Mansfield Raptor Route

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This is a route that was developed by the East Cascades Audubon Society to survey winter raptors.  It covers the territory branching out from the town of Mansfield. The route is 94 miles in length and extends from the border to the West Foster Creek Wildlife Area in the west, south to the north end of the Jameson Lake, north to the segment of Highway 17 between Terry Hayes Rd and Leahy Junction, and south and west past the town of Mansfield. 

Access and Logistics

This survey route can be accessed from many different locations: SR 17/SR174 to the north, SR 17 to the east, US 2 to the south, and Bridgeport Hill Road (B Rd NE) to the west. These directions give access to the town of Mansfield (on SR 172).  From that location, you can determine which is the closest access point for you.

From the West and South: 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 about 23 miles (through Waterville) to SR 172 at Farmer. Turn left on SR 172 and travel north and east 22 miles to the town of Mansfield.

From the East: from the intersection of US 2 and SR 17 (3.6 miles west of the town of Coulee City), travel north on SR 17 for 14 miles to SR 172. Turn left and travel 12 miles to the town of Mansfield.

From the North: from the intersection of SR 17 and SR 174 (Leahy Junction) travel south on SR 17 for 7.5 miles to SR 172. Turn right and travel 12 miles to the town of Mansfield.

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 very heavy snowfall, they might not be plowed or drivable. Please use caution.

It is best to observe from the car, as this route travels through private land, which should be respected.

In the winter, there are no restroom facilities available anywhere along this route. Even in the towns of Waterville and Mansfield, the park restrooms are closed in the winter. For facilities, one could drive to the towns of Grand Coulee, Coulee city, or to Coulee City Park, which has restrooms open all year. 

This route covers 14 miles on SR 17, which is a heavily traveled road with a high number of large trucks. It is not safe to stop along  SR 17 to observe birds. One can pull off on a crossroad to observe, or count raptors sitting on power poles along the highway.

Major habitats

Agricultural fields – mainly dryland wheat

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

Open water – Penny Lake, Bennet Lake, Jameson Lake

Wetlands

Basalt cliffs

Species observed

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

Route Segments

  • North Oil Road/Bridgeport Hill Road (B Rd.NE) east to Penny Lake and south to Mansfield.
    • Rolling hills, Penny Lake, and flat land north of Mansfield. 
    • Northern harriers, rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks, and bald eagles have been observed.
  • East on SR 172 to 3 miles to Rd H NE, then north 12 miles to SR 17.
    • The first 11 miles are rolling grasslands/agriculture and contain several erratics. Northern harriers, rough-legged and red-tailed hawks have been seen here. The rare gyrfalcon or snowy owl has also been seen sitting on an erratic.
    • The last three miles descend 400’, through rolling hills to SR 17 and East Foster Creek.
  • East 2.1 miles on SR 17 to Terry Hayes Rd. Turn south on Hayes Rd. and drive 1.5 miles to turn around point. Backtrack to SR 17.
    • After one mile, there are basalt cliffs on the east. Golden eagles have been spotted here.
  • East 11 miles on SR 17, through Leahy Junction, then south to SR 172 (Simms Corner). Then, west on SR 172 seven miles to K Rd NE.
    • Stay aware of traffic on these two busy roads. 
    • Red-tailed and rough-legged hawks can be seen sitting on the power poles and northern harriers can be seen flying just above the fields.
  • North on K Rd NE for four miles and east on Rd 18 NE for .5 mile. Then backtrack to SR 172.
    • Rolling grasslands/agriculture and contains several erratics.
    • Northern harriers, rough-legged and red-tailed hawks have been seen here. The rare gyrfalcon, snowy owl or bald eagle has also been seen sitting on an erratic.
  • West 5.5 miles on SR 172 to Mansfield, then southwest .8 mile on Railroad Ave. to Mansfield Blvd.
    • Rolling grasslands/agriculture and contains several erratics.
    • Northern harriers, rough-legged and red-tailed hawks.
    • On Railroad Ave. watch for American kestrels and the resident merlin.
  • South on Mansfield/Wittig Rd/N Jameson Lake Rd eight miles to Bennett Lake. Then, one more mile to Jameson Lake Resort. Backtrack to SR 172 at Mansfield.
    • Rolling grasslands/agriculture until Bennett Lake.
    • There are basalt cliffs from Bennett Lake until Jameson Lake.
    • Golden eagles are known to nest in the basalt nest to Bennett Lake.
    • Jameson Lake Resort is private, but no one has ever objected to our going there.
  • In Mansfield, turn west on SR 172 and travel 2 miles to C Rd NE. Turn south and travel 4.5 miles to Rd 9.5 NE. Turn west and drive to farm. This is the end of the survey route.
    • Agricultural fields.
    • Northern harriers have been seen here.