Birding and Wildlife Viewing Weekend at Cottonwood Ranch

Cottonwood Ranch, the O'Neil Basin and the Jarbidge Mountains are home to widely varied & stunning wildlife.  Led by Kody Menghini, Cottonwood's resident wildlife expert, join us for this very special
weekend, where we will explore this vast area in search of as many
species of birds and mammals as possible. 

Bring your optics, journals, bird books, cameras, tripods and other
gear; also hiking boots, muckers and a wide variety of clothing for
all types of weather conditions.  Kody says, "The days will be fairly
full of watching wildlife...starting early and ending late.  Of course, if people want to come back early to rest at the lodge or to enjoy the
hot tub, the recreation room, or the rest of the ranch, then we
will arrange that.  On tour, we will travel in Cottonwood trucks
to the various locations and sites." 

    

Arrive at the ranch the afternoon of Friday, get settled in
your cozy room in our luxurious lodge, get to know the ranch crew and fellow guests, enjoy the briefing and a hearty dinner together, and then
it's off to bed to get a good night's sleep.  Our exciting tour will begin
early Saturday morning after breakfast.  Lunch will either be enjoyed in the field or back at the ranch.  A hot shower and scrumptious dinner
will await your return to the lodge Saturday evening.  We'll begin early again Sunday morning and return to the lodge for lunch, the final
wrap-up and to say our goodbyes.

  

Species we're looking for, but not limited to, include Sage Grouse (there will be opportunities to view sage hen leks and male sage grouse
strutting), Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Heron, American Avocet,
Killdeer, Sandpipers, Ducks (including Mallard & Goldeneye),
Canadian Geese, Egrets, Long-billed Curlew, Belted Kingfisher, Great Horned Owl and Common Nighthawk, just to name a few, and also
a wide variety of birds of prey and songbirds.  Other wildlife could
include Mule Deer, Pronghorn Antelope, Elk, Rocky Mountain
Bighorn Sheep, Beaver, Coyote and, of course, smaller mammals
such as Jackrabbits, Ground Squirrels, Marmots and much more.

  

Come join us for a weekend that you'll always treasure!
Rates are $275 USD per day or $500 USD for the entire weekend,
all meals and soft drinks are included.  If you prefer to enjoy wine
and other alcoholic beverages, please bring these with you since we are
not licensed to serve these to you.  Each lodge guest room has it's own small, quiet refrigerator for you to store any personal items.
And, if you would like to extend your stay, we are happy to
accommodate you with additional, reasonable rates. 

Please contact us as soon as possible to book your spot for this
incredible weekend!!!

For all of you birders & ornithologists, here's a brief paper that avid birder, Peter Kaestner, wrote after his first visit to Cottonwood in June 2004.


Here is one of our YouTube videos that captures our hummingbirds on
a couple of barnyard shed feeders during one summer evening.