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The 18th Annual WOS conference
will be centered at the Ferry County Fairgrounds Pavilion located about
one mile east of Republic, Washington on State Highway 20/21 from
Friday, June 16th through Monday, June 19th, 2006. The Pavilion will
serve as a meeting place for all meals, evening program/festivities, and
starting point for all field trips. The conference will feature a local
speaker who will address topics relevant to the natural history of
northeast Washington on Saturday evening. Daylight field trips, led by
local and experienced birders, will be conducted on Friday, Saturday,
Sunday, and Monday and commence at 5:00 AM; owling trips will be
conducted on Friday and Sunday evenings and commence at 7:15 PM.
Motel accommodations can be found
in Republic along Clark Avenue (known locally as “Main Street”);
National Forest Service campgrounds are located 12-13 miles south and
west of Republic along the Scatter Creek drainage and at Ten Mile on Hwy
21; and, RV and State campgrounds are situated along the east and west
shorelines of Curlew Lake some 8-9 miles east and north of Republic.
Republic itself can be reached from Spokane either by traveling north
from I-5 (Exit 281) on Division Street/Highway 395 to Kettle Falls, then
west on Hwy 20 over Sherman Pass to Republic, or by traveling west from
I-90 (Exit 277B) on Hwy 2 to Wilbur, then north on Hwy 21 via the Keller
Ferry (free; operates from about 6 AM to midnight daily). Due to traffic
considerations on Division or crossing the Columbia River via the Keller
Ferry, both routes require about 3 hours driving time (distances: ~118
and ~129 miles, respectively). Republic can also be reached from
communities west of the Cascade Crest in part by either utilizing Hwy 97
north from Wenatchee to Tonasket, then east on Hwy 20 (~159 miles) or
I-90 east to Hwy 21 (Exit 206) then north on Hwy 21 via the Keller Ferry
(see above ~170 from Ellensburg); or from communities near the
Tri-Cities area in part via Hwy 395 to north Eltopia, Hwy 17 north to
Coulee City, Hwy 2 east to the outskirts of Wilbur and then north on Hwy
21 (~212 miles).
The 2006 Conference is timed to
intersect with the terminus of north-bound, local song-bird migration
and the peak of vocalization/breeding activity, and to avoid conflict
with other annual, Republic-sponsored events such as Prospector Days
(weekend of June 10th) and the Republic Birding Festival (third weekend
in May). A large selection of trips are being offered; space is limited
to 10 individuals in 3 autos for daylight trips and 6 in 2 autos for
owling adventures—so be forewarned—register early!!! Regarding the
REGISTRATION FORM, be sure to indicate alternative choices for trips and
designate the menu items you prefer (the latter include boxed breakfasts
and lunches, as well as catered hot dinners)—all from the Pavilion; if
you wish alcoholic beverages with dinner, bring your own. The Conference
Committee hopes you enjoy your visit to the Republic area.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 19,
2006
Registrations postmarked after May
19, 2006 will be assessed a $10 late fee.
Registration begins February 13,
2006. Registration materials postmarked as of February 13th will be
processed in random order. Materials received with postmarks later than
February 13th will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Space on field trips is limited: 10 individuals in 3 autos for daylight
trips and 6 in 2 autos for owling adventures; additionally there is a
limit of 6 participants on Day Trip 6 [see below]). As a courtesy to the
business people of Republic, in particular those who will prepare our
meals, please return your Registration materials as soon as possible.
Registration at the
Pavilion—Applications for registration at the door of the Eighteenth
Annual Conference will have no guarantee of participation in field trips
or of any meals. Additionally, there will be a $10.00 late fee.
Cancellations received on or prior
to May 19th will receive a refund, less a $10.00 processing fee.
Additionally, cancellations received after May 19th will not receive a
refund for any meals.
Lodging or campground fees are not
included in Conference fees. Please refer to the information provided
under ACCOMMODATIONS and make your own arrangements [be aware that only
35 of the 65 motel rooms available in Republic are blocked].
 FIELD
TRIPS
In order to optimize the birding
experience for participants, car-pooling will be utilized for all field
trips. WOS will reimburse field trip drivers who carry at least three
people in addition to themselves at the current federal government
mileage rate. Unless noted in the description, all daylight field trips
will depart from the Ferry County Fairgrounds Pavilion at 5:00 AM and
all owling trips will depart from the same location at 7:15 PM. Trips
and trip leaders may be subject to change. If you possess a Washington
State Parks pass, a WDFW parking sticker, or a Golden Age pass, please
bring it/them. Also, if you have an FRS radio, please bring it/them.
Coming or going, if you wish to travel across the U.S./Canadian border,
be sure to bring your passport.
