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Mileages listed with each field trip below are estimated round-trip distances, leaving from and returning to the Red Lion. It is the responsibility of field trip participants to reimburse their driver. WOS recommends that drivers be reimbursed at a rate of $.25 per mile divided equally among the passengers in the car (not including the driver). For example, if a trip is 100 miles (round-trip total) and there are three passengers, each would contribute $8.33 for driver reimbursement. Field trip fees have been reduced to compensate for this change.
A number of trips involve walking a mile or two. If you are not able to walk on trails for a mile or so, please consider trips where no hiking is mentioned. Among trips that involve hiking are Burch Mountain, Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee, Mission Creek, and Number Two Canyon. Make sure you wear good footwear and carry water for areas that require hiking.
High clearance vehicles will be needed on the Burch Mountain, Swakane Canyon, and Colockum Pass trips.
In order to optimize the birding experience for participants, carpooling will be utilized for all field trips. All field trips will depart from the Red Lion Hotel in Wenatchee. Trips and trip leaders may be subject to change. If you possess a US Forest Service Pass or a WDFW sticker, please bring it/them. Also, if you have FRS radios, please bring them.
Day trips leave from the Red Lion at 5:30 AM (sunrise is around 5:05 AM). Owling trips leave from the Red Lion at 8:30 PM (sundown is around 9:00 PM). Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your field trip departure time.
The Trips
Entiat River {ER} Chelan County (120 miles) This trip is offered both Saturday and Sunday. We will drive to Silver Falls, where Harlequin Ducks breed in the Entiat River and Black Swifts nest under the falls (best seen at dusk), then backtrack to Mud Creek, where we'll stop frequently for a great diversity of typical central Washington shrub/riparian/woodland species incuding Orange-crowned Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, both bluebirds, MacGillivray's Warbler, Veery, Lazuli Bunting, and Cassin's Finch. Higher in mixed conifer forest, expect Hammond's and Dusky flycatcher, Western Tanager, Swainson's Thrush, and Red-naped Sapsucker. Other woodpeckers are possible including Black-backed and White-headed. On the Johnson Creek side, expect good looks at Lewis's Woodpecker. May include Lake Chelan State Park if time permits. Leader Saturday: Tim O'Brien Leader Sunday: Brad Waggoner
Mission Creek {MK} Chelan County (40 miles) This trip is offered both Saturday and Sunday. High clearance vehicles are needed for this trip. We will hike up Crow Canyon off Mission Creek south of Cashmere. The road washed out in early 2009 so depending on the road, we may need to hike a mile or so to reach this excellent woodland birding canyon. Species to expect include Ruffed and Dusky grouse, Williamson's and Red-naped sapsucker, White-headed and Black-backed woodpecker, Olive-sided and Gray flycatcher, Cassin's and Warbling vireo, White-breasted and Pygmy nuthatch, seven warbler species, Hermit Thrush, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Purple and Cassin's finch, and Red Crosbill. Leader both Saturday and Sunday: Janet Millard
Number Two Canyon {NC} Chelan County (25 miles) This trip is offered both Saturday and Sunday. We will start birding just outside of Wenatchee above the gun club, where Ash-throated Flycatcher has bred in the past. Excellent riparian patches will be worked as we slowly move up this fairly steep canyon, encountering Yellow-breasted Chat, Bullock's Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, Canyon Wren, Vesper Sparrow, and Veery. The pine woodlands are productive and must be reached by about a mile-long hike past a locked gate. Species include Williamson's Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Chipping Sparrow, Western Tanager, Dusky Flycatcher, Calliope and Rufous hummingbird, Townsend's Solitaire, Cassin's Finch, and a possible Northern Goshawk. Leader Saturday: Gene Hunn Leader Sunday: Jim Danzenbaker
Lake Chelan {LC} Chelan County (120 miles) This trip is offered both Saturday and Sunday. We will start in Lake Chelan State Park for woodland species such as MacGillivray's Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black-chinned Hummingbird, and White-headed Woodpecker. A short trip up Number One Canyon can produce American Dipper, Clark's Nutcracker,and other higher-elevation species. The remainer of the trip up the north side and down the south side of Chelan Butte should produce Lewis's Woodpecker, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Western Kingbird, Vesper and Brewer's sparrow, and Bullock's Oriole. Leader Saturday: Brad Waggoner Leader Sunday: Tim O'Brien
Badger Mountain {BM} Douglas County (110 miles) This trip is offered Friday, Sunday, and Monday. We will start in the Beaver Creek/Indian Camp area, which has thick riparian habitat with aspen and the concomitant House Wren, Veery (best place in Douglas County to find one), Gray Catbird, and Red-naped Sapsucker. Least Flycatcher has been a fairly regular breeder at Indian Camp. Between Indian Camp and Duffy Creek, watch for Lewis's Woodpecker, Gray Flycatcher, and Cassin's Finch. Upper Duffy Creek has Grasshopper Sparrow in the grassy/shrubby areas. We will then head down Titchenal Canyon watching for Dusky Flycatcher, and at Alstown, look for Willow Flycatcher in the riparian of upper Douglas Creek. The short hop over Road 3 to Road H and down Road H should produce Vesper Sparrow, Swainson's Hawk, Northern Harrier, and a possible Short-eared Owl. Greater Sage Grouse are quite common here, but not seen often. Upper Douglas Creek boasts a list of over 100 species including the common breeders: Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, Rock Wren, Chukar, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, and Lark Sparrow. Back up Road H to Hwy. 2 and back to East Wenatchee via Badger Mountain (best birding is near the ski hill) should produce Calliope Hummingbird, Western Tanager, Cassin's Finch, Dusky Flycatcher, and Red Crossbill, all good Douglas County birds. Leader Friday: Michael Hobbs Leader Sunday: Bruce LaBar Leader Monday: George Gerdts
