The Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex, stretching from the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge to the north and the Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge to the south, provides more than 200,000 acres of habitat.
The basin is home to the largest concentration of wintering Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states – typically numbering 500 to 700 eagles each year. Colder weather brings flocks of waterfowl through the area and many stay for the winter. In addition, water is flooded onto fields driving out rodents. As a result the smorgasbord is open for bald eagles, golden eagles, hawks and raptors of all kinds.
A popular attraction is the “Bear Valley Fly Out.” The 4,200-acre Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge is really a mountain, covered with old growth pine and fir forests. Several pairs of bald eagles nest there and as many as 300 have been counted roosting there in one night.
Every winter, the Klamath Basin hosts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the continental U.S., according to the Klamath Basin Audubon Society. The birds tend to hang around between late November and early March, with the largest numbers showing up in January and February.