December 14, 1005 - January 10, 2006

• There have been a gaggle of snowy owl reports from all across the region in recent days. At least a dozen of the grand white birds have been spotted at Damon Point and Oyhut Wildlife Refuge Area near Ocean Shores, and five to seven have been hanging out since late November at the Nisqually River delta. Other snowy owls have been spotted on Marrowstone Island, at Ediz Hood in Port Angeles, and at the mouth of the Columbia River.
  
  Most winters, only a handful of snowy owls are seen in Washington state, but every several years there's an influx as they move south in search of food. They breed in the far north - where they feed primarily on lemmings - but sometimes move south when lemmings are in short supply. That may be the case this year, with so many owls spotted in Washington this year. In this state, snowy owls are usually sighted in open country that resembles their tundra homes, such as dunes, marshes, fields, plains and airports.

• More than 750 tundra swans at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Clark County in a single outing. Another spotted eight trumpeter swans and a single white-fronted goose flying fast to catch up with a formation of Canada geese over the River "S" Unit of the refuge. An assortment of sandhill cranes, red-shouldered hawks, bald eagles and great blue herons competed for the birders' attention on the auto loop, while five river otters chased one another across frozen ponds.

• Howard Ferguson of Spokane recently reported gray partridges, horned larks, tree sparrows, snow buntings and short-eared owls in the Coulee-Hite area south of Highway 2 near the Spokane-Lincoln county line. Ferguson also spotted a northern shrike, rough-legged hawk, and more short-eared owls closer to Reardan.

• Mule deer viewing continues to be good on much of the Methow Wildlife Area, particularly those portions north and east of Winthrop.

• WDFW's L.T. Murray Wildlife Area just west of Ellensburg in Kittitas County is also feeding elk now in three locations, including the Joe Watt Canyon unit where public viewing is welcome. WDFW area manager Cindi Confer reports over 500 elk at the Joe Watt feeding station and expects up to 1,000 by late winter. Visitors can take the Thorp exit off Interstate 90 south on the Old Thorp Highway, to Thorp Cemetery Road, to Joe Watt Canyon Road up to the winter closure gate on the wildlife area. Elk viewers are advised to remain in or near vehicles at the gate to watch the feeding elk. Both the Robinson Canyon and Joe Watt Canyon gates into the wildlife area close each year to all motorized and non-motorized public use in late November and early December to protect wintering elk. They re-open to the public May 15.

• Sightings of snowy owls have been reported on WDFW's Quilomene and Whiskey Dick wildlife areas in Kittitas County by both late season hunters and birdwatchers.

December 31, 1998 - January 13, 1999

• This is a great time of year to observe raptors (birds of prey) because they are pairing up now to breed. Usually the bigger the bird, the more time needed for the growth and development of offspring; that's why some eagles, owls and hawks mate in January. Rivers are a good bet for seeing eagles and hawks because food sources such as fish and smaller birds are abundant there. Many roads follow rivers and that affords an easy way to travel at this time of year, using your vehicle as a viewing blind. In southeastern Washington, tributaries of the Snake River such as the Touchet and Tucannon, can provide good raptor watching. In the northeast, the Pend Oreille and Spokane rivers and their tributaries are excellent places to see bald eagles, red-tailed hawk and other raptors.

• Winter wildlife watching also can be productive if you get off the beaten path via cross-country skis or snowshoes. Traversing the snow-covered ground away from roads and people, without the sound of motors, can afford views of creatures otherwise not seen. Two of eastern Washington's national wildlife refuges—Turnbull just southwest of Spokane and Little Pend Oreille just east of Colville—are good spots to see wildlife by cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Both places host whitetail deer, coyotes, owls, and waterfowl -- all of which are active through the winter. Coyotes are pairing up in January so you may witness some animals being less wary than usual. Great horned owls also are starting to pair up; a couple might be heard hooting back and forth to each other across an opening in the woods from the tops of tall trees. You also might see elk at Turnbull and weasels, minks and other furbearers at Little Pend Oreille.

