Also known as the Goose Creek Range, this small isolated mountain range south of Twin Falls forms the southern edge of the Magic Valley. Idaho’s only Global Important Bird Area.  This ‘Sky Island’ is often the first forest birds see after crossing the deserts of Nevada on their northbound migration; and the last they will see when headed south again in the fall. A varied and diverse habitat supports hundreds of species of birds including Idaho’s only endemic species: the Cassia Crossbill.

Plan at least a full day to explore this area. The highlight of this region is the Cassia Crossbill, an endemic form of the Red Crossbill; look amongst lodgepole pines above the Shoshone Basin area for them. Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir can provide some interesting waterbirds during migration. The South Hills have nesting Northern Goshawk. In spring, Sharp-tailed and Greater Sage-Grouse leks can be viewed. Visit Brockman’s hummingbird feeding station (May-Sept.) barely above the sagebrush flats as you go along Shoshone Basin up to the lodgepoles. Hundreds of migrating hummingbirds in the fall can be observed there at very close range, including four of Idaho’s five regularly occurring hummingbirds. This area is also fantastic for owls. Common Poorwill and Common Nighthawks are easily found in the summer months.

DIRECTIONS: I-84 Exit #182, SW on US 30; (S) on Rock Ck Rd (3800 E) (G3); zero odometer; at mi 7.1, 15.4, 17 and 21 are pull-outs for birding; mi 28, pavement ends; park here at Diamondfield Jack; Dec-June, backtrack to Hansen; July-Nov, backtrack 1.3 mi and turn L (NW) on Rogerson Rd (FR 500); zero odometer; go 8 mi to Shoshone Basin Wildlife Ponds on N side of rd; mi 9 stop at Brockman’s Hummingbird Feeding Station (banding in summer); mi 20.3 L (W) at corrals; mi 25.3 is US 93; head N to Twin Falls or S and W to Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir. Get USFS and BLM travel maps.