This is a route which was developed by the East Cascades Audubon Society to survey winter raptors.  It begins on US 2 approximately six miles east of Moses Coulee at J Rd.SE, makes a loop south, west, and back to US 2, then east to the junction with SR 17. Going north, it covers several miles both east and west of SR 17, up to SR 172 (Rd 14NE). Total length of this route is 112 miles.

Access:

From the West: From US 97 along the east side of the Columbia River travel to Orondo (about 17 miles north of downtown Wenatchee). In Orondo, turn east on US 2 and travel 38 miles to J Rd SE (at the abandoned Highland School House).

From the East: From Coulee City on US 2 (92 miles west of junction with I-90 in Spokane), drive 12 miles west to J Rd SE (at the abandoned Highland School House).

Logistics:

Many of the roads in this area have two names. They all have the designated county name. Roads marked with letters of the alphabet run north and south, numbered roads run east and west. But many have acquired local names as well.

Since this is a winter driving route, it was developed with information from the Douglas County snow plow map.  While these roads are usually open in the winter, if there is a very heavy snowfall, they might not be plowed or drivable. Please use caution.

With the exception of US 2 and SR 17, which are heavily traveled, this route covers many miles of unoccupied land. There is usually not a problem with stopping the car to observe, being respectful of the private farmland.

In the winter, there are no restroom facilities available anywhere along this route except at Coulee City Park, which has restrooms open all year.

Major habitats:

Fire scarred land – Some land is rejuvenating, but there are areas showing burn and ash.

Agricultural fields – mainly dryland wheat

Shrub-steppe – dominated by sagebrush and/or bitterbrush and grasses and forbs

Wetlands

Species observed:

Rough-legged hawk, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, American kestrel, golden eagle, gyrfalcon, snowy owl, prairie falcon.

Areas of Note:

Atkins Lake area.  The water level in the lake fluctuates from year to year, depending on the amount of snow and water available. Some years there is no water, and other years the lake is full and frozen over. Look for snowy owls sitting on the rock piles within this circled area. They also sit on the frozen lake and along road M to the east. Please be respectful of the farmland. The farmer who is situated at the intersection of L Rd NE and Rd One NE becomes very irritated when snowy owl observers trespass across his land.

Look for snowy owls and gyrfalcon on both sides of L Rd NE (Woods/Heritage).

American kestrels can be spotted around the farms at these locations.