January 9-23, 2007

• During the Grays Harbor Christmas Bird Count  Dec. 23, a total of 5,777 American wigeons were counted, four times the numbers usually seen.

• January is a good time to view concentrations of upland game birds and individual raptors hunting. "Drive the quiet county roadways in northeast Washington, especially at the lower elevations in the river valleys around Colville and Chewelah to see winter groups of wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant, valley quail, and maybe even Hungarian partridge," he said. "You'll also notice bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and rough-legged hawks hunting the open fields."

• Excellent birding opportunities along the Columbia River pools from Rock Island Dam upstream to the Wells Pool. "Loons, grebesdabbling ducks, Canada Geese, swans and coots are present in large numbers and variety on all the pools," he said. "Bald eagles are highly visible, and some courtship activities are beginning, as well as the possibility of seeing a coot or duck preyed upon by eagles. Some passerines, as well as quail, Hungarian and chukar partridges are readily visible on some of the adjacent uplands, Patterson said. Other raptors likely to be seen include golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks and great-horned owls, with reasonable chances to see northern goshawks, and prairie and gyrfalcons.

• Oak Creek Wildlife Area: severe winter, so you can see wintering bald and golden eagles feeding on carcasses.  1,200 elk, including many very large, mature bulls, are coming into the wildlife area headquarters.  About 180 bighorn sheep, including several nice rams, are coming into the Cleman Mountain unit.
  

January 11-24, 2006

• Free wildlife snowshoe tours are conducted in the Leavenworth area of Chelan County every Saturday and Sunday morning through the end of January. The tours are sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, where they convene at 10 a.m. The tours are leisurely treks along Icicle Creek where tour leaders show how to identify animal tracks and talk about how local wildlife survive in the winter. Species whose tracks, or presence, might be seen include mule deer, coyote, river otter, raccoon, weasel and many birds. Anyone at least eight years of age is welcome to join. Snowshoes are provided. Group size is limited to 12 people, so be sure to make a reservation by calling 509-548-6662.

January 11-25, 2005

• There are more than half a million dabbling ducks feeding and resting on waterways in northern Puget Sound. Add to that tally the hundreds of bald eagles roosting along the Skagit and other rivers, plus hundreds of majestic trumpeter swans foraging in agricultural fields throughout the region, and an entire weekend could be spent marveling at the sheer number and variety of birds that can be seen. 

• Look for tundra swans and trumpeter swans on the Brady Loop Road or alongside State Route 12 in Grays Harbor County.

• Gray whales are now making their southbound migration along the Washington coast.

• Birders at the River 'S' unit of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge report seeing lots of tundra swans and several adult bald eagles.

• The recently-conducted winter bird count on the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge in Stevens County included many common redpolls. Count participants found them at two walk-in locations – well up Bear Creek Road and on Rookery Road past the beaver ponds. With the gates closed on these roads at this time of year, visitors need to be prepared to walk, snow-shoe or cross-country-ski the refuge.

• WDFW wildlife biologist Scott Fitkin of Winthrop reports there’s currently good eagle watching in the Methow Valley. “Bald eagles are being seen along the river,” he said, and both bald and golden eagles are in the foothills wherever winter-killed deer carcasses are located.” Fitkin says winter birding in general should be good. “Northern migrants such as gyrfalcons and snowy owls are good possibilities in the open areas of the Okanogan Valley.”

• Lots of tundra swans are still using the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and smaller numbers were recently seen during the last aerial waterfowl survey at Winchester Wasteway, Moses Lake, Lower Crab Creek and Priest Rapids dam pool. The species-by-species results by location from the latest flight are posted at http://wdfw.wa.gov/reg/eventopp/events2.htm#geese, although it does not include Banks Lake and the Columbia River from Coulee Dam down to Wanapum Pool, due to inclement flying weather.

• WDFW habitat biologist Perry Harvester reports great wildlife-viewing opportunities in the Yakima River Canyon now. Harvester recently drove through the canyon and observed six bald eagles, five great blue herons, a few coveys of quail, several species of ducks, 98 bighorn sheep, and about 20 deer.
  

