Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Pacific Southwest Region

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge

 

Fact Sheet | Volunteer | Contact Wildlife Refuge Manager

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Refuge Facts | Natural History | Refuge Objectives | Management tools | Public Use | Questions and Answers | What are my chances of seeing a California condor from the roadside? | What other birds will I see on the Refuge from the roadside? | Contact the Wildlife Refuge Manager | Volunteer Opportunities

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LATEST NEWS: June 2010 Fire Management Letter (598KB, PDF)

BITTER CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PLANNING

The final Independent Range Review (IRR) report assessing the feasibility of grazing on Bitter Creek NWR is now available. The report reflects the opinions and recommendations of its author as a certified range specialist. The USFWS will use this report, along with information from other sources, as Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) environmental planning efforts continue for the refuge.

Independent Rangeland Review Final - (8/9/2010) (3.28 MB, pdf)

Appendices Independent Rangeland Review Final - (8/9/2010) (1.32 MB, pdf)

Dr. Beth Painter Comments on Range Review Final - (8/9/2010) (354 KB, pdf)

Fall 2009 - Planning Update (11/13/2009) (104KB, pdf)

Summer 2009 - Planning Update (7/10/2009) (55KB, pdf)

Spring 2009 - Planning Update (4/1/2009) (150KB, pdf)

The draft Environmental Assessment (below) for the Bitter Creek Grassland Management and Restoration Plan was not finalized and is now obsolete. The EA prepared for the CCP will include information from the Bitter Creek Grassland Management and Restoration Plan as appropriate.

Draft 2008 - Environmental Assessment for the Bitter Creek Grassland Management and Restoration Plan (11.6 MB, pdf)

 

Refuge Facts

  • Established: 1985
  • Acres: 14,094
  • Location: The Refuge encompasses parts of Kern, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties in California. The area is approximately 80 miles north of Los Angeles, CA.top

    • Natural History

  • The primary habitat of the Refuge is open grassland providing valuable foraging habitat for California condors. The Refuge was used historically by the wild condor population.
  • Smaller areas of habitat consist of juniper brush land, oak savannah, and pinyon pine/juniper/oak communities. Several springs are found within the Refuge boundaries and creeks flow intermittently, depending upon rainfall. Bitter Creek Canyon provides a riparian corridor.
  • The Refuge protects the habitat of a variety of plants and animals, including the golden eagle, prairie falcon and the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard. top

    • Refuge Objectives

  • Bitter Creek NWR was established to provide safe roosting and foraging habitat for use by California condors.
  • California Condors are now flying back and forth from Ventura Country and Bitter Creek NWR.
  • The refuge is also used as a release site for California Condors. A large flight pen is housed at the refuge it is used to hold California Condors that are injured or getting ready to be released in to the wild. top

    • Management tools

  • Monitoring behavior of California condors utilizing Refuge and adjacent lands.
  • Biological surveys.
  • Wetland restoration and enhancement.
  • No hunting is strictly enforced on the refuge. top

    • Public Use

  • The public can view the Refuge along HWY. 166 and Cerro Noroeste Rd, with the possibility of seeing a California condor. top

    • Questions and Answers

    What are my chances of seeing a California condor from the roadside?
    California condors are known to feed on and fly over the Refuge. Often they will only be seen as a small dot in the distance. A good pair of binoculars and/or a spotting scope is a must. Currently the condors are using the Refuge on a regular basis. top

    What other birds will I see on the Refuge from the roadside?
    Birders will have opportunity to spot golden eagles, prairie falcons, rough-legged hawks and Swainson’s hawks (winter), tri-colored blackbirds, loggerhead shrikes and many other species.

    Contact the Wildlife Refuge Manager

    Mailing Address: PO BOX 5839 Ventura CA 93005

    Phone Number: (805) 644-5185

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    Last updated: June 15, 2012