 0.6 miles past Selma and turn left (east) on Lakeshore Drive.  Take Lakeshore for about 2 miles to the lake.  Reeves Creek Rd. branches off of Lakeshore just before the lake.  Reeves Creek can be used to access the west side of the lake.  There are rest areas on the south end of the lake on both the Lakeshore Dr. side and the Reeves Creek side.  Check out the mouth of  McMullin Creek on the SE corner of the lake for a good migrant area. Lake Selmac is the largest body of water in Josephine Co., and the best bet for wayward coastal species, as well as occasional Greater Scaup, grebes, loons, etc.  Lake Selmac Website. 

Lake Selmac Map .  Birds in this area have included Mute Swan, Wood Duck, N. Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Common and Pacific Loon, Pied-billed, Western Grebe, Double-Crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Green Heron, Bald Eagle (a pair nests here), Osprey, Caspian Tern, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Hermit Warbler, and Dark-eyed Junco.  Josephine County rarities including Redhead, Common Goldeneye, Pacific Loon, Red-Necked Grebe, Common Tern, Dunlin and Sage Thrasher have shown up here.

Eight Dollar Mountain     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 B-3   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 B-5                  geographic coordinates 42 15’ 28” N   123 39’ 42” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Eight Dollar Mountain is a 4000 ft prominence found about five miles north of Cave Junction. Access to the mountain itself is difficult but the road around the base allows for some good birding.  To reach this road, take Hwy 199 SW for 26 miles to Eight Dollar Road (8 Dollar Rd.).  Turn right (west) and take this road as it meanders around the base of the mountain.  The following is a list of birds recorded from Eight Dollar Road: Common Merganser, Sooty Grouse, Osprey, Band-tailed Pigeon, Acorn Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hutton's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Wrentit, Cedar Waxwing, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Lazuli Bunting.

Kalmiopsis Wilderness     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-2    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66  B-3                 geographiccoordinates 42 16’ 56” N   123 57’ 47” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:   Wilderness Website    Directions to several hiking trails in the wilderness .  This area is very under-birded and the variety of birds is not well known.  How about taking a good trip to the wilderness and letting us know what you see?  Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon (several eyries), Northern Spotted Owl, Black-Backed Woodpecker, Mountain Bluebird and Green-tailed Towhee are just a few of many interesting birds found in this large area.  In 2002, the giant Biscuit Forest Fire burned through much of the Kalmiopsis, creating large patches of snag forest and, in other ways, dramatically changing the landscape.  Some trails are in disrepair.  The Babyfoot Lake trailhead can be found 17 miles up Eight Dollar Mountain Road, which becomes NF 4201, but there are other access points and many miles of trails through this vast and varied tract of SW Oregon.

Pacifica Botanical Garden    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 C-6    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 B-9                  geographic coordinates 42 16’ 10” N   123 16’ 12” W  

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Pacifica Botanical Garden Website 

Location, Habitat and Birds:  Travel south out of Grants Pass on Hwy 238 for about 12 miles and look for Watergap Road on the right immediately after a big, sweeping left turn in 238.  Take Watergap for about 2.2 miles and look for a green and white "Pacifica" sign after a wooded area.  This area has open water, riparian areas, grasslands, oak savannah and woodlands, and mixed conifer forest.  Good birds seen in this area include Bufflehead, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Wilson's Snipe, Barn Owl, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Steller's Jay, Violet-green Swallow, Mt. Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, California Towhee, Wrentit, Savannah Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Lesser Goldfinch.  Other birds seen here on occasion (but probably not to be expected) include Clark's Grebe, Green Heron, Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Mountain Quail, Lesser Yellowlegs, Barn Owl, Vaux's Swift, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Pygmy Nuthatch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Pipit, Wrentit, Yellow-breasted Chat, Townsend's Warbler, Hermit Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, and Evening Grosbeak.  Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.

Kerby     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-3   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 C-5                   geographic coordinates 42 11’ 40” N   123 39’ 00” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Located just a mile north of Cave Junction on Hwy 199, this little berg can offer some good birds.  This area is bordered by the Illinois River to the west so birds using the river often spill into this community.  A large brushy area along the river can be accessed from the west end of 6th street, and is very birdy.  A one mile trip west on Finch Rd. is also worthwhile, as the fields, drainage ditches, and wooded edges on the other side of the Illinois River tend to be very birdy.  And don't miss the agricultural fields of Sauer's Flat, just north of town on Hwy 199.  A Tufted Duck was once seen here but more common species might include Common Merganser, Osprey, Northern Harrier, White-tailed Kite, Band-tailed Pigeon, Acorn Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Wrentit, California Towhee, and Lark Sparrow.