January 7-20, 2004

• At last count, there were 250 to 300 bald eagles hunkering down in roosting trees and feeding on salmon carcasses along the Skagit River.

• Winter feeding of elk and bighorn sheep is in full swing with lots of opportunity to view them at WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area, southwest of Yakima, and at nearby Cleman Mountain. Elk are fed daily at 1:30 p.m. near the Oak Creek headquarters off Highway 12, and sheep are fed at Cleman Mountain about mid-morning each day. 
• WDFW regional wildlife program manager Lee Stream also reports that deer can be seen along the Highway 410 corridor west of Naches, and bald eagles can be seen along the Naches and Yakima River systems.
  

January 8-21, 2003

• The annual gathering of bald eagles on the upper Skagit River is in full swing. One of the largest wintering populations of eagles in the Lower 48 can be found along the river upstream of Sedro-Woolley. As of early January, the highest concentration of birds (248) were recorded along the stretch of river from Marblemount to Rockport, while there were 94 bald eagles counted between Rockport and Sedro-Woolley. The main viewing area is at Milepost 100 on State Route 20. Howard Miller Steelhead County Park and the Marblemount Fish Hatchery, both just off SR 20, are also excellent sites for getting great views of our nation's symbol. 

January 9-23, 2002

• Swans are filling the fields in the lower Skagit River valley, and WDFW staff will be conducting its annual midwinter swan count in mid-January. The birds can be seen at the Fir Island Farm Reserve near Conway, and at the reserve portion of DeBays Slough. For less-crowded swan viewing, take a drive along any number of back roads in Skagit and Whatcom counties and look for the big white birds in the stubble fields.

• A gathering of about 500 marbled godwits was seen on the beach near Tokeland in Pacific County. Marbled godwits are considered uncommon in Washington state, particularly during the deep months of winter – this time of year they're more prevalent in California.

• More than two dozen tundra swans and more than 200 ring-necked ducks were also spotted recently in Vance Creek County Park.

• There's good viewing of wintering bald eagles along the Kettle, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and other major river systems throughout the region. Areas with abundant deer and people – and thus many roadkill situations – are also attracting the scavenging eagles.

• Bald eagle viewing along rivers is excellent now, especially since WDFW and U.S. Forest Service fish biologists recently placed about nine tons of fall chinook salmon carcasses in the American, Bumping and Little Naches rivers. The carcasses provide marine-derived nutrients, which in turn will produce insects for fish feed. Another beneficiary is wildlife such as scavenging eagles. WDFW fish biologist Jim Cummins recommends viewing bald eagles on the Little Naches River, where he just saw eight mature and two immature bald eagles feeding on carcasses. Eagles are also visible right in Yakima along the Yakima River, in the Yakima Canyon between Yakima and Ellensburg, and along the Naches River.

January 9 - February 4, 2002-3

• WDFW customer service specialist Bob Perleberg says now is the easiest time to watch bighorn sheep in Chelan County. These majestic animals can be viewed right off the west side of State Highway 97-A, between milepost 202 north to the Entiat River bridge. Bob says that many times the sheep are right on the road! 

• Bob also notes that Lake Chelan attracts bighorn sheep and a multitude of other wildlife during the winter months easily viewed by boat. Mountain goats, mule deer, bald eagles and an occasional bobcat or cougar can be seen, with most of the viewing north of a line between Fields Point and Mitchell Creek. One large group of mountain goats was seen at Box Canyon on Jan. 7, 2002. 

January 10-23, 2001

• The National Audubon Society has designated Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island as an Important Bird Area. According to the Vashon-Maury Island Audubon Society, the harbor is a major wintering area for western grebes, which feed on Pacific herring that spawn in the harbor's eelgrass beds. 

