Birding at Evergreen Lake

Birding is defined as the observation of birds in their natural habitat as a hobby, and “birder” is the name for individuals who enjoy this hobby in all of its many forms. If you are into Birding, then Evergreen Lake can be an amazing place to view 162+ bird species depending on the time of year.  Some birds live here year round while others can only be spotted as they are migrating through the Evergreen area.  Located on the West side of the lake near the lake house is a checklist of bird sightings that will give you the most current information.

In the last 9 years 162 species have been seen at Evergreen Lake and some of the surrounding area. This below list of 64 bird species represent the birds that have been seen every year since 2004.  Some of them have been seen only in migration or in small numbers but they have been seen every year.

The Evergreen Audubon Society is very active and they track the different types of birds seen in the Evergreen area.  If you want to get more involved with Birding, I encourage you to visit the Evergreen Audubon Society website.  Get local updates sent directly to you by subscribing to the EvergreenBirders Email Listserv.  Contact Administrator, Kathy Madison. to subscribe.

Evergreen Audubon was founded first as the Evergreen Naturalists, Inc. in 1968 for the purpose of conserving and protecting the natural environment, and informing the community about the natural environment. Later, In 1978, it became a chapter of the National Audubon Society. The Evergreen Nature Center was opened in the warming hut on Evergreen Lake.

Hunting Great Blue Herons wade slowly or stand statue-like, stalking fish and other prey in shallow water or open fields. Watch for the lightning-fast thrust of the neck and head as they stab with their strong bills. Look for Great Blue Herons in saltwater and freshwater habitats, from open coasts, marshes, sloughs, riverbanks, and lakes to backyard goldfish ponds. They also forage in grasslands and agricultural fields.

The Double Breasted Cormorant is a very popular bird that you are sure to see when visiting Evergreen Lake.  They are fun to watch as they hover over the water and quickly dive into the water to surface with a fish in their mouth.

The Red Winged Blackbird is also a common bird to see at Evergreen Lake.   Male Red-winged Blackbirds are hard to mistake. They’re an even glossy black with red-and-yellow shoulder badges. Females are crisply streaked and dark brownish overall, paler on the breast and often show a whitish eyebrow.   Look for Red-winged Blackbirds in fresh and saltwater marshes, along watercourses, water hazards on golf courses, and wet roadsides, as well as drier meadows and old fields. In winter, you can find them at crop fields, feedlots, and pastures.

Yellow Warblers are uniformly yellow birds. Males are a bright, egg-yolk yellow with reddish streaks on the underparts. Both sexes flash yellow patches in the tail. The face is unmarked, accentuating the large black eye.  Look for Yellow Warblers near the tops of tall shrubs and small trees.  Yellow Warblers breed in shrubby thickets and woods, particularly along watercourses and in wetlands. In Winter they migrate to South America.

The Bald Eagle has been spotted on a regular basis during the Summer Months at Evergreen Lake. They often perch high up in a tree on the North side of the lake trail by the road that shoulders the lake.  What a privilege it is to have this amazing bird in our community.

64 Most Commonly Found Birds at Evergreen Lake

2018 Birding Challenge

In 2016, we launched the Bear Creek Watershed Birding Challenge to mark the 100th birthday of the Migratory Bird Treaty between the United States and Canada. Continuing into 2017, we now have 15 Evergreen Audubon members who have joined the “Challenge Club”.

International Dawn Chorus

Evergreen Audubon participates in the annual International Dawn Chorus by gathering at Evergreen Lake at dawn on the first Sunday of May to count all the local birds. The event includes a Potluck Buffet Breakfast at the Evergreen Nature Center.

What Do You Need To Go Birding?

One of the beautiful things about birding is the fact that you don’t need anything to pursue it as a hobby! Just your eyes and ears. That said, many find that their birding experience is enhanced by optics (binoculars or spotting scopes to bring distant birds into clearer focus) and a few minor outdoor essentials.

eBird – The Best Free Birding App For Your Phone

A Birding app for your phone can be a very helpful tool in properly identifying a bird species in your area. eBird is one of the most popular birding apps out there, and for good reason. eBird allows you to keep track of the species you see in the field, whether or not you’re connected to the internet. Starting and submitting a checklist is as easy as a few taps on the screen. You can get the eBird app by downloading it from the Apple App Store or Google Play – ebird.org.