The Spenceville Wildlife and Recreation Area lying along the western boundary of Nevada County is a bit remote but well worth the extra travel time. To reach Spenceville travel on West from the Lake Wildwood turnoff until you see the sign for Beale Air Force Base. Turn South on Smartville Road and bear to the left for 6.5 miles until you cross the Waldo bridge, a good place to start birding as Snipe are seen here. The best hikes begin 2 miles further at the Old copper mine. The trip to Fairy Falls along Dry creek usually is particularly rewarding.

The California Department of Fish and Game, Region 2 manages Spenceville. Their address is

1702 Nimbus Rd. Suite A

Rancho Cordova CA 95670

916-538-2236

An additional reason to visit is the threat to Spenceville posed by the proposed Waldo Dam, which would flood a major portion of the area including Fairy Falls. That is, if the prospect of viewing some of the 80 species of birds that nest at Spenceville or the 175 species of migratories that have been seen there are not reasons enough.

A partial listing of birds would include Nuttall's and Acorn Woodpeckers, Anna's Hummingbirds, Band-tailed Pigeons, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western and Mountain Bluebirds, California Quail, Kingbirds, Northern Orioles, Purple Finch, Lazuli Buntings, and White Breasted Nuthatches. Raptors observed include Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, White-tailed Kites, Turkey Vultures, Coopers Hawks and the American Kestrel.

There is a web site maintained by the Friends of Spenceville at