Leavenworth/Icicle Creek {LI} Chelan County (100 miles) This trip is offered both Friday and Saturday. We will start with an early morning walk through the Leavenworth parks for Osprey, Common Merganser, Wood Duck, Spotted Sandpiper, Gray Catbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Veery, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, and Yellow Warbler. Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Trail should produce Rufous Hummingbird, Common Goldeneye, Eastern Kingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Gray Catbird, Bullock's Oriole, American Dipper, Chipping Sparrow, and much more. A short hike from the hatchery to Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort should produce Black-chinned Hummingbird and White-headed Woodpecker. Birding farther up Icicle Creek depends on the extent of road repair after an extensive washout in 2008, but look for Golden Eagle and Black, Vaux's, and White-throated swift. Some moderate hiking is involved in this tirp. Leader Friday: Kevin Aanerud Leader Saturday: Mike and MerryLynn Denny
Waterville Plateau {WP} Douglas County (150 miles) This trip is offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This trip will explore the shrub/steppe, grasslands, and canyons of the Waterville Plateau. While many people are familiar with winter birding on the plateau, spring also offers many interesting upland species, including Grasshopper Sparrow, Sage Grouse, Sage Thrasher, and Loggerhead Shrike. Douglas Creek, known for its diversity of riparian migrants and breeders, will be explored. Stops at lakes on the plateau, including Jameson and Stallard, will produce breeding waterfowl and shorebirds. Leader Friday and Saturday: Scott Downes Leader Sunday: Mike and MerryLynn Denny
Moses Coulee {MC} Doulgas County (120 m iles) This trip is offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This trip will begin as we follow the Columbia River past Rock Island Dam and follow the corridor of Moses Coulee up Palisades Rd. to areas such as the McCartney Creek Preserve, a special access preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy. Stops will also include sagebrush flats and various places along Rim Rock Rd. Shrub/steppe specialties include Loggerhead Shrike, Sage Sparrow, and Sage Thrasher. Canyon species include White-throated Swift, Chukar, Prairie Falcon, and Golden Eagle. A diverse suite of riparian species will be found along McCartney Creek. Sunday trip participants will be able to observe some banding at a MAPS station in McCartney Creek, allowing for close-up views of some riparian species. Leader Friday: Dave St. George Leader Saturday: Dan Stephens Leader Sunday: Scott Downes
Lake Wenatchee {LW} Chelan County (130 miles) This trip is offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We will bird several forest/riparian areas around Lake Wenatchee including Upper Meadow Creek, finding Winter Wren, Varied Thrush, and Chestnut-backed Chickadee, as well as Olive-sided Flycatcher, "Slate-colored" Fox Sparrow, and a good chance at hybrid Red-naped/Red-breasted Sapsucker. Fish Lake has Bald Eagle, Osprey, Common Yellowthroat, MacGillivary's Warbler, Black Swift, waterfowl, and other wetland species in the extensive bog. Mill Creek and Cascade Meadow have nesting White-crowned and Fox sparrow. Look up for Black Swift any time on ths trip. There may be some hiking on this trip to Meadow Creek. Hiking would be a mile or less. Leader Friday: Heather Murphy Leader Saturday: Bruce LaBar Leader Sunday: George Gerdts
Swakane Canyon and Nahahum Canyon {SN} Chelan County (50 miles) This trip is offered both Saturday and Sunday. High clearance vehicles are needed for this trip. We will start at Rocky Reach Dam where Swakane Canyon empties into the Columbia. Canyon Wren, Yellow-breasted Chat, Bullock's Oriole, White-throated Swift, Chukar, Eastern Kingbird, and Black-billed Magpie can all be expected in the lower canyon. Mid-canyon should produce Lewis's Woodpecker, Calliope Hummingbird, Willow Flycatcher, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, Veery, Spotted Towhee, and Audubon's Warbler. The top should produce Nashville Warbler, Cassin's Finch, Pygmy Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow, Dusky Flycatcher, Warbling and Cassin's vireo, and Western Tanager, then it's back down to Cashmere to look for both bluebirds and Golden Eagles, which nest on Eagle Rock. Leader Saturday and Sunday: Matt Bartels
Field Sketching Workshop {WK} Saturday afternoon, June 12 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Do you have an interest in improving your field sketching abilities so you can better document that rare bird when a camera isn't handy or when the bird is too far away? Join local professional artist and wildlife biologist Heather Murphy at The Horan Natural Area for this Field Sketching Workshop. Please bring sketch pad or notebook and pen or pencil. Heather will instruct participants in the technique of doing quick accurate sketches to document field marks of species.
