Yesterday we took a drive down the San Poil River to look for birds, in particular Yellow-breasted Chat, White-headed Woodpecker, Common Loon, Bullock’s Orioles, Canyon Wren and Rock Wren, as well as anybody else that might make an appearance. Basically we went from the very top of Ferry County in the north to the very bottom in the south a distance of about 75 miles by road. We added a bit with some side trips. There are so many climatic zones in this county and some of the scenery is just gorgeous. It’s a hidden gem for the east side of the Cascades. Shhhhhh. Don’t tell anybody!
Swan Lake has a pair of Common Loons, plus it’s just a really pretty campground. The far side of the lake experienced a forest fire a few years ago, like so much of the San Poil River drainage. No loons were visible and they weren’t calling either, so we moved on.
This lake is a few miles from Swan Lake and the mountains come right down to the edge of the water on both sides of the lake. It’s just gorgeous!
There are no motors allowed on the lake due to the presence of nesting loons and other waterfowl. This lake has a lot of fish in it and they are always jumping and chasing bugs flying above the water.
We just saw the one bird, and figure this is the male and his mate was sitting on her nest in the cattail marshes at the end of the lake. While we were watching him a fish jumped behind him and he swapped directions so fast, put his head down flat towards the water, opened his beak and raised his wings up a bit towards his head in a very aggressive crooked manner and he glared towards the offending trout.
We also saw a pair of Scaup and a pair of Ring-billed ducks on a smaller lake heading into Long Lake, and warblers in the brush near the side of Long Lake, but nothing else particularly special. No Swainson’s Thrush and they are usually pretty thick around the lake.
So we continued onward down the San Poil River.
It is always hit or miss for Canyon Wrens but this is one of the best places to find them in the rock slides along this particular stretch of water. This was a miss day.
The rock slides are impressive!
If I ever want rocks for the garden, I know where to find them. I’ve always wanted to build my own little Stonehenge in the backyard.
There are lots of Cliff Swallows nesting under the bridge which crosses the river at this location, and usually we hear Spotted Sandpipers.
We were a bit early for the Lupines. This Ponderosa Pine woodland gets carpeted with their beautiful purple/blue flowers when you visit at the right time, probably two weeks from now.
The woods is next to the river, and another neat thing we used to see here is a Bald Eagle nest. Unfortunately about five years ago there was a big wind storm which knocked the large tree over, and destroyed the nest and the babies. It was a tragedy.
No woodpeckers this day and we need to check out some other places on our next trip down the river.
So we continued south to the Swahila Basin which is ends at Lake Roosevelt, a large reservoir created by the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River.
We were not disappointed. There were at least a few pairs of Orioles in the brush, talking about the state of the world. This is a very bird filled spot on the otherwise dry hillsides, plus is smells wonderful with the blooming wild roses.
We continued on our path stopping at another location where Chats hang out.
I had to wonder how many ticks you would be covered in if you ventured into the heavily vegetated area. There are so many warblers and other birds in this little draw.
We didn’t stop at another place where the rocks split and form a deep small canyon next to the road, which is a reliable place for Canyon Wrens. We were hungry and wanting our lunch.
Next stop is along the side of Lake Roosevelt.
There’s always a Rock Wren along the rocks and we were not disappointed!
They were nibbling their way along the rocks. Circling them and playing all along the hillside were several Turkey Vultures. The goats should be worried.
This whole area is part of a big ranch which has a variety of interesting cattle, including some Long-Horns. Sometimes we drive further to see what else they have but today we did not go further along the road.
We also saw a Long-billed Curlew flying up-river. That was cool!
It’s all so green!!! In a matter of a couple of weeks at most, all the grass will turn brown and it becomes somewhat drab. But it smells good with all the sage brush.
What a fun day!