Winter Birding, Okanogan Highlands, Washington

Winter birding is becoming more popular in the Okanogan Highlands of Washington as more information is available.  A quick web search will show data back to the late 1940's for the Okanogan Highlands.  Winter visitors have been rewarded with a variety of owls, hawks, Bohemian Waxwings, young and mature Eagles, grouse, partridges, snow buntings, pine grosbeaks, Northern Goshawk, Common and Hoary Red-polls, and sometimes wood peckers.  There are also mag-pies and ravens.  The local rodent and squirrel populations have been high and although coyote hunt vigorously, the predator birds have been doing well too.

Bald Eagles migrate early and sometimes find a lot of snow. Traditional experienced birders historically have traveled winter routes yielding excellent viewing variety such as Mary Anne Creek Road, Highland Sno-park, Myers Creek area and Bolster Road.  The local birders travel a few more roads including Lost Lake Road, Davies Road, Fletcher Hill Road, Dry Gulch Road, Molson Road and on to Nine Mile Road plus others.  Eden Valley Guest Ranch is the perfect place to stay for a Highland birding adventure.  We also have some free maps available to anyone visiting that asks.

If you wish to bring a group, see our catering options under groups and meetings.

Eden Valley now keeps a local bird sighting notebook on the Reference Table in the Lodge created with data from guests willing to share information about their adventures.  We keep lists of text, pictures, comments, suggestions and birding book recommendations.

Be prepared in winter for rural area conditions.  Dress in layers.  Carry some water, food and blanket.  Roads traveled by school bus tend to be sanded and easier to drive than other roads.  Some roads in our area are called primative for a reason.  Keep your fuel gauge over half full.