Jessie Lake
Last Review/Updated: May 10, 2002
Great densities of shorebirds and waterfowl are found at Jessie Lake during spring and fall migrations. The lake is an important staging area for migrating birds.
Chick of American Avocet © C. Wershler |
The marsh and aspen parkland along its margins provide abundant nesting sites for both shore and song birds. Among the latter are yellow-headed blackbirds and both savannah and Le Conte's sparrows. American avocets, willets, marbled godwits and greater and lesser yellowlegs are found along the margins from spring to fall. Eared and horned grebes nest on the lake together with a large colony of Franklin's gulls and many species of ducks.
The two islands in the southwest section of the lake provide unusual concentrations of nesting ducks, and are therefore particularly sensitive.
Moose Lake to the west and Muriel Lake to the south also provide excellent viewing opportunities.
