Birding At the Site 
In unflooded fields, look for Sandhill Cranes feeding. Large numbers of ducks and geese, especially the Aleutian subspecies of Cackling Geese, can be found in flooded fields. (Canada Geese are relatively unusual here.) Large numbers of Tundra Swans frequent the island in winter. In fields both flooded and dry, and on the small levees between fields, you may also see many gulls, even hundreds or occasionally thousands. The most common are California, Ring-billed, and Herring gulls. Look carefully. Occasional sightings include Iceland, Glaucous-winged, and even Glaucous gulls in the winter. Look up periodically as large flocks of Snow Geese, which may number in the thousands, sometimes fly over. This is your best chance to see a Ross’s Goose, as they are noticeably smaller in flight. Check out the Tundra Swans and listen carefully. Viewing large flocks of Tundra Swans is your best chance at the rare and elusive Trumpeter Swan. When viewing ducks, check out the Canvasbacks for the occasional Redhead. Scan all the ducks for other rarities.

The roadside ditches offer cover for over-wintering sparrows, such as White- and Golden-crowned, and Lincoln’s, along with Common Yellowthroat and both Sora and Virginia Rails.

Continue birding to the end of the public access at the collapsing water tower and equipment shed on the west side of the road. At this point, turn around and retrace your route north. With the light now behind you, you may have better birding from your car, which also acts as a blind. It will appear that you can drive up onto the levee at several spots, but do not do so, as these side roads are strictly off limits to the general public. There are no restroom facilities.