Blewett Pass {BP} Chelan/Kittitas Counties (120 miles) This trip is offered both Friday and Saturday. We will start birding about a mile north of Leavenworth on Mountain Home Rd, heading up Boundary Butte. Hummingbird feeders at homes along this road have produced all three of our breeding species. All three species of our swifts have been seen from the Icicle Valley overlook. The broken forest and meadows further along the road have produced Hairy, Lewis's, and White-headed woodpecker, hybrid sapsuckers, Olive-sided and Dusky flycatcher, Warbling and Cassin's vireo, White-breasted and Pygmy nuthatch, both bluebirds, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, seven warblers, "Slate-colored" Fox Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, and Cassin's Finch. This road comes out on Hwy. 97 near the Camas Meadow Rd. Camas Meadow and the old burn on the Camas Meadow Rd. have produced Williamson's Sapsucker as well as Black-backed, White-headed, and Pileated woodpecker. Camas Meadow is also good for bluebirds. Old Blewett Pass Rd. is good for a variety of mixed conifer forest species. The Friday trip will visit an active Spotted Owl nesting territory near Liberty, under the supervision of a US Forest Service biologist. Leader Friday: Brian Bell Leader Saturday: Jim Danzenbaker
Beezley Hills/Quincy Lakes {BQ} Douglas/Grant Counties (130 miles) This trip is offered Friday and Sunday. We will start birding along Lynch Coulee near Trinidad. This is shrub/steppe habitat, especially good for sparrows. The Beezley Hills Preserve, maintained by The Nature Conservancy, includes some of the most pristine shrub/steppe in Washington. Expect Savannah, Sage, Vesper, Brewer's, and Grasshopper sparrow, plus Horned Lark, Sage Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, Northern Harrier, and Swainson's Hawk. The Quincy Lakes area is good for breeding waterfowl such as Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Pied-billed Grebe. Leader Friday: Randy Hill Leader Sunday: Doug Schonewald
Burch Mountain {BN} Chelan County (30 miles) This trip is offererd both Sunday and Monday. High clearance vehicles are recommended. This trip will start just north of Wenatchee along a heavily rutted road up Burch Mountain. The shrub/steppe habitat along the lower stretches should produce Brewer's Lark, Vesper, and Savannah sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, and Horned Lark. Black-throated Sparrow has been reported mid-way up this road over the last few years. The woodlands at the top contain Calliope Hummingbird, Lewis's Woodpecker, Dusky Flycatcher, Pgymy Nuthatch, Townsend's Solitaire, Orange-crowned Warbler, Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, and Cassin's Finch. Leader Sunday: Dennis Paulson Leader Monday: Wilson Cady
Colockum Pass {CP} Chelan/Kittitas Counties (50 miles) This trip is offered Saturday and Monday. High clearance vehicles are needed for this trip. The trip will start in the lower stretches of Colockum Creek near the WSU Colockum Unit Research Area, where the typical riparian species of central Washington can be found, including Yellow-breasted Chat, Bullock's Oriole, and Black-headed Grosbeak. Farther up this rough wagon trail road, Wild Turkey can be seen. The upper Tarpiscan Creek drainage is good habitat for woodland species, including Cassin's Finch, three species of nuthatch, chickadees, and both bluebirds. Depending on snow levels, the trip will go all the way to Colockum Pass, where high elevation forest species can be seen. Leader Saturday: Doug Schonewald Leader Monday: Michael Hobbs
Wenatchee Hot Spots {WS} Chelan/Douglas Counties This is mostly a walking trip. Driving distance: 20 miles. Walking distance: 4-5 miles. This trip is offered Friday, Saturday, and Monday. Early morning hikes will provide some excellent riparian birding. The best birding is in the Horan Natural Area along the south side of the Wenatchee River at the confluence (part of Confluence State Park). The park is an important migratory stopover and many rarities have been recorded here. The park bird list contains an impressive 230 species. Target species are Black-crowned Night-Heron, Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Osprey, Spotted Sandpiper, Vaux's Swift, Western Wood-pewee, Say's Phoebe, Eatern Kingbird, Tree, Northern Rough-winged, Bank,and Cliff swallow, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Black-headed Grosbeak, and probably at least one surprise. As time allows, portions of the Eastern Wenatchee Loop Trail will be explored. This is a half-day trip, expected to get back around 1:00 PM, and can be paired with the field sketching tirp on Saturday afternoon fron 2 to 4 PM. Leader Friday: Gene Hunn Leader Saturday: Dennis Paulson Leader Monday: Tim O'Brien