SANPOIL RIVER VALLEY TO FROSTY MEADOW – [Day Trip 1] We will bird the
Sanpoil River Valley south to Keller utilizing the East Sanpoil Road
from Thirty Mile Road south to Keller to avoid traffic and lack of
pull-outs along Hwy 21. The riparian habitat along the Sanpoil from
~14-38 miles south of Republic (Gold Creek to Lime Creek Roads) is
dominated by Black Cottonwood, Quaking Aspen, and various willows and
hosts passerines of distinctly “eastern” distribution including Northern
Waterthrush, American Redstart, Veery, Gray Catbird, Red-eyed Vireo,
Least Flycatcher and Eastern Kingbird. Other species of a more
“western” distribution include a variety of woodpeckers/sapsuckers,
flycatchers, swallows, nuthatches, Cedar Waxwing, warblers including
Yellow-breasted Chat, finches including Black-headed Grosbeak, and
Bullock’s Oriole. Raptors including both eagles and osprey can be seen
south of Keller on the Sanpoil arm of Lake FDR (grebes, ducks, Caspian
Tern from the Keller Ferry). East of Keller, the Silver Creek Road
climbs through Ponderosa Pine/Douglas Fir forest where woodpeckers such
as White-headed and Hairy may be found [an alternate route to Frosty
Meadow via the Copper & Cook Creek Roads has also produced White-headed
Woodpeckers]. At about 14 miles, the northern terminus of the
Ninemile-Hellgate Road intersects the Silver Creek Road from the south.
From that junction, the first two miles of the Hellgate Road flank the
west side of Friedlander Meadows. Owls have seemed to segregate
themselves along the meadow as follows: Great Gray (rare) on the north
end, Great Horned and N. Pygmy- in the Ponderosa on the west, Barred in
the Lodgepole on the east, and Saw-whet on the south – not to mention
occasional White-headed Woodpecker or Williamson’s Sapsucker in the old
snags just south of the meadow system. Proceeding east ~5 miles on the
Silver Creek road from the Hellgate junction and then north ~7 miles on
Ninemile Creek Road eventually brings one to Frosty Meadow where a short
system of beaver dams found along the creek once provided “habitat” for
an unbelievable Sage Thrasher! The riparian habitat and
Ponderosa-covered hillsides along this narrow valley hold a variety of
passerines, raptors, jays, Clark’s Nutcracker, Barred Owl and Northern
Goshawk; Great Gray Owl has been heard at Frosty. Over the whole of
this route, and particularly along the southern stretches of the
Sanpoil, chances of observing wildlife such as Mule & White-tailed Deer
and Black Bear are pretty good. Return to the Sanpoil Valley via Bridge
Creek Road some 5-6 miles north of Frosty [pp 463-466; 286-289].
SCATTER CREEK TO AENEAS VALLEY - [Day Trip 2] From Republic, proceed
south about 7 miles on Hwy 21 to Scatter Creek Road; follow this road as
it runs west then south to a complex of lakes: Ferry, Fish, Long and
Swan Lakes. Scatter Creek and the coniferous forest surrounding these
lakes hold Swainson’s Thrush, Black-backed Woodpecker, and other
interesting species; the lakes provide breeding habitat for Barrow’s
Goldeneye as well as a variety of other waterfowl, possible Common Loon,
and Osprey. Return to Hwy 21 and proceed south some 7.6 miles. After
turning west on Gold Creek Road, pull over and scan the cliffs overhead
for Golden Eagle, White-throated Swift and Clark’s Nutcracker. Take
Gold Creek Road about 2.5 miles to a junction just before a bridge and
turn northwest (right) onto unmarked West Fork Sanpoil Road (which
becomes Aeneas Valley Road in about 2 miles as one crosses the
Ferry/Okanogan County line). In about 6.6 miles, the road passes West
Fork Sanpoil Campground where American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush
and other passerines of wet-forest/bog habitats can be found along the
alder-dominated streamside. Perhaps 7 miles west from the campground,
the road intersects Lyman Lake-Moses Meadow Road along which Turkey,
Ruffed Grouse, and White-headed Woodpecker as well as deer, chipmunks,
squirrels, badger, and bear can be found. Bobolinks are present in the
hayfields immediately before the intersection of Aeneas Valley Road and
Hwy 20 [pp 464-465].
NORTH & SOUTH TWIN LAKES TO WILMONT CREEK ROAD – [Day Trip 3] The
North/South Twin Lakes area can be reached from the west via the Sanpoil
Valley (Hwy 21) and Bridge Creek Road, or alternatively, from the east
via Inchelium and Twin Lakes Road (the continuation of Bridge Creek road
east of the Twin Lakes). The loop route includes North & South Twin and
Round Lakes all accessed from Bridge Creek/Twin Lakes Road, a further
swing to the east (~5-8 miles) and then south (~ 1-2 miles) on Silver
Creek Road to Butler Flat (p 467), continuation south (~11 miles) to
Falls Creek Road, west (6+ miles) on Falls Creek to Wilmont Creek Road,
and finally south (~4 miles) on Wilmont Creek to Silver Creek Road (p
466) and then west to the Sanpoil Valley/Hwy 21 [pp 465-466].
