Pacific Northwest Trip: Explore Okanogan

*This is a full service trip. Lodging, breakfast and lunch, transportation, park entrance fees and the services of your skilled Bird Alliance of Oregon leaders is included. Dinners and alcoholic beverages are your responsibility.

Join us to explore one of the most spectacular and productive areas of the Pacific Northwest for birding: the Okanogan. This mid/late June trip features the many habitats of the area, including grasslands, forests, high elevation, wetlands, and shrub-steppe. We should expect to see 150 species of birds and an assortment of colorful butterflies and wildflowers. This trip offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the region.

Birding Through Central Washington Our adventure begins as we bird our way up to Ellensburg, with stops at Brooks State Park, Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), and Robinson Canyon. These locations offer diverse habitats that provide an excellent introduction to the avian diversity of Central Washington. As we settle in for the night at the Best Western Plus in Ellensburg, we will head out after dinner to try for the elusive Common Poorwill.

Okanogan Highlands and Surrounding Valleys For the next few days, we’ll be based out of the Best Western Plus in Omak. From here, we will explore the Okanogan Highlands, the Sinlahekin Valley, and Cameron Lake Road—each offering its unique mix of habitats and birding opportunities. These areas are known for their outstanding birding, where we will search for regional specialties such as Bobolink, Williamson’s Sapsucker, forest grouse, Least Flycatcher, Veery, and Clay-colored Sparrow. We’ll also try our luck at spotting the elusive Boreal Chickadee and Three-toed Woodpecker, both will require a little luck.

Nespelem to the Grand Coulee On our final day, we’ll start our morning in Nespelem before heading south along the Grand Coulee. This route offers one last chance to soak in the diverse birdlife and geological wonders of the region. As we approach Othello, we’ll try for Tricolored Blackbird, a fitting finale to our journey through one of the Pacific Northwest’s best summer birding destinations.

This trip is designed to cater to both avid birders and nature enthusiasts, promising a memorable experience filled with exciting bird sightings, vibrant wildflowers, and scenic vistas. Please join us for this birding adventure in the Okanogan!