From resident and migrating songbirds to shorebirds, waterfowl and rare gulls, Lake Lowell, with it’s wooded shorelines, and surrounding farmlands can produce almost anything. Located just outside of Nampa, it is easily accessed from the Boise area.

Large numbers of shorebirds appear in Aug. when low water levels expose mudflats. Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Western Grebe, and Wood Duck are numerous from Sept.-Dec. on the lake and in the planted refuge fields. Visiting fall/winter raptors include Bald Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, and Rough-legged Hawks, and Prairie and Peregrine Falcons. April-May watch for migrating grebes, Double-crested Cormorant, Caspian Tern, Sora, Virginia Rail, and Great Horned, Northern Saw-whet, Western Screech-, Long-eared, and Barn Owls. Directions for a local birding route around the lake can be obtained at the visitor center.

In southwest Idaho’s Treasure Valley, surrounded by suburban homes and farmlands, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge provides refuge for both wildlife and people. The refuge protects the Lake Lowell Unit and the Snake River Islands Unit to provide oases for resident and migratory wildlife, including spectacular concentrations of mallards and Canada geese. The refuge also provides a place for people to slow down, relax and unwind. Stop by and enjoy an adventure for your experience level on your public lands!

The Lake Lowell Unit protects nesting colonies of western and Clark’s grebes and spectacular migratory and wintering concentrations of mallards and Canada geese. The Snake River Islands Unit provides important nesting habitat for ducks, geese, songbirds, herons, egrets and more. 

DIRECTIONS: I-84 Exit #33A (W-bound) or Exit #33 (E-bound); W on ID 55/Karcher Rd for 3.5 mi to Lake Ave; L onto Lake Ave for 2.5 mi to stop sign at Roosevelt Ave; R onto Roosevelt Ave; at Indiana Ave at the top of the hill, L into refuge; follow rd to visitor center.