Birding Hotspots: Nik and Nik Gravel Ponds
What's There:
Bank Swallows, migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. The NE corner of "Curve Pond" houses a colony of Bank Swallows from mid-April through late summer.
In the past few years, Mountain Plover, Greater Scaup, and American Bittern have been seen here. The new "Curve Pond" is a great place for diving ducks.
Check eBird for the latest bird sighting information for Nik and Nik Gravel Ponds!
Directions:
Travel north out of Bishop on US 6. About half-way through the big bend in the highway, get into the left-turn pocket and go north on Five Bridges Rd. Cross Owens River. Before the long left turn, the "Curve Pond" will appear behind a birm on the left. Park on the east side of "Curve Pond" for best viewing in the morning.
To see the Bank Swallow Colony, park on the north side of "Curve Pond" and either view from the road. The colony is just visible from the road, but it is best to get out of the car, hop the low barbed wire fence, and slowly approach keeping a reasonable distance from the moat in front of the cavities.