Alternative points of birding interest that can be accessed from
Inchelium might include the [free] Gifford-Incheliun ferry (p 473) to
the Gifford-Addy or Cedonia-Addy Road (pp 473-474) and the
Colville/Chewelah areas.
The Twin and Round Lakes are known for nesting Common Loon and Bald
Eagle; other typical species include waterfowl and Osprey. Butler Flat
is a large sedge and cattail wetland known for waterfowl, rails,
raptors, sparrows and blackbirds; Wild Turkey can be found along the
road south of the Flats. The riparian habitat along Falls, Wilmont, and
the South Fork of Ninemile Creeks hosts Red-naped Sapsucker, Downy
Woodpecker, flycatchers, thrushes, and warblers including American
Redstart and Yellow-breasted Chat. From the Wilmont Creek/Silver Creek
Road junction and for ~1 mile south, the Ponderosa Pine/grassland
habitat supports many species including American Kestrel, Mourning Dove,
flycatchers, Western Wood-Pewee, Western Kingbird, vireos, bluebirds,
nuthatches, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Lazuli Bunting and Black
Swift (occasional during June). Coyote, Yellow-Pine Chipmunk,
Columbian-Ground and Red Squirrel, as well as deer should be encountered
in appropriate habitat along the entire route.
SHERMAN PASS TO THE LOWER KETTLE RIVER - [Day Trip 4] From the White
Mountain Burn on the west side of Sherman Pass (pp 467-469), proceed
east ~3-5 miles on Hwy 20 to the Pass; proceed east, and some 3+ miles
beyond at the north-pointing apex of a “hair-pin” curve on Hwy 20, turn
north on Albian Hill Road (FS#2030). Follow this road as it proceeds
north and uphill along the drainage of the North Fork of Sherman Creek;
in about 4 miles, FS#2030 has reached its elevation maximum on the
eastern flank of Scar Mtn. and begins to go downhill [the road now
becomes known as the South Fork of Boulder Creek Road, but there is
apparently no change in numerical designation]; after following this
road for 6-8 miles in a northerly direction, the road turns to the east
[same name but numerical designation changes to FS#6110] and runs at
least 14 miles to its junction with Boulder Creek Road (FS#61); turn
east and go ~2 miles on FS#61 to its junction with US 395 (some 3 miles
south of Orient). Turn south on US 395 and proceed at least 15 miles to
the turnoff (east) for the Kamloops Island Campground (a.k.a. Kettle
River Campground, p 470) where the flooded terminus of the Kettle River
now becomes a part of FDR Lake. After scouring the diverse habitat in
and around the campground, return to US 395, proceed south to its
junction with Hwy 20 (county listers, don’t forget to badger the leader
to stop in the trailer park just beyond the junction for your Ferry Co.
House Sparrow); then, continue south, then west uphill on Hwy 20 for ~8
miles to Canyon Creek Campground, then Camp Growden (~3 miles), and
eventually Sherman Pass (~11 miles farther along).
In the Sherman Pass environs, many sub-alpine species are possible
although usually take considerable effort to see; these include a
“winnowing” male Boreal Owl seen in April, 1985--the first so recorded
in WA, Northern Hawk Owl (rare in winter), Hairy Woodpecker, Gray Jay,
Mountain Chickadee, both kinglets, potentially both crossbills,
Townsend’s Solitaire, Hermit and Varied Thrushes, Townsend’s and
Yellow-rumped Warblers, and perhaps Pine Grosbeak or American Three-toed
Woodpecker. The run from Albian Hill through the South Fork of Boulder
Creek should offer great potential for finding all three grouse
species—the Spruce Grouse in/around huckleberry ground-cover, but also
found at much lower elevations, especially in early summer. Snowshoe
Hare, its ethereal, near-obligate predator Lynx, Northern Goshawk and a
variety of wet, coniferous forest passerines also inhabit portions of
this corridor. Along the Kettle River, look for goshawk and mergansers.
The diverse habitat in/near the Kamloops Island Campground should
produce species such as Spotted Sandpipers, Eastern Kingbird, Western
Wood-Pewee, Western Bluebird, Red Crossbill, Cassin’s Vireo, nuthatches,
and sparrows. Stream-side habitat at Canyon Creek Campground should
produce Hammond’s Flycatcher, Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, and
Orange-crowned & Yellow Warblers (uphill on Bangs Mtn. Road, look for a
variety of owls, Ruffed and Blue Grouse, and nesting Hooded Mergansers
on a pond). Beaver ponds and associated wet-habitat along Sherman Creek
near Camp Growden should additionally provide Willow Flycatcher,
MacGillivray’s Warbler, and American Dipper; moose are also a
possibility.
