Tou Velle State Park/Denman Wildlife Management Area
Seasons
Checklists
Location
From I-5 north of Medford, take the Central Point exit (exit 33) and turn east on Biddle Road (some maps show this street as Pine Street initially). Go one mile to Table Rock Road and turn left (north). Go 4.2 miles to the park turnoff which is just short of the Rogue River. Hike or drive east through the park which becomes the Denman Wildlife Area on the east end. You can also cross the Rogue River and park just after the bridge to explore more areas. There is great birding in Denman at various spots along E. Gregory Road with many ponds near the park headquarters.
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
The Denman Area is very marshy and provides the birder with a small glimpse of what was once a much more extensive marshy region in the Rogue Valley. The river provides open water habitat and oak scrubland is common along the river. Common birds seen in this area include Great Egret, Green Heron, Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Osprey, White-tailed Kite (one of the better Jackson County locations for this species), Northern Harrier, Virginia Rail, Greater Yellowlegs, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick’s Wren, Wrentit, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager, California Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln Sparrow, and Lesser Goldfinch. More unusual sightings have included Black-crowned Night-heron, Ross’s Goose, Tundra Swan, Cinnamon Teal, Red-shouldered Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Sora (winter), Common Nighthawk, Say’s Phoebe, Cliff Swallow, Bluegray Gnatcatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, American Tree Sparrow (rare county bird), Lazuli Bunting, and Pine Siskin. Common Grackle was found here in 1994 and a Common Moorhen was here in 1982. Source: OFO Publication No. 19, Guide to Birds of the Rogue Valley, Massey & Vroman.
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