Okanogan, WA - June 14-16, 2002

The 14th Annual Conference of the Washington Ornithological Society will be held at the Cedars Inn in Okanogan from Friday, June 14, through Sunday, June 16, 2002. Field trips to look for the region’s remarkable diversity of breeding bird species will be conducted Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and led by experienced birders. Owling trips are planned for both Friday and Saturday nights when we will search for Great Horned, Western Screech, Flammulated, Northern Saw-whet, Long-eared, and Great Gray Owls (maybe more!). We will venture out in daylight and dark to places with exotic names like Sanpoil River, Freezeout Ridge, Chesaw, Nighthawk, and Sinlahekin Valley. The Conference will also feature interesting speakers addressing topics relevant to the Okanogan for both the Friday and Saturday night programs.

The Cedars Inn, in the town of Okanogan, is Conference Headquarters. Okanogan is located near the junction of Highways 97 and 20 in north central Washington, and is 150 miles south of the Canadian border, 100 miles north of Wenatchee, 150 miles west of Spokane, and 240 miles east of Seattle. Okanogan is situated on the floor of the Okanogan Valley, a sunny, dry area of sage-covered foothills rimmed by mountainous pine forests.

The Conference Committee hopes you enjoy your visit to the Okanogan. We are offering some excellent field trips - space is limited, so register early! Be sure to indicate alternate choices for field trips and designate the menu items you prefer.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 31, 2002
 

Field Trip Descriptions and Leaders

We will be carpooling for all field trips in order to limit the number of vehicles per trip. WOS will reimburse field trip drivers who carry at least three people in addition to themselves at the current federal government mileage rate. Daytime field trips and owling field trips depart from the Cedars Inn parking lot at 5:30 am and 8:30 pm respectively.

The following schedule of field trips is intended to aid convention participants find species or habitats they wish to see. Lowland trips are coded "L". Trips to higher elevations are coded "H". Trips to "H" habitats will traverse lowlands, but one should not expect to spend much time in these areas.

Daytime Field Trips

L-1 PALMER LAKE AND CHAMPNEYS SLOUGH: The Champneys Slough area had the highest number of breeding birds of any block in the Breeding Bird Atlas Project. This area contains a mosaic of habitats, including riparian areas, lakes and sloughs, hay meadows, Douglas fir and ponderosa pine woodlands. Long-billed Curlew, White-throated Swift, Lewis's Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Least Flycatcher, Gray Catbird, and Bobolink are good bets on this tour. Species of brushy habitats and dry forests such as Dusky Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo, and Nashville Warbler should also be found. Saturday - Gene Hunn, Sunday - Brian Bell

L-2 AENEAS VALLEY AND THE WEST FORK OF THE SANPOIL: East of Tonasket lies an area relatively unexplored by birders. The approach takes one through shrub-steppe with bitterbrush to the Aeneas Valley, where Bobolinks are a sure bet in the hay fields. Lakes will likely have an assortment of ducks, including Barrow's Goldeneye. Swampy areas farther on up the valley may have Northern Waterthrush. Birds of the ponderosa pine woodlands will be searched for, including Pygmy Nuthatch. Once at the West Fork of the Sanpoil Campground, in a swampy area, Northern Waterthrush and American Redstart will be sought, plus other species of the riparian zone. Red-eyed Vireo will also be looked for in this area. Saturday - Mark Houston, Sunday - Kent Woodruff

L-3 BEAVER LAKE AND TORODA CREEK: From Tonasket, this loop proceeds east and north along the Bonaparte Lake area to Lost Lake, which may have breeding Common Loon and Black Tern. Beaver Lake is known for nesting Red-necked Grebe and Barrow's Goldeneye and perhaps Northern Waterthrush. Grasslands and mixed-conifer forests may be traversed on this trip also. Forest-meadow edges in this region may yield (with luck!) a view of the Great Gray Owl. Least Flycatcher and Red-eyed Vireo are expected towards Curlew. Saturday - Bill & Nancy LaFramboise, Sunday - Brenda Senturia

L-4 COLVILLE PLATEAU: On the Colville Indian Reservation, southeast of Okanogan, are shrub-steppe habitats with Sage Thrasher and a variety of sparrows, including Clay-colored (some years), Brewer's, Vesper, and Lark. Waterbirds on the numerous kettle lakes and ponds include Eared Grebe, all three teal species, American Avocet, and perhaps, the beginning of the fall (!) passage of shorebirds. Birds of the ponderosa pine woodlands and riparian thickets include Gray Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker (maybe), Pygmy Nuthatch, and Red Crossbill. Descending from the plateau, views of the Okanogan River mouth can often reveal interesting birds, including possibly American White Pelican and Double-crested Cormorant. Friday - Patrick & Ruth Sullivan, Saturday - Kraig Kemper, Sunday - Marv Breece

L-5 HAVILLAH AND MOLSON: Located along the Canadian border, this trip will visit riparian areas, grasslands, lakes, marshes, and forested areas of the Okanogan Highlands. This region offers some very pleasing scenery and a diverse array of breeding birds. Bobolink will be sought in hay meadows at low elevations, Pygmy Nuthatch and Red Crossbill in ponderosa pine forests, Swainson's Hawk in the grasslands, Red-naped and Williamson's Sapsucker, and Pileated Woodpecker in mixed-conifer forests, and a wide diversity of waterbirds, including Red-necked and Eared Grebes, Barrow's Goldeneye, Canvasback, and Black Tern; also, Yellow-headed Blackbird in the lakes and marshes near Molson. There is a remote chance of Great Gray Owl by day. Saturday - Ryan Shaw, Sunday - Patrick & Ruth Sullivan

