Pacific Northwest Trip: Okanogan with Stefan Schlick
On this unique trip, we will look for butterflies, dragonflies and wildflowers en route and, of course, birds. There are many specialties in the area such as Least Flycatcher, Clay-colored Sparrow, American Redstart and Northern Waterthrush. Other trip targets include Bobolink, Veery, Black Swift, Dusky and Spruce Grouse, Common Poorwill, Tricolored Blackbird, woodpeckers, and many more.
En route from Portland to Ellensburg, we will make stops at Brooks Memorial State Park near Satus Pass (MacGillivray’s Warbler and Veery are possible) and Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge (Yellow-headed Blackbird). The Forest Discovery Trail on Blewett Pass will be a special treat in the morning. Dusky Flycatcher, Nashville Warbler and Black-backed Woodpecker are possible. We then drive north along the scenic Columbia River, checking out Chelan Falls for White-throated Swift and the Cassimer Bar in Bridgeport.
In the higher elevations, we will search for Boreal Chickadee and American Three-toed Woodpecker. We will also visit Long Swamp, a good area to look for Moose, but Lincoln’s Sparrow is a more realistic target. Near Loomis, a colony of Lewis’s Woodpeckers will be a special treat. The rest of the day we will spend in the Sinlahekin Valley, an area with several smaller lakes which will have many breeding lowland birds including Red-eyed Vireo, Bullock’s Oriole, Gray Catbird and Yellow-breasted Chat.
The early morning hours we will spend in and around Nespelem looking for Northern Waterthrush and American Redstart. Later in the day we’ll target high-elevation species such as Spruce Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker and Boreal Chickadee. We will need luck to see these three.
Okanogan Highlands will be the highlight of the trip for its serene beauty. Possibilities are Least Flycatcher, Clay-colored Sparrow and Bobolink. A few smaller lakes typically host a slew of waterfowl including both goldeneyes and maybe Black Tern. The coniferous portions of the Highlands may host Three-toed woodpeckers and Williamson’s Sapsucker.
On our second to last day, we will make an excursion to the Methow Valley where we will focus on Dusky Grouse and Black Swift. We will be at lower elevation sites in the morning and then head up Hart’s Pass. Slate Peak is the highest elevation road in Washington and the area is very scenic. While a lot of the montane species could show up at this elevation, birds have been slow in recent years.
On our drive home, we will make some stops on the way taking the scenic route through the Lower Grand Coulee. We will stop at Dry Falls, one of the geological marvels of the state. At Soap Lake, we will look for the Eared Grebes and in Othello we will try to add Tricolored Blackbird to our list.
*This is a self-catered tour. Lodging (book ahead of time), meals, transportation, and park entrance fees are your responsibility. Stefan will send out details about where the group will meet-up, and then guide you through the wonders of birding in the Okanogan.
-
- Pacific Northwest Trip Policy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-safe Spotting Scope Policy
- Adult Education Mandatory COVID Guidelines
This outdoor program will follow all physical distancing and safety protocols dictated by the Oregon Health Administration. Masks required. Please feel free to bring your own spotting scope if you have one. Scroll down for details.
