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Tall golden reeds along blue pond water with a few birds, under a pale sky with distant mountains

Photo: Robyn Gerstenslager/USFWS · Public domain, cropped to fit and resized

A pond and marsh at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Stillwater Refugespring migration

Wildlife refuge

At Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, the spring migration peaks around mid-May, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.

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Local timing
Around mid-May

About Stillwater Refuge

What it is
A wildlife refuge in Nevada
What you'll see
Spring bird migration · most numerous around mid-May

Your guide to the area

Best spots and nearby places
Stillwater Point Reservoir Trail and observation platform
Places on this map (2)
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census; spot positions agency pages.

Where to watch

Around Stillwater Refuge

In season first, then nearest; straight-line miles

  • Yosemite

    Fall color in California

    140 mi away

    Usual peak: Late October

Next season here: Spring bird migration, around mid-May.

The year at Stillwater Refuge

  • Spring migration peakaround mid-May
  • Fall migrationSeptember
  • Swans arriveNovember

Questions people ask

When is the best time to see spring migration at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge?

Most numerous: around mid-May. The spring migration peaks around mid-May, per the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Is spring migration under way at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge right now?

Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: around mid-May, local timing.

When does bird migration peak at Stillwater Refuge?

In spring, around mid-May. September is good for the fall migration, but swans typically don't arrive until November.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the restrooms at Stillwater Refuge?

At Stillwater Point Reservoir, the pavilion on the auto tour route, the Tule Trail trailhead, and the East Division Road and Center Road camping areas.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When do swans come to Stillwater Refuge?

Typically not until November.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge?

The best spots are Tule Trail and Stillwater Point Reservoir Trail and observation platform. Tule Trail: a named refuge trail with restrooms at its trailhead. Stillwater Point Reservoir Trail and observation platform: a trail and observation platform, with restrooms.

What is Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge has something to see in 3 months of the year. Spring migration peak: May. Fall migration: Sep. Swans arrive: Nov.

How we know · Sources (2)

How we know

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 1) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)

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