On Audubon trail, see spring birds (and Bird Fest) in Leavenworth

Waterfront Park, Site 15 from "Cascade Loop" of Audubon Washington's Great Washington State Birding Trail

Location: On edge of downtown Leavenworth, Chelan County.

Habitat: City park along Wenatchee River, including Blackbird Island; deciduous and ponderosa-pine forest, shrubs.

Best seasons for birding: Spring through fall.

Birds commonly seen: Woodland dwellers abound: red-breasted nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, veeries, red-eyed vireos, Swainson's thrushes, Bullock's orioles. Also find western tanagers, yellow warblers, cedar waxwings, gray catbirds, rufous and calliope hummingbirds. On river, watch for wood ducks in spring. Ospreys fish on summer evenings. Bald eagles feast on salmon in fall.

Viewing tips: Mornings are best. Follow 2.5 miles of trail along river, around and through island. Bridge offers good viewpoint for American dippers.

Festival this weekend: The Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest is Thursday through Sunday, based at Barn Beach Reserve, an environmental complex and arts center on Waterfront Park's northeast boundary. There's a full schedule of guided birding walks, boat outings, bus tours, birding-by-ear workshops and more. See www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com.

Getting there: Waterfront Park — From Highway 2 in Leavenworth, turn south onto Ninth Street. Turn right onto Commercial Street. Park at bottom of hill. Barn Beach Reserve — From Highway 2, at turn-signal intersection of Front Street/Chumstick Highway, turn south on Front Street. Drive three blocks, turn left onto Division and drive to end.

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