Eagle Creek {OW1} Chelan County (70 miles) This trip is offered both Friday and Saturday nights. We will explore forested habitats in Eagle Creek north of Leavenworth. A diverse suite of owls will be looked for, but Flammulated Owl is likely and will be a focus of the trip. Leader both Friday and Saturday: Aja Woodrow
Moses Coulee {OW2} Douglas County (100 miles) This trip is offered only Friday night. This trip will venture to the McCartney Creek Preserve described in the Moses Coulee daytime trip write-up. We will focus on Common Poorwill and on the Spotted Bat, a unique species of bat typically found in the high canyon corridors of Moses Coulee, and the only bat that has calls audible to the human ear. Come enjoy this unique twist to a night experience! Leader Friday: Dave St. George
Colockum Pass {OW3} Chelan County (30 miles) This trip is offered only Saturday night. This trip will explore the same route as the day trip. Common Poorwills will be searched for. Owl species in the lower areas may include Long-eared and Western Screech. Northern Saw-whet Owls will be targeted if snow levels allow the trip to reach the upper elevation forest habitats. Leader Saturday: Gene Hunn
Liberty/Blewett Pass {OW4} Kittitas/Chelan Counties (110 miles) This trip is offered only Sunday night. The Liberty area and Blewett Pass have one of the most diverse assemblages of owl species in Washington. The trip may net as many as six species including Barred, Long-eared, Northern Saw-whet, and Flammulated. Common Poorwill is also likely. While Spotted Owls are known to exist in this area, the night-time trip will not target this species. If you want to see Spotted Owl, sign up for the Friday Blewett Pass daytime trip, conducted under the supervision of the US Forest Service. Leader Sunday: Jamie Acker
Going Home - West Side 1 {W1} Chelan/King/Snohomish Counties We will travel Hwy. 2, covering some of the same stops as the Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth trips. (See those trips for possible species.) Stops will be made at Stevens Pass to try for a diverse suite of warblers and sparrows. Additional stops will be made along Hwy. 2 on the west side of the Cascades as time and interest allow. Leader Monday: Brian Bell
Going Home - West Side 2 {W2} Chelan/Okanogan/Skagit Counties This trip will head north, passing Lake Chelan and heading through the Methow Valley. We may explore various places in the Methow Valley before climbing up Rainy and Washington Passes. Potential species on these passes include American Three-toed Woodpecker and Pine Grosbeak. Additional stops including at the County Lines Ponds for Red-eyed Vireo and American Redstart, and at Marblemount, may be included as time and interest allow. Leader Monday: Gene Hunn
Going Home - East Side 1 {E} Adams, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas Counties This trip will focus on the shrub/steppe, Columbia River, and wetlands of the Columbia Basin. We will start by going down the Columbia with stops at Rock Island and a tour through the Beezley Hills and Quincy WRA. We will stop at Vantage and head towards Othello, with possible stops around Columbia NWR for nesting waterfowl and shorebirds. Trip will end in Othello. Leader Monday: Randy Hill
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A
large selection of field trips is being offered: 38 day-time trips
to 15 different locations, and five night trips to four locations.
As with previous conferences, field trips are limited to 12
individuals in three autos for daylight trips and six in two autos
for owling adventures - so register early! Be sure to indicate
alternative choices for your field trips.
