Birdwatching opportunities feature bald eagles at Lake Pillsbury, flocks of bandtailed pigeons at Thomes Creek in the fall, and golden eagles above Black Butte and Anthony Peak. Perhaps the best birdwatching can be found along the trails at the Lake Red Bluff Recreation Center. This area was singled out as a Watchable Wildlife area because visitors can probably see a greater variety of birds within a three- to four-mile section of river and trail than any other place in Northern California.
In other parts of the forest, at the appropriate time of year, a viewer can see the full spectrum of upland game species including wild turkey, quail, and dove; such migratory waterfowl as geese and ducks; migratory subtropical and tropical song birds; and an array of predators such as eagles, osprey, hawks, and owls.
The southern part of the forest may have the highest concentration of mountain lions in California. Tule elk have recently been reintroduced into the forest and seem to be coming back fine. Also be on the lookout for black bear, black-tailed deer, marten, flying squirrels (always a lot of fun), and bobcats.
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