KETTLE RIVER TO TOGO MOUNTAIN - [Day Trip 5] From the US 395/Hwy 20
junction west of Kettle Falls, follow the Kettle River north along US
395 from its southern terminus at FDR Lake to the Kamloops Island
Campground (~ 6 miles from the junction, p 470) and, once back on US
395, proceed another 16 miles to Hughes (~ 3.5 miles north of Orient);
turn east on Sand Creek Road at its junction with US 395 (and Little
Boulder Creek Road going west to Togo Mtn.); proceed east on Sand Creek
Road as it passes Taylor Lake and in ~4 miles intersects Pierre Lake
Road; travel south on the (Barstow)-Pierre Lake Road for ~1-2 miles to
the lake, campground, and marsh at its southern end (p 471); return to
US 395 and cross (west) to Little Boulder Creek Road (FS#300/9576);
follow this road uphill bearing right [west] at the first fork (~1.1
miles) and left [south] at the next (another ~2.7 miles). You are now
on Kerry Creek Road (FS#9576) and at the next main fork (~3.5 miles), go
right [north] on FS#9576 (not straight ahead [west] on FS# 300) and in
0.4 miles check out the area for finches (esp., both crossbills).
Return to the FS#300/9576 junction and turn right [west] on FS#300 and
travel west for a total of 2.0 miles to its junction with FS#320 on your
south/left; bypass this turnoff, cross the cattle guard straight ahead,
continue west on FS#300 for just 0.2 miles, and park at the next
junction where an old road (to the top of Togo Mtn., p 470) takes off to
the right [north]. Once you have hiked the gently sloped road to the
top of Togo (~3 miles), you can begin the return trip to Republic by
either backtracking to US 395, or you can proceed west on FS#300/450
from its junction with the Togo Mtn Road. FS#300/450 initially goes
west, but soon turns south along the western flanks of Green and Marble
Mtns. and eventually merges with Taylor Ridge Road (FS#6120~4 miles).
Continue south to its junction (~3 miles) with the Deer Creek/Boulder
Creek Road (FS#61) and turn right [west] to Curlew (~10 miles).
Species found at the Kamloops Island Campground and upstream along the
Kettle River have been described for Trip 4. Those found in the Pierre
Lake region include Barrow’s Goldeneye, Pileated and other woodpeckers,
Ruffed Grouse, Willow and other Flycatchers, Swainson’s Thrush, and a
variety of warblers including Common Yellowthroat. During June, any of
the three grouse species, both crossbills, Northern Goshawk, Northern
Pygmy-Owl, and a variety of relatively dry, coniferous forest passerines
can be found along the route to the Togo Mtn. road. The pleasant hike
to the summit of Togo Mtn. should produce American Three-toed Woodpecker
in lodgepole during the last mile to the top, Northern Pygmy-Owl (lower
stretches), Yellow-rumped and Townsend’s Warblers, Hermit and Varied
Thrushes, Townsend’s Solitaire (open, grassy areas near/at the top),
Spruce and esp. Blue Grouse (be sure to concentrate on mini-draws on
your uphill [right-hand] side where aspen is mixed in with spruce & fir
and look in the spruce boughs on your downhill [left-hand] side), and
Boreal Owl (heard near the summit). Species noted for Trip 4 at Canyon
Creek Campground, Bangs Mtn. Road, Camp Growden CCC and Albian Hill Road
can be sampled as time allows on the return from Togo via US 395 & Hwy
20.
WAUCONDA TO LOST LAKE - [Day Trip 6] See pp 455-456. Proceed west from
Republic on Hwy 20 for some 17 miles to Wauconda; turn right [north] on
Toroda Creek Road and go ~14 miles to its junction with the
Oroville-Toroda Creek [a..k.a. Chesaw] Road (FS#32/3245); turn left
[west] and go ~4 miles to the junction with the Bonaparte Lake Road
(FS#32). Turn right [west] on Chesaw Road (FS#9480) for Beaver & Beth
Lakes [p 459]. Chesaw can be reached from Beth Lake (potential short
hikes on private property for possible Great Gray Owl) by continuing
northwest for ~8 miles. On the western outskirts of Chesaw [2-5 miles],
visit the Chesaw Wildlife Area [p 458]. From Chesaw, return south on
FS#9480 for over 2 miles and then, by staying right at the “Y” junction,
follow Myers Creek [a.k.a. Lost Lake] Road (FS#34; p 458) south to Lost
Lake [~4 miles; p 458-459]. Bonaparte Lake can be reached by proceeding
south along the eastern shoreline of Lost Lake on a combination of
FS#050 (~2 miles) and 070 (~2 miles) [or alternative to this
combination, FS#33 to their east]; when you reach FS#32, turn right
[southwest] and continue to Bonaparte Lake (1-2 miles) and the Virginia
Lilly Nature Trail [p 459]. (If time allows while in the Chesaw area,
it is possible to make a very birdy “loop” farther west to Molson Lakes
[p 458] via the Oroville-Toroda Creek and Molson Summit Roads [a.k.a.
Mary Ann Creek Road], then south to Teal [p 457] & Muskrat [p 457] Lakes
and the Sitzmark Ski Area [p 457] via a combination of Molson, Fletcher,
Davies and Kipling [a.k.a. Havillah] Roads and finally back to Chesaw
via Nealey or Myers Creek Roads.)
