Wildlife
The wildlife of the Klamath Drainage District
Landowners take as much pride in the wildlife in their fields as they do in the fields themselves.
Why KDD
Farming that feeds wildlife
Before the railroad cut it off, Lower Klamath Lake filled with high winter water from the Klamath River, creating a vast sea of tules and wetlands. KDD landowners mimic that natural cycle by flooding their fields in fall and winter.
That flooding saturates the former lakebed soil to reduce summer irrigation needs, and it creates thousands of acres of shallow, open-water habitat right when migrating birds need it most.
50+
Bird species recorded using district pastures
10 of 12
Months of the year flooded pastures support waterfowl
Source: SRI/SHAPIRO/AGCO independent biological survey of KDD lands.
Who lives here
From the Pacific Flyway to the ditch banks
Birds of the flyway
Ducks, geese, swans and sandhill cranes rest and refuel in flooded fields each spring and feast on grain left after harvest each fall.
Raptors
The basin supports the largest wintering population of bald eagles in the continental United States. Eagles from the Bear Valley roost hunt KDD fields, and owls nest in hay sheds.
Canals and ditches
Muskrats, frogs, Western pond turtles, snails and the occasional otter make the district’s waterways home, feeding herons, egrets and more.
Mammals
Deer graze beside cattle and sheep, coyotes and badgers hunt rodents, and patrons have spotted pronghorn, elk, bobcats, cougars and even a black bear.
Gallery
Seen in KDD
Eagle watching tips
When and where to look
- Best time: early January through the first week of February, when landowners are winter flooding
- Best places: along Township Road, Stateline Road and Lower Klamath Lake Road