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The 4,034-acre Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge is home to more than 225 species of birds, including 14 species of ducks that nest on the refuge.
Almost a third of the refuge is wetlands and the rest is composed of a variety of prairie habitats with a unique wooded habitat unusual for the region.
The refuge checklist includes 226 birds, 36 mammals, six reptiles, three amphibians and 11 fish species.
Large flocks of birds use Lake Ilo in the spring and fall. Peak concentrations can reach 100,000 waterfowl in the fall and 20,000 in the spring. The principle waterfowl nesting species are Canada geese, mallards, pintails, blue-winged teal, shovelers and gadwall.
Other nesting marsh and waterbirds include eared, western and pied-bill grebes; double-crested cormorants; great blue herons; black-crowned night herons; and American bitterns.
Shorebirds, such as killdeer, plovers, sandpipers, willets, yellowlegs, marbled godwits, American avocets and phalaropes are plentiful during migration.
Some songbirds, such as meadowlarks, sparrows, and swallows, are easily seen from roads, while others are best found by hiking and quietly observing. Ring-necked pheasant are common, while sharp-tailed grouse and gray partridge are not as plentiful.
The refuge is also home to white-tailed deer, badger, skunk, beaver, raccoon, mink, and muskrat. It is a special treat to see the less common pronghorn antelope, mule deer, coyote and secretive weasel on the refuge.
The refuge office is located one mile west and 1.5 miles south of Dunn Center. The office is on the south shore of the lake.
Outdoor Activities |
Coyotes are among the inhabitants of the Lake Ilo refuge.
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