A great diversity of habitat types produces a terrific selection of
species: owls (Great Gray, Northern Pygmy-, Saw-whet, Barred,
Flammulated, and possible Long-eared), woodpeckers (American Three-toed,
Black-backed, & Pileated), Williamson’s Sapsucker, diving and dabbling
waterfowl (Barrow’s Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback), grebes
(Red-necked & Eared), Common Loon, Virginia Rail, Sora, Black Tern,
Ruffed and possibly Sharp-tailed Grouse, American Redstart, Northern
Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Lincoln’s Sparrow, bluebirds (Mountain
& Western), raptors (N. Harrier, Swainson’s & Red-tailed Hawks, Am.
Kestrel, Golden Eagle), Black Bear, deer, and possible Moose.
WAUCONDA/BUNCH ROAD TO HAVILLAH - [Day Trip 7; limited to 6 participants
on all 4 days, June 16-19] See pp 455-456. Proceed west from Republic
on Hwy 20 for some 17 miles to Wauconda; turn right [northeast] on
Toroda Creek Road and go ~4 miles to its junction with Bunch Road; turn
left [west] and proceed 1.8 miles to Lee Johnson’s property (210 Bunch
Road; short hikes for potential Great Gray Owl & Williamson’s Sapsucker
[both nested Sp 2005] and other birds characteristic of boreal forest,
cattail marsh and grassland). Continue west on Bunch Road (FS#020) to
its junction with the Virginia Lilly Nature Trail (FS#3240, p 459) and
explore the area for Black-backed Woodpecker and Great Gray Owl; proceed
south on Bonaparte Lake Road (FS#32) to Bonaparte Lake and bird the peat
bogs to its south (p 459; Osprey, Virginia Rail, Sora and Wilson’s
Snipe). Reverse direction and about 1 mile north of Bonaparte Lake,
turn left [northwest] on FS#070 (~2 miles) and FS#050 (~2 miles) to
reach Lost Lake (p 458-459; Common Loon, Black Tern, Williamson’s
Sapsucker, American Three-toed Woodpecker). Proceed north on Myers
Creek Road (FS#34) about 4 miles to its junction with the
Oroville-Toroda Creek [a.k.a. Chesaw] Road and continue north to Chesaw
(bird the creek-side riparian habitat from ~1 mile south of the junction
to the outskirts of Chesaw for passerines [p 458; American Redstart,
Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Lincoln’s Sparrow]). From
Chesaw go west on Chesaw Road (~6-7 miles) to its intersection north
with Davies Road (Teal Lake, p 457) and south with Kipling Road; proceed
south and look for the alder bogs south of Teas Road on your right
[west] for Willow and potential Alder Flycatchers, Northern Waterthrush,
etc. Continue south to Muskrat Lake and the Sitzmark Ski Area (both p
457) and on Havillah Road to Havillah and the Highland Sno-Park (both pp
456-457). The latter site can be accessed by going southwest from
Havillah ~0.6 miles, then turning right [south] on FS#3230 at the
Sno-Park sign for ~1.5 miles (land on both sides of the road is
posted—we hope to gain permission to enter—otherwise mind your manners
and bird only from the road). The area from the turnoff on Havillah Road
to the Sno-Park is excellent for many “classy” species of woodpecker and
owl including Great Gray. Assuming this may be another winter light on
snow, the return trip may choose to continue south and eventually east
from the Sno-Park on FS#3230 (~12 miles) to join the Bonaparte Lake Road
(FS#32) south of the peat bogs noted above. To reach Wauconda, go south
on FS#32 ~1 mile to Hwy 20 and from their junction east ~3 miles.
Another even more adventurous return route might utilize a forest
service road that is accessed from just south of the Sno-Park on FS#3230
that climbs the northwest flanks of Bonaparte Mountain, descends its
northeastern flanks, and joins FS#100 just west of Bonaparte Lake.
Species observed on Trip 7 in large part mirror those noted for Trip 6
above.
NORTHPORT TO BIG MEADOW LAKE - [Day Trip 8] Proceed ~35 miles east from
Republic on Hwy 20 to the western outskirts of Kettle Falls; turn left
[north] on Hwy 25 and go about 27 miles to the Northport/Boundary
region. The potential here for very rare passerines with “eastern”
affinities as well as the usual suspects (e.g., see Sanpoil River
Valley, Trip 1) is so good and their locations so secret, that only the
leaders know!!! From Boundary, circle east on the Deep Lake-Boundary
Road to Cedar Lake, Leadpoint, and Deep Lake. Some 9 miles south of
Deep Lake (or ~1 mile north of Aladdin), turn left [east] from Aladdin
Road to Meadow Creek Road and proceed to Big Meadow Lake [~6 miles; pp
476 & 479-480]. Return by way of Aladdin Road to the Colville sewage
ponds and nearby river bottom for Bobolink, waterfowl, blackbirds, and
sparrows.
