Bill Williams River Refugespring migration
Migrating songbirds stop over in spring to refuel; peak migration, when you're likely to see the most species, comes late April to early May, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. This year's season is over; the next is in 2027.
Right now in Bill Williams River Refuge · September
- Fall waterfowl arrive on the lake: goldeneyes, scaup, mergansers and wigeons · Sep–Nov
203days to the next spring migration seasonlate April to early May, local timing
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Spring songbird migration at its peak, late April to early MayApr–May
- Nesting season for Bell's vireo, summer tanager, yellow-billed cuckoo and southwestern willow flycatcher (summer)Jun–Aug
- Lizards out in the summer warmth: spiny and side-blotched lizardsJun–Aug
- Fall waterfowl arrive on the lake: goldeneyes, scaup, mergansers and wigeonsNowSep–Nov
- Peak season for waterfowl (winter): large rafts of diving ducks and several kinds of grebes from the headquarters trailsDec–Feb
Where to watch
- Peninsula TrailA mile round trip from near the visitor center (the first quarter mile paved and accessible), with benches, shaded cabanas and vault toilets at the trailhead; migratory songbirds pass through in spring and fall
- Delta Loop TrailA half-mile gravel spur off the Peninsula Trail through planted mesquite to a ridge over the delta marsh of the Bill Williams River, a good place to look for migrating birds in spring and fall
Bill Williams River Refuge in pictures
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bill Williams River NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bill Williams River NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see spring migration at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge?
Migrating songbirds stop over in spring to refuel; peak migration, when you're likely to see the most species, comes late April to early May, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: late April to early May. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is spring migration under way at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the spring migration season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 203 days (late April to early May, local timing).
Does it cost anything to visit?
No, there is no charge to visit.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bill Williams River NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What are the hours?
Refuge lands, roads and trails are open all year from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. The visitor center is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on federal holidays.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bill Williams River NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do I find the visitor center?
It's off Arizona Highway 95 at mile marker 161, about 17 miles south of Lake Havasu City or 16 miles north of Parker. If you use Google Maps, search for "Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center": other searches lead to a remote dirt road on the refuge with no facilities.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bill Williams River NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there restrooms?
Yes: inside the visitor center, with vault toilets at the Peninsula Trail trailhead and near the fishing docks.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bill Williams River NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What should I bring?
Plenty of drinking water, even in winter, and clothing for the weather. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes: they aren't abundant but are seen now and then. Mornings and evenings are when wildlife is most active.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bill Williams River NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge?
Peninsula Trail: a mile round trip from near the visitor center (the first quarter mile paved and accessible), with benches, shaded cabanas and vault toilets at the trailhead; migratory songbirds pass through in spring and fall; Delta Loop Trail: a half-mile gravel spur off the Peninsula Trail through planted mesquite to a ridge over the delta marsh of the Bill Williams River, a good place to look for migrating birds in spring and fall.
What is Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Spring songbird migration at its peak, late April to early May (Apr–May), Nesting season for Bell's vireo, summer tanager, yellow-billed cuckoo and southwestern willow flycatcher (summer) (Jun–Aug), Lizards out in the summer warmth: spiny and side-blotched lizards (Jun–Aug), Fall waterfowl arrive on the lake: goldeneyes, scaup, mergansers and wigeons (Sep–Nov) and Peak season for waterfowl (winter): large rafts of diving ducks and several kinds of grebes from the headquarters trails (Dec–Feb).