The Modoc National Forest historically had few wetlands, but since 1976, this Forest has embarked on the most intensive wetland development program in the Forest Service. In the beginning, wetlands were developed to improve forage for livestock and provide habitat for the Canada goose, but they were soon recognized for their value to other wildlife dependent on the wetlands-other waterfowl, marsh birds, shorebirds, bald eagles, ospreys, fish, and various mammals. Wetlands, especially on the Devil's Garden Ranger District where wetlands are most abundant, also provide water and forage production for upland wildlife-wild horses, deer, and pronghorn.

Ash Creek Wildlife Area

The Ash Creek Wildlife Area (ACWA) is located in Modoc and Lassen Counties, California. The area is open dally for sightseeing and nature study from sunrise to sunset. During the waterfowl season these activities are restricted to public access roads, and parking lots. Binoculars and/or a spotting scope will improve your viewing pleasure with a minimum disturbance to wildlife. Various field guides can be obtained in most book stores and are helpful for identifying plants and animals. Bird checklists are available at Wildlife Area headquarters.

Bald Eagle
This endangered species is responding to conservation efforts and is making a gradual comeback. As many as 50 have wintered at ACWA, and 18 have been sighted in one field. Look for eagles on the west side of the area. Sometimes they can be observed from the Bieber-Lookout road.

Sage Grouse
Sagebrush is important to this bird's life cycle. The tender leaves are used for food, and sagebrush flats are used for escape and nesting cover. During March and April, males are concentrated on strutting grounds for a unique courtship ritual. Walk the trail between the Pilot Butte parking lot and Elkins Lane for a glimpse of this largest native North American grouse.

Waterfowl
ACWA is an important staging area for Ross' and Cackling Canada Geese between February and April. A staging area is a migratory stopover that allows birds to rebuild fat reserves before continuing migration. Your best bet for a look at Cacklers and Ross' Geese is in the west end of the area. Canada Geese and various duck species nest at ACWA between April and July.

Big Game
Pronghorn (Antelope) summer in the sagebrush uplands of ACWA. Mule Deer spend summer and fall in the area, mainly along Ash Creek in the center of the area, and east of Elkins Lane. Watch for does with fawns in July and August.

Sandhill Cranes
Greater Sandhill Cranes winter in the Central Valley and breed in the Great Basin, including ACWA. In spring, the courtship (dancing) behavior may be observed in wetland habitats. Watch for protective closures for this threatened species in the spring. In fall they are joined by Lesser Sandhill from the arctic. Both subspecies of crane migrate south by early October.

Swainson's Hawk
The Swainson's Hawks winters in South America, often as far south as Argentina, one of the longest migrations of North American hawks. They arrive in California in mid-March or early April and depart in September and early October. This threatened species nests on the north side of ACWA.

The Warner Mountain Ranger District

Wildlife is a key resource in any forest or Wilderness. The Warner Mountain Ranger District is the home of more than 300 species of wildlife and fish.

Rocky Mountain mule deer, the most important game species on the district, are maintaining a low but stable population. This lower population level s due to a number of circumstances. Major factors are believed to be changes in food sources from the wilderness to the farm lands outside the wilderness; poaching; competition for food sources with livestock; and changes in availability of food sources as a result of fire suppression.

The Wilderness provides spring, summer and early fall range (food sources) for deer. It also includes important holding areas and fawning habitat. The State of California purchased about 420 acres that adjoins the east boundary of the South Warner Wilderness south of Cottonwood Canyon, for winter deer range. The California State Game Refuge encompasses a total of 6,016 acres.

Hunting and fishing regulations are set each year by the California Department of Fish and Game Commission The Warner Mountain Ranger District is located In the"X-3b Zone. for hunting. Part of the Warner Mountain Ranger District is located in California State Game Refuge, where all hunting is prohibited. Deer hunting is the major hunting activity within the district.

Protection of rare, threatened or endangered species is one objective of forest and Wilderness management. The South Warner Wilderness once supported nesting Peregrine falcons (an endangered species) and should be suitable for re-introduction under the Peregrine Falcon Project. Rare, threatened or endangered wildlife species that are found on the district are prairie falcons, golden eagles, bald eagles and goshawks.

California Bighorn sheep are native to the Warner Mountains, but competition with domestic livestock, hunting, disease and parasites transmitted from domestic sheep resulted in the disappearance of the Bighorn from the Warners by the late 1800s. In 1980, California Bighorn sheep were reintroduced with the herd numbering 50 by 1987. In the early part of 1988, the population of Bighorn dramatically declined due to disease. It is not known if any Bighorn sheep survived the disease outbreak. All remains of any Bighorn sheep are protected by law and any observations of Bighorn sheep should be reported to the Forest Service or the California Department of Fish and Game.

Other wildlife that inhabits the Warner Mountain Ranger District are martens, western gray squirrels, pronghorn antelope, beaver, rabbits, chipmunks, coyotes, badgers, bobcats, weasels and mountain lions.

Bird watchers can enjoy locating: willow flycatchers, Canada geese, mallard duck, osprey, hairy woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, yellow warblers, red-tailed hawks, rough-legged hawks, blue grouse, sage grouse, mountain quail, valley quail, mourning doves and great horned owls.