Look for Wild Turkey and Short-eared Owl along the Aladdin Road. The
Big Meadow Lake region, one of the most delightful to bird in all of
northeastern Washington, contains a rich diversity of habitats accessed
by flat trails meandering through forest edge around the lake and
through marsh & meadow at the west end of the lake. The wide variety
of birds include: breeding Common & Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bufflehead,
Red-necked Grebe, Common Loon, Barred Owl, Northern Goshawk, Osprey,
many swallow sp. including Tree, Virginia Rail, Sora, Lincoln’s Sparrow,
American Three-toed & Pileated Woodpecker, flycatchers (including
possible Least in the aspen beyond the west end of the lake), vireos,
chickadees including Chestnut-backed, Swainson’s & Hermit Thrushes,
warblers including Orange-crowned, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Townsend’s,
and MacGillivray’s as well as Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat,
& American Redstart, and Vaux’s and possibly Black Swift (if you’ve
eaten your Wheaties).
LITTLE PEND ORIELLE NWR TO AMAZON CREEK MARSH - [Day Trip 9] Drive 46
miles east of Republic on Hwy 20 & US 395 to Colville. From Colville,
the Little Pend Oreille NWR [pp 475-478; 281-285] can be accessed by
driving east on Hwy 20 ~6 miles to its intersection with Artman-Gibson
Road (about 0.5 miles east of White Mud Lake). Turn right [south] and
proceed ~1.6 miles to its junction with Kitt-Narcisse Road; turn left
[southeast] on the latter road and go 2.2.miles to the junction with
Bear Creek Road; again bear right [southeast] on the latter road for 3.2
miles to Refuge Headquarters (lakes encountered via this route including
White Mud, Hatch & Horse Thief all have their share of interesting
waterfowl and marsh-associated birds; p 475). From Headquarters, one
can take a “loop” of the refuge by continuing east on Bear Creek Road
(checkout Cottonwood Campground in 0.8 miles; p 475-476) to its junction
with Cliff Ridge Road (another 2.7 miles; p 477); turn right [south]
here and ascend a ridgeline that overlooks Bayley Lake; backtrack to the
last junction, turn right [east] and go 0.3 miles, and then take another
right turn for 0.9 miles to an observation tower at Potter’s Pond [moose
likely; p 477]. You may continue for 0.2 miles beyond the tower for
views of the north end of a large wetland and Bayley Lake. Backtrack to
the Bear Creek/Potter’s Pond Road junction (in June when we visit,
Rookery Road straight ahead [north] is gated to auto traffic to protect
nesting birds, but may be hiked through rich forest habitat sprinkled
with beaver ponds and other wet areas; p 477). To “continue the
loop!!!” backtrack to Headquarters and go 0.6 miles beyond, then turn
right [north] on Narcisse Creek Road and go 1.1 miles to a right turn
through a green gate where the road forks immediately ahead [east]. Two
excellent choices can be made here: (i) take the right branch on
Starvation Flat Road to River Camp and McDowell Lake (p 477) for more
wetland species, or (ii) take the left branch on Blacktail Mountain
Road (p 478) that begins in dry Ponderosa forest but after 7-8 miles
(and beyond) reaches wet coniferous forest that plays host to a vastly
different set of breeders including Spruce Grouse and American
Three-toed Woodpecker among the many. Backtrack to Narcisse Creek Road
and the “fork in the road”; veer right and proceed west 1.7 miles to
Kitt-Narcisse Road where a right turn [north] at the junction and 1.4
miles more will bring you to Hwy 20 about 9 miles east of Colville.
Turn right [east] on Hwy 20 and go ~9 miles before turning left [north]
on Black Lake Road (Barred Owls along this short, ~2 mile road to the
lake); immediately after making this turn, go right [east] on Amazon
Creek Road and bird the north and east sides of Amazon Creek Marsh for
perhaps 0.7 miles particularly for American Bittern, Red-eyed Vireo,
American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, Gray Catbird and MacGillivray’s
Warbler (p 478). Tacoma Creek Road (p 479) perhaps 1 mile east of
Amazon Marsh on your right [south] hosts specialties such as Barred and
Flammulated Owls, Spruce Grouse, and American Three-Toed Woodpecker in
appropriate habitat.
REPUBLIC & CURLEW LOCAL DESTINATIONS - [Day Trip 10] Local destinations
on private property near Republic include scanning the sewage ponds for
waterfowl just south of the Hwy20/21 junction (turnoff 0.2 miles, p
463), wandering nearby private property on the riparian bottoms of the
headwaters of the Sanpoil for a rich variety of passerines (Tennessee
Warbler is nearly annual there during passage in May and has nested
once), and looking for Bobolinks in hayfields 2 miles south. From
Republic, drive ~2 miles north to Mud Lake and on to Curlew Lake
(waterfowl, grebes, blackbirds, sparrows, Great Blue Heron, Common
Yellowthroat and Yellow Warbler, Marsh Wren, Osprey). Next, proceed
north to Malo on Hwy 21 and go east on the South Fork Saint Peter Creek
Road (FS#2157) to the Mt. Leona burn for American Three-toed and other
woodpeckers. Return to Malo and proceed north to backyard hummingbird
feeders in Curlew (Rufous, Calliope, & Black-chinned). [If time allows,
proceed west on West Kettle River Rd, then south on Tonata Creek Road
(FS#2148) to Cargo Spring and continue on FS#102/701 to N. Fork Granite
Creek]. This trip is intended for Republic residents new to birding and
any WOS members who may be new to birding or wish to travel at a slower
pace.
