Cross the state to see tundra swans on 'Swan Lake'

Calispell Lake, Site 8 from the "Palouse to Pines Loop" of Audubon Washington's Great Washington State Birding Trail.

Location: Off U.S. Highway 2, 14 miles northwest of Newport, Pend Oreille County.

Habitat: 1,200 private acres with 500-acre seasonal lake, plus marsh and fields.

Best seasons for birding: Winter through summer.

Birds commonly seen: Mid-February to mid-April, 4,000 to 5,000 tundra swans gather here, joined by Canada geese, northern pintails, and wood ducks. Late spring, see breeding cinnamon, blue- and green-winged teal; hooded mergansers, red-necked grebes, and gadwalls. Find American bitterns in marsh, and sandhill cranes and Wilson's phalaropes in meadows. Black terns soar above. In summer see American white pelicans on lake, greater yellowlegs on shoreline. Area features small number of species unusual in Western Washington: prairie falcons, horned larks, Western meadowlarks, and rock wrens.

Viewing tips: Scan lake from behind fence; respect private property.

Special event this weekend: Join other swan lovers to visit this site, known locally as "Swan Lake," during Saturday's Tundra Swan Festival, co-hosted by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and the Pend Oreille River Tourism Alliance. Visitors will travel to the lake by bus, leaving at 10 a.m. from the nearby town of Usk. The local Duck Club will provide shore access. $10 for adults, $5 for children, with lunch provided. Reservations required; see www.porta-us.com/pages/activities/tundra_swan_day.asp.

Getting to the lake: From Highway 20 at Milepost 423.3 turn west onto Jared Road. Drive 0.7 mile. At 4-way intersection cross Highway 211 to continue on Jared Road. Drive 0.7 mile. Veer right onto unsigned Bennett Road. Drive 1.3 miles. Turn left onto McKenzie Road. Drive 1.1 miles. Turn left onto West Calispell Road. Overlook 1: Drive 1.2 miles. Park in pullout on right. Cross road to set up scope. Overlook 2: Continue 2.7 miles to pullout on left.

Source: Audubon Washington, Great Washington State Birding Trail maps. See maps online (or order hard copies, $4.95 apiece), at wa.audubon.org.