Pelton Dam and Reregulation Dam Overlook

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Seasons

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Location

Deep Water, Mud Flats, and Agricultural Fields.

From Warm Springs, travel south on Hwy 97 for 2.6 miles. Turn right (west) on NW Pelton Dam Road. Slow and bird the ponds here. Continue about 0.5 miles to Dizney Lane. Turn right (west) on Dizney and bird to the end. There is a parking area here and a rest room. The viewing area is toward the canyon edge on a good trail (<50 yards). Return to Pelton Dam Road and continue south to Pelton Dam, Lake Simtustus and Pelton Park. Continue a short distance more and you will come to a switchback in the road where Willow Creek comes into Lake Simtustus. This area is very birdy.

Amenities: Birding! Dry Creek Recreation Area provides opportunities for camping and photography. The Warm Springs Museum is a must see and a great place to have a picnic.

Directions

Habitat and Birds

Pelton Dam is a large water area surrounded by riparian woodland with some mud flats. It holds much wildfowl in season. The surrounding area holds Mountain Quail and Chukar. In the summer Great Blue Herons nest and there is an impressive Turkey Vulture roost. In winter there are always large sparrow flocks near the car park.

Pelton Dam Regulation Overlook is a smaller dam with shallow water. This is often the best place to find shorebirds in the county but a scope is required.  Good waterfowl here most of the year too.

Key Species: Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, California Quail, Western Screech-owl, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow and Yellow-breasted Chat.

Exceptional Species: Red-necked Grebe, Eurasian Wigeon, Green Heron, Ross’s Goose, Black Tern, Band-tailed Pigeon, Eastern Kingbird, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, White-throated Sparrow and Black-throated Sparrow.

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