OWLING: HAVILLAH - [Evening Trip O-1] Evening search for Great Gray,
Barred, and perhaps Northern Saw-whet or Long-eared Owls in the Havillah
and perhaps Bonaparte Lake areas. See Day Trips 6 & 7 for remarks
pertinent to the area & owls. (waning moon; sun-down ~8:52 PM PDT).
OWLING: SWAN LAKE - [Evening Trip O-2] Evening search for Flammulated,
Northern Pygmy-, and Barred Owls in the Swan Lake area. See remarks
pertinent to Scatter Creek, Day Trip 2 for for a description of this
area close to Republic. (waning moon; sun-down ~8:52 PM PDT).
OWLING: BEAVER VALLEY TO CHESAW - [Evening Trip O-3] Evening search for
Great Gray, Barred, Northern Pygmy-, Northern Saw-whet, and Flammulated
Owls from Toroda Creek and Beaver Valley to Chesaw. See Day Trips 6 & 7
for remarks pertinent to the area & owls. (waning moon; sun-down ~8:52
PM PDT).
SPEAKER
We are most pleased to have as our
Saturday, June 17th, banquet speaker Chris Loggers, Wildlife Biologist
with the Colville National Forest. He will discuss the natural history
of the various areas of northeastern Washington that WOS Conference
field trips will visit, minimally from eastern Okanogan to western Pend
Orielle Counties.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN AND NEAR
REPUBLIC
Conference attendees must make
their own reservations by personally contacting the facilities listed
below. You must mention the WOS Conference room block to obtain the
special rates or block reservation considerations.
Prospector’s Inn: 979 S. Clark Ave., Republic, WA
99166, (509) 775-3361 or 1-(888)-844-6480,
www.theprospectorinn.com;
contact Valerie Hester (owner/manager); 23 rooms + 5 suites; rates are
$48/room for a single, $53/room for a couple with one bed, or $59-$70
for a quartet with 2 beds, 20 (of the 23 available) rooms are blocked
for all 4 nights; reservations made before May 1, 2006 will receive a
10% discount; continental breakfast includes unlimited amounts of hard
boiled eggs, 4 types of cereal, sweet rolls, toast, coffee, fruit, etc.
and will be open at 4 AM in the conference room (back/first floor); PC
connections, microwave & refrigerator in each room, laundry facilities,
sauna, jacuzzi.
Northern Inn: 852 S. Clark Ave., (509) 775-3371,
1-(888)-801-1068 [reservations],
www.northern-inn.com;
contact Kathy & Andre Ciais (owner/manager); 25 rooms; 8 rooms blocked
for Thursday & Sunday nights (6/15 & 18), 15 for Friday & Saturday
nights (6/16 & 17); rates, $50/room for one, $55/room for two; most
rooms have 2 queen beds; there is one handicapped room; all have PC
connections, refrigerator & microwave (but no continental breakfast).
Klondike Motel: 150 N. Clark Ave.,
(509) 775-3555 or 1-(800)-213-2812 [reservations], fax (509) 775-2636,
owners Rock & Darlene Gliddon; about 15 rooms total; rates: $42 for
singles & $44 to 54 for twosomes, kitchenettes in 5 rooms (a unique
advantage among the three motels); no blocked rooms. The Allot Bed &
Breakfast, Greg & Jerri Anderson, 69 Fish Hatchery Rd., Republic 99166,
(509) 775-2556 or 2555.
K-Diamond-K Guest Ranch: 15661 Hwy 21, South
Republic, (509) 775-3536 or 1-(888)-345-5355,
www.kdiamondk.com, 2 elegant bedrooms
both upstairs and downstairs in the ranch house-each pair with shared
bath for those desiring the lap-of-luxury in a beautiful lodge
constructed completely of log-design, $125/nite, guests have free roam
of 2 square miles of Sanpoil River bottom and bordering pine forest
contiguous with Colville NF (i.e., no limitations on access); RV or
other self-contained camper sites also available on the lodge grounds
(no hook-ups).
CABINS, RV PARKS, AND CAMPGROUNDS
NEAR REPUBLIC:
Curlew Lake S. P.: ~ 10 mi
northeast of Republic on Hwy 21, campground with restrooms & showers, 82
campsites-18 with full hook-ups.
Tiffany’s Resort: 58 Tiffany Rd., (509) 775-3152,
www.tiffanysresort.com;
lakeside cabins and RV sites on Curlew Lake.
Fisherman’s Cove Resort: 15
Fisherman’s Cove Rd., (509) 775-3641; on Curlew Lake 11 miles northeast
of Republic on Hwy 21, cabins, RV hookups, laundry, fishing supplies,
boat motor rentals, restaurant & espresso.