• More than 70 orca whales were spotted between Anderson and Ketron islands during the first week of January, making headlines throughout the South Sound area. Greg Combs, an environmental specialist for the state Department of Health, said the whales appeared to be chasing a run of chum salmon returning to the Nisqually River. Researchers have identified the orcas as members of the J, K and L pods, which typically frequent the waters off the San Juan Islands. Sightings tracked by The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor show that the three pods venture into Puget Sound an average of five or fewer days per month.

• Post Office Lake at the end of Lower River Road in the Vancouver lowlands continues to present a good opportunity for Vancouver-area residents to see swans, according to Fish and Wildlife Biologist Fred Dobler. In addition, quite a few geese use the area to loaf during the day.

• Lots of wintering birds of prey can be seen in the shrub-steppe habitat of Lincoln County, reports WDFW Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area manager Juli Anderson. "Our usual winter mix includes large numbers of rough-legged hawks and at least one snowy owl that's been sighted between here and Wilbur," she says. "Often they're found perched on tillage equipment in farm fields, looking for rodents." Wildlife viewers or photographers would have the area to themselves if they got into the interior on snowshoes now, Anderson says. 

• In Pend Oreille County, cross-country skiing the Frater Lake Trail System up on Tiger Pass (Hwy. 20) is a great way to see lots of tracks by ermine, red squirrel, snowshoe hare, grouse, deer, and other animals, reports WDFW wildlife biologist Dana Base. 
• A less physical outing to view wildlife is a quiet drive on the lightly traveled gravel county roads along the Kettle River in Ferry County. WDFW wildlife biololgist Steve Zender recommends the route from Curlew west and north toward the Curlew Conservation Corps center and on up Kroupa Road to the Canadian border. You're bound to spot a half dozen to a dozen bald eagles on that stretch, plus common and possibly Barrow's goldeneye, common mergansers and other waterfowl. Mule deer are also a viewing possibility, Zenders says, as are bighorn sheep in the area to the east of the river across the valley from the CCC. "The trip north of Curlew to Danville is very nice, too," Zender says," but it is a paved highway, so you need to take advantage of the wide spots to pull over and enjoy the river view. 
• For a long loop route away from traffic to see even more of the Kettle River and its wildlife, go on into Canada at Danville, through Grand Forks and back down Hiwy. 395 through Orient, then over Boulder-Deer Creek Pass back to Curlew."

• This is generally a good time to plan an outing to Okanogan County's Methow Valley to view wintering mule deer herds on the slopes above Hwy. 20 between Mazama and Twisp. Well over 10,000 mule deer –– the largest migratory herd in the state –– winter here. Given the right conditions, you may see 100 deer in a day of driving and watching through the valley. Cross country skiers and others who might have a closer mule deer encounter should remember to give them a wide berth to avoid stressing these animals.  

• This is an excellent time to look for wintering raptors in the irrigated farmfields of the Columbia Basin and especially around Potholes Reservoir and Moses Lake. Snowy owls, gyrfalcons, rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks, kestrels and merlins are all out and about seeking prey during daylight hours. Look for their distinctive silhouettes on power poles and lines along roadways, then find a place to pull over and watch with your binoculars. Snowy owls have been known to perch on the edges of cement irrigation ditches, so keep an eye on those structures as you drive through the irrigation canal district.

• Elk viewing at WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area west of Yakima is at its peak now, with more than 3,500 elk coming in regularly to six feeding sites. Area manager John McGowan also reports that about 150 bighorn sheep are feeding at some sites. "The only site where we encourage public viewing is next to our headquarters building just off Highway 12," McGowan says. "Feeding there is daily at 1:30 p.m., and the Senior Environmental Corp volunteer interpretive center is open 9 a.m. to at least 3 or 4 p.m., depending on the weather and the crowd."

• A high wintering population of both bald and golden eagles can be seen along the Naches and Tieton Rivers from Hwy. 12 and Hwy. 410.

January 12-26, 2000

• With hunters preparing the leave the field, WDFW biologists have begun their Midwinter Waterfowl Inventory to make an annual assessment of the flocks. One place they'll be checking – and wildlife watchers might consider it too – is the Chehalis River valley between Elma and Porter, where between 300 and 400 trumpeter swans were spotted on a recent weekend. Also look there for a herd of about 150 Roosevelt elk, which have moved down from higher elevations to escape the winter snow.

