Birdwatching at the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge near Reno

The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is located just west of Fallon, Nevada, about an hour and twenty minutes from Reno. The refuge, often described as an “Oasis in the Desert,” is in the remote Lahontan Valley but well worth the drive, especially if you enjoy birdwatching. 

Birdwatching in Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Each year more than hundreds of thousands of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds stop in the refuge’s rich wetlands. More than 290 different species of birds have been documented in the area. The spring migration usually peaks right around mid-May. September is a great time to catch the fall migration. Swans typically don’t show up at the refuge until November. You may see a few species: American coots, tundra swans, long-billed dowitchers, American White Pelicans, and numerous egrets, herons, and gulls. It’s not just birds; other wildlife you may see includes Resident mule deer, coyotes, white-tailed antelope ground squirrels, jack and cottontail rabbits, kangaroo rats, lizards, and snakes.

Other things to do in Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

While you are enjoying the refuge, make sure you walk the interpretive trail to the Stillwater Point Reservoir observation platform. Don’t forget to bring binoculars; this is a great place to spot wildlife. Next up, drive the auto tour route. Your car makes for an excellent blind. Stop at the pavilion and stretch your legs on a short boardwalk hike into the marsh. Watch for red-winged blackbirds along the way. The Paiute Path is also nearby and worth a walk. For those looking for a little more adventure, hike the Tule Pond Trail. This hike is about a 1.5-mile lollipop loop that is a great way to get off the beaten path in an already remote wildlife refuge! 

If you want more adventure, check out the nearby Fallon National Wildlife Refuge. It is the most remote of the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex. You can only get there from a primitive/rough road through the Southern boundary, about 18 miles from Fallon.