Millers RV Park & Campground:
www.millersrvpark.com;
located on Curlew Lake, offers all amenities.
Black Beach Resort and RV Park: 80 Black Beach
Rd., (509) 775-3989,
bbresort@televar.com,
www.blackbeachresort.com,
Al & Sharon Collins (owners), located on Curlew Lake.
Swan Lake & Ferry Lake NF
campgrounds; located about 7 mi. south of Republic on Hwy 21 and then
west on Scatter Creek Rd. about 5 miles.
Ten Mile NF campground: located
about 10 miles south of Republic on Hwy 21.
Ferry County Fair Campground: (Site of Fair
Pavilion) Tent camping, RV hookups (no disposal), Restrooms and showers.
More info at
www.ferrycountyfair.com.
MEALS
Meals include box breakfasts and
lunches on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and catered, (may be buffet)
banquet dinners on the same evenings. Boxed meals may be picked up in
the Fairgrounds Pavilion at 4 AM prior to departure on the appropriate
field trip which leaves from the Pavilion at 5 AM. If you order both a
breakfast and lunch, we recommend that you bring a back pack or shopping
bag to carry your boxes. All meals on Monday are left to the birder’s
choice from among local delis, markets, restaurants, etc. Storage of
food items in one’s motel room refrigerator for use on Monday
(Get-Away-Day) is one alternative. Price of meals catered from the
Pavilion includes tax and gratuity.
Breakfast - $8.50 each Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday mornings: box breakfast includes a protein such as
a hard boiled egg or quiche, fresh fruit, muffin, yogurt, juice, and
coffee or tea will be available.
Lunch - $10.00 each Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday: box lunch includes sandwich (choose turkey, ham,
roast beef, or vegetarian), carrot and celery sticks, chips, cookie, and
dried fruit (eg., box of raisins) and drink. Note that WOS is NOT
supplying leaders with bottled water on any trips—You must bring your
own water or pop.
Dinner - $20.00 each Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday: dinner includes entrée (choose chicken, ham, roast
beef, or vegetarian entree), salad, vegetable, starch, rolls and butter,
coffee and tea, and dessert. Note that there will be no bar at the
Pavilion, but if you wish alcoholic beverages you must bring your own,
e.g., in a cooler chest.
RESTAURANTS WITHIN REPUBLIC:
Hitch’n Post Restaurant & Lounge:
628 S. Clark Ave., 775- ,Tavern Atmosphere with a great little Steak
Dinner.
Esther’s Mexican-American
Restaurant & Cantina: 90 N. Clark Ave., 775-2088, not open Sundays or
late in the evening, inexpensive, great food, surprisingly long menu of
both Mexican & American entrees and terrific selection of beers & ales.
Hometown Pizza: 18 N. Clark Ave.,
775-2557, not open Sundays or late in the evening, inexpensive, good
menu for pizza, salad bar, sandwiches.
Sportsman’s Roost: 645 S. Clark
Ave., 775-0404, Family Dining with Lounge in Back.
Eich’s Ice Cream Parlor & Deli: 15
N. Clark Ave., 775-2846, deli, ice cream and espresso.
Madonna’s Bar & Grill: 627 S.
Clarke Ave., 775-0125, Tavern.
Kettle Crust Bakery: 34 N. Clark
Ave., 775-3754, bakery, natural & organic food, lunch specials.
RESTAURANTS OUTSIDE REPUBLIC:
Curlew Saloon (& Grill): in Curlew
at 4 River St. (23 miles east and north of Republic on Hwy 21),
779-4551, overall the best restaurant in northeastern Washington.
Pine Grove Junction Restaurant: 775-3304, fax:
(509)-775-2881,
pinegrove@pwi.net,
open 7AM to 8 PM daily, all meals but probably not open at 4 AM for
breakfast, situated 2.5 miles east of Republic at the eastern junctions
of Hwys 20/21, 5.7 miles south of Curlew Lake S.P., 2.7 miles south of
the south end of Curlew Lake and the access road to many private RV
parks on the west side of Curlew Lake.
Wauconda Store & Café: in Wauconda
(17 miles west of Republic on Hwy 20), 2360 Hwy 20, 486-4010 for good
food, homemade breads, pies, & soup—don’t let the rustic exterior of the
building mislead you (technically you are now in Okanogan Co.).
SUPER MARKET/GAS STATIONS/SPORTING
GOODS/LIQUOR STORES:
Anderson’s grocery & Deli:
775-3378, 711 S. Clark Ave., excellent grocery fare including deli,
espresso, & bakery.
Republic Liquor Store/Flowers Et
Cetera: 775-2587, gifts/flowers/only liquor store in Ferry Co.
There is one sporting goods store
along Clark Ave. between Esther’s Restaurant and Anderson’s
Super-Market.
Gas stations are also located on
Clark Ave. south of the Prospector’s Inn and at both the west and east
junctions of Hwys 20/21.
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