L-6 SOAP LAKE: South of Okanogan and 1.5 miles north of the bridge at Monse on US-97, Soap Lake Road climbs the flanks of a glacial terrace on the Colville Indian Reservation and leads to a chain of alkaline lakes set amidst rolling grasslands. The bunchgrass at the top of the hill, 1 mile from US-97, is Grasshopper Sparrow habitat. About 1.5 miles farther, in open areas, look for Long-billed Curlew, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, Burrowing Owl (rare), and Lark Sparrow. For the next 3 miles pass three alkaline lakes: Lower Soap Lake, Middle Soap Lake, and Soap Lake. Here, look for nesting Eared Grebe, teal of all 3 species, Barrow's Goldeneye, Wilson's Phalarope, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. Friday - Kraig Kemper, Saturday - Ken Knittle, Sunday - Kraig Kemper

H-1 LONG SWAMP: West from Tonasket and Loomis lies the Toats Coulee Road, which leads to Long Swamp. Species of the mixed-conifer zone will be looked for at lower elevations, as well as those of the spruce-fir belt. Northern Waterthrush may be found about Long Swamp. Spruce Grouse and Boreal Chickadee might be encountered on the slopes about Corral Butte. The area south of Long Swamp may be the stronghold of lynx in Washington. Northern Goshawk is a possibility also. If the snowmelt has advanced, the Thunder Mountain Burn will be reached, haven for Three-toed and possibly still a few Black-backed Woodpeckers. Saturday - Marv Breece & Marcus Roening, Sunday - Ken Knittle

H-2 ROGER LAKE: A classic boreal landscape - sedge fens and willows with old-growth spruce will be visited. Spruce Grouse, three-toed woodpecker, Boreal chickadee, and Pine Grosbeak are expected species. Saturday - Brian Bell assisted by Michael Schroeder (who will emphasize grouse), Sunday - Marcus Roening

H-3 FREEZEOUT RIDGE: This is a hiking trip, possibly with some snow. Alpine species on Tiffany Mountain are the target species. White-tailed Ptarmigan (scarce), Horned Lark, Water Pipit, Townsend's Solitaire, and Gray-crowned Rosy Finch will be looked for. This trip involves 6 miles of hiking, with over 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Some equipment is required: sturdy boots, sunscreen, wind protection, and extra clothing should be brought. Experience an alpine zone in Washington akin to those found in the Rocky Mountains. Lyall's larch will also be seen. Saturday - Scott Downes & Charlie Wright

Owling Field Trips

O-1 LOUP LOUP PASS CAMPGROUND: En route are Flammulated Owl and Common Poorwill. At Loup Loup, Barred Owl is a possibility. Friday - Patrick & Ruth Sullivan, Saturday - Scott Downes & Charlie Wright

O-2 MOSES MEADOW: En route Flammulated Owl is possible. Barred, Great Gray, Long-eared and Northern Saw-whet owls will be sought. Friday - Gene Hunn

O-3 HAVILLAH AREA: No guarantees, but this is the best place for breeding Great Gray Owls in Washington. Great Horned, Barred, Northern Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls will be sought also. Short-eared Owl also breed not far away, but time constraints may prevent the drive to their grassland habitat. Saturday - Patrick & Ruth Sullivan

Speakers

Friday night: Rick Howie - "Who Gives a Hoot?"

Rick Howie is currently a Habitat Biologist with the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection in Kamloops, B.C., a position he has held for eight years. He spent seven years with National Parks Canada as a Chief Park Naturalist in five different provinces across Canada, and 16 years as Regional Interpretive Specialist for B.C. Provincial Parks. His presentation will review the basic biology of owls, looking at some of the unique aspects of their structure and life, and will focus on the owls of southern B.C. and what is known about their habitat, distribution, status, and ecology.

Saturday night: Dr. Michael A. Schroeder - "The Grouse of Washington"

Saturday night's keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Schroeder, will present "The Grouse of Washington." Dr. Schroeder has been the upland bird research biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife since 1992 and is currently researching Sage, Sharp-tailed, and Spruce Grouse in Washington. His presentation will focus on basic natural history, behavior, habitat, distribution, and status of the grouse that occur in Washington.

Meals*

Breakfast - $7.50 each; Saturday and Sunday; buffet - scrambled eggs, assorted breakfast meats, biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns, fruit, cereal, coffee, juice.

Lunch - $7.50 each; Saturday and Sunday; box lunch - choice of turkey, ham, or veggie sandwich (fresh sprouts, peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes), all on whole wheat bread, with chips, trail mix, fruit, and soft drink.

Buffet Dinner - $12; Saturday night only; Choice of "Western" (BBQ ribs and chicken), vegetarian fettuccine, plus potatoes, vegetable, bread, complete salad bar, and ice cream. Tea and coffee included.

*All meals include a gratuity to the restaurant staff

Accommodations

Conference attendees must make their own lodging arrangements. To be assured of a non-smoking room you should make your reservations soon. Both the Cedars Inn and Omak Inn (in Omak) are holding non-smoking rooms for WOS Conference attendees. At the Cedars Inn, be sure to ask for the WOS special flat rate of $50 plus tax for one or more persons in a room. At the Omak Inn, be sure to ask for the WOS corporate rate. Rooms held for WOS but not reserved will be released by the motels on these dates: Cedars Inn - May 15, 2002; Omak Inn - June 1, 2002.

Cedars Inn: 509-422-6431; 1 Apple Way, Okanogan WA 98840

Omak Inn: 1-800-204-4800; 509-826-3822; 912 Koala Dr, Omak WA 98841; info@omakinn.com 

There are campgrounds and RV parks nearby; three popular campgrounds are Conconully State Park, Bridgeport State Park, and Loup Loup Pass. The towns' Chambers of Commerce may be able to provide you more information (Omak - 509-826-1880; Okanogan - 509-422-9882), and you may be able to find information through the Internet as well.