SITE 17
PALA ROAD AND SMITH RIVER BEND
Directions: Go north on Highway 101 0.8 mile to Northcrest Drive, turn left, go 5.8 miles (Northcrest becomes Lake Earl Drive) to Lower Lake Road, turn left, go 5.3 miles to Pala Road, turn left, go 0.9 mile to locked gate and trailhead parking area.
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Sponsor: Alexandre EcoDairy Farms
Description: During spring migration, the Smith River bottomlands offer the spectacle of thousands of Aleutian Cackling Geese—an Endangered Species Act success story—grazing in the fields. Look in the pasturelands for Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and an occasional Bald Eagle. Through the gate to the first dune is a good area for White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, American Pipit, Horned Lark, and Lapland Longspur. North of the parking area, take the trail towards the river and walk the banks to see Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Tundra Swan, and gulls in winter. Black-crowned Night-heron often roost on the opposite shore. All seven species of swallows, including a rare colony of Bank Swallow and Purple Martin, occur in summer.