Cave Junction    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-3   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 C-5                  geographic coordinates 42 10’ 02” N   123 38’ 46” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  Cave Junction is located 30 miles SW of Grants Pass on Hwy 199.  Take I-5 exit 55 to 199 and travel west for 30 miles.  Many of the same birds seen in Grants Pass can  be found in Cave Junction, although Oak Titmouse and Gray Gnatcatcher tend to be much harder to come by, and some of the more forest-associated species such as Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-breasted Nuthatch are easier to find. The water treatment plant (at the end of N. Sawyer Avenue off W. River Street) has a good selection of birds, is a dependable site for many duck species, Virginia Rail, Black Phoebe, Marsh Wren and, in season, Common Yellowthroat.  It has hosted such Josephine County rarities as Tufted Duck, Solitary Sandpiper, Red-Necked & Wilson’s Phalarope, Forster’s & Black Tern and Bank Swallow.  Workers may let birders onto the grounds when the plant is open.

Illinois River Forks State Park    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 C-3    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 D-5                 geographic coordinates 42 09’ 31” N   123 39’ 16” W

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 Park Website  

Location, Habitat and Birds:  This free day-use park is located just one mile south of Cave Junction on Hwy 199.  Take the first right after crossing the Illinois River bridge and follow the signs.  It gets crowded during warm summer months.  Birds here include Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-breasted Chat, Great-blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Downy Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher,  Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, Tree and Violet-green Swallows, Yellow Warbler, and Bullock's Oriole.

Rough and Ready Creek Botanical Wayside    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 D-3    DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 D-5                 geographic coordinates 42 05’ 42” N   123 40’ 56” W

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Park Website   

Location, Habitat and Birds:  Rough and Ready Botanical State Park Wayside is located about 4.5 miles south of Cave Junction, along highway 199. The parking area is on the west side of the highway, just past milepost 34 and just before the bridge over Rough and Ready Creek. Parking is available on the west side of the highway. The pull-out features a trailhead, a covered picnic table and a kiosk with botanical interpretation. There is a 0.75 mile trail that leads across the gravelly plain and up to the edge of the wooded hills. This area provides some habitat not seen in the rest of the county. With a plant community that looks like it was shipped in from eastern Oregon, this park can attract an interesting mix of birds. Some of the species reported from here include Bufflehead, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Pileated and Acorn Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Wrentit, California Towhee, and Lark and Fox Sparrow. Lark Sparrow can often be located here during breeding season and nesting has been confirmed.

O'Brien     return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 18 D-3   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 66 E-5                   geographic coordinates 42 04’ 01” N   123 42’ 11” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  This area is on the map because of a one time sighting of California Thrasher.  Located just 5 miles north of the California border on Hwy 199, the O'Brien area offers many side roads that allow access to National Forest Land.  From O'Brien, travel west on Lone Mt. Road for one mile and the road forks.  Go right (north) on Muddy Flats Road (paved) and travel for 1 mile.  Turn left for a short distance and return south  to Muddy Flats Road to make a quick, low elevation forest loop.  Return to the fork in the road and take the left fork (Lone Mt. Road) which takes you to higher country while following the west fork of the Illinois River (Set your odometer at the fork.  The California border is 8.3 miles away).   Expect many of the same species listed in other locations but keep that thrasher in mind.  Who knows, maybe you will be the one to find a California Thrasher or a Nuttail's Woodpecker in this region.

Oregon Caves - Bigelow Lakes    return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001)  Pg 19 D-6   DeLorme (copyright 2008)  Pg 67 D-8                    geographic coordinates 42 05’ 22” N   123 22’ 16” W

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Location, Habitat and Birds:  From Cave Junction, simply follow Hwy 46 to the end at Oregon Caves National Monument, 24 miles away, climbing 2700 ft. to the parking lot and Chateau at 4000 ft. elevation. Oregon Caves Website   Birds here might include Sooty Grouse, Mountain Quail, Pileated Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter Wren, Varied Thrush, Townsend's Warbler, Western Tanager, Dark-eyed Junco, Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrow.  This is one of the few places in Josephine County where Gray Jays can easily be found.  Northern Goshawk, Calliope Hummingbird, White-headed Woodpecker, and Rock Wren have also been located here.  The Oregon Caves area probably has the greatest diversity of owl species in Josephine County with Long-eared, Great Horned, Barred, Spotted, Western Screech, Flammulated, Northern Pygmy and Northern Saw-whet Owls present.