Recreation services

Willow Lake and Watson Lake are most notable for the number of waterfowl they support during the migration and winter. These lakes are particularly important to large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds during the fall passage. In wet years waterfowl numbers can exceed 5000 birds at one time. Notably abundant are Northern Pintails and Northern Shovelers. Shorebird numbers in fall passage can exceed 300 birds, including Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets. White-faced Ibis and Forester’s Tern also regularly occur in the fall passage, and Marbled Godwits occur in the spring. There are no other comparable lake systems within a distance of 200-300 miles east and west, and 60 to 150 miles north and south, thus indicating the importance of the lakes ecosystem as stop-over feeding and resting site for these migrants. Ruddy and Ring-necked Ducks and Common Merganser over-winter in this lake system in large numbers. Bald Eagles are also present (4-10 individuals) during the winter period and Peregrine Falcons in all seasons, finding available prey among the waterfowl flocks. Wood Duck (approximately 50 pairs) are notable breeders within the two lakes ecosystem. There are Great Blue Heron and Double-crested Cormorant rookeries as well. The riparian area is small, but supports breeding Yellow Warbler in abundance, breeding Lucy’s Warblers, and nesting Green Heron.