• Hundreds of elk are visible around the base of Mount St. Helens. Pull off Highway 504 en route to the visitor's center and look for them in the valley below. While in the area, why not check the beauty of a frozen waterfall? The Lewis River has one of the state's highest concentrations of waterfalls, according to author James Luther Davis. See them along the river between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Take the Highway 503 exit from Interstate 5 and follow it as it becomes the Lewis River Road and then Forest Road 90. The falls are located east of Swift Reservoir.

• Now is a great time to see swans in Washington as they migrate south from their breeding grounds in Alaska and northwestern Canada. Trumpeter and tundra swans are native to Washington. "Trumpeter swans can be found mostly on the west side of the Cascade Range although we are getting more reports of trumpeters from east side birders," said Martha Jordon of The Trumpeter Swan Society. 

• Tundras regularly winter in some of the wetlands, such as the Potholes Reservoir area and the McNary Wildlife Refuge, in eastern Washington. A mixed population of tundra and trumpeter swans winter in the Skagit Valley and Columbia River Basin. 
• On the west side, the agricultural fields of the Skagit and Snohomish valleys, especially around State Route 9, are great viewing places. 
• Driving from Ferndale to Everson in Whatcom County and in the vicinity of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge near Vancouver is a good way to see swans. .

January 4-27, 1999

• Waterfalls create unique opportunities—and obstacles—for fish and wildlife. That makes them great places to view fish, birds and other animals as well as ice sculptures shaped by falling water, wind and icy temperatures. Be careful because winter temperatures also can put a dangerous icy glaze on rocks—which means hazardous footing. Any waterfall will attract fish and wildlife, but two of the best areas for waterfall visiting include the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Rainier National Park. The Columbia Gorge offers many waterfall views and access points (many are on the Oregon side). Mount Rainier Park offers about a dozen falls.
  

  Animals that frequent waterfalls include: 
• Dippers, gray songbirds also called water ouzels—These starling-sized birds dive under the rapids in search of prey. They also search the rocks for insect larvae.  Dippers often nest in the heavy spray zones of waterfalls. 
• Belted kingfishers, compact, jay-sized birds—Can be observed rattling overhead as they fly above falls and rapids looking for small fish. The birds dive and spear their prey with uncanny accuracy. 
• Mink and other members of the weasel family—If you don't see the animals, look for their tracks as well as holes in the snow and ice along the stream banks where they enter the river or stream. 
• Salmon and trout—These anadromous species "climb" waterfalls with spectacular jumps. 

January 21 - February 3, 2004

• There are surprisingly large numbers of eagles along the Skagit River for this time of year. Observers on Jan. 28 counted 319 eagles along the river from Sedro-Woolley to Newhalem, with the largest concentration found along the river from Marblemount to Rockport. By comparison, the count conducted Jan. 29, 2003 resulted in 187 birds, while the 2002 count turned up 166 birds.

• One Tweeters contributor reports seeing six kites from a single scoping position Jan. 31 at Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge. Nutria and four groups of river otters were also visible.

• The Dike Access Road complex near Woodland offered views of more than 400 sandhill cranes, two great egrets, an adult Cooper's hawk, an adult rough-legged hawk, and seven American kestrels.

• During a recent day hike around Lake Quinault, a couple spotted three swans, eight bald eagles and a lot of spawned-out fish floating down the Quinault River.

• WDFW wildlife biologist Todd Baarstad reports that Lincoln County has some good wildlife viewing opportunities this time of year. Several bighorn sheep, including mature rams, can be seen around the town of Lincoln near the shores of Lake Roosevelt. Bands of mule deer can be seen feeding at mid-day along the edges of agricultural areas.

• South Central WA: Great horned owls are in courtship now and readying for mating and nesting, reports WDFW biologist Ken Bevis. "In the evening, listen for the hooting exchanges of owl pairs," Bevis said. Owls don't build nests, he notes