Coyotes, black-tailed deer, and jackrabbits inhabit the uplands and the margins of wetlands. Each season brings a new look to the Refuges with a variety of wildlife. Although the peak waterfowl season is October through February, the best viewing months are November and December. The seasons mark an endless cycle of growing plants and migrating wildlife which can be observed and enjoyed year-round. There is a fine line between viewing and disturbing wildlife.
Pintails are the first duck to arrive and signal the beginning of winter migration.
White-fronted geese and snow geese follow. Duck and geese numbers peak. Snow and Ross' geese, mallard, wigeon, teal, bufflehead, ruddy duck, northern shoveler and ring-necked ducks enjoy the flooded marsh. As ducks and geese leave for their breeding grounds, shorebirds arrive. Sandpipers, dowitchers, dunlin, avocets, black-necked stilts and others probe the mudflats for food.