Birders' top spots: Swakane Canyon

JOHN AND KAREN HOLLINGSWORTH / U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE The western kingbird is among the species spotted at Swakane Canyon, northeast of Wenatchee.

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Location: Northeast of Wenatchee.

Habitat: Part of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's 19,200-acre Swakane and Entiat Wildlife Areas. Rugged, shrub-steppe canyon walls with ponderosa pine, and narrow band of deciduous foliage along creek.

Best seasons for birding: Spring through fall.

Birds seen: Spring and summer species include veery, warbling vireo, MacGillivray's warbler, yellow-breasted chat, dusky flycatcher, western wood-pewee, Say's phoebe, eastern and western kingbird, black-headed grosbeak, Brewer's sparrow, western meadowlark, bullock's oriole, house and Cassin's finch, and chukar. Golden eagles and other raptors often soar above hills.

Viewing tip: From deserted hay barn, walk on old road down to creek, or up hill to grove of pine trees. Watch for bighorn sheep on canyon walls.

Getting there: From Wenatchee, take Alternative Highway 97 to Milepost 205, and turn west onto Swakane Canyon Road. Drive 2.8 miles. Park at hay barn. Road becomes four-wheel-drive only, after barn.

Source: Audubon Washington. For free maps of Washington birding sites, call 866-922-4737 and ask for Great Washington State Birding Trail maps ("Cascade Loop" or "Coulee Corridor"), or request online at www.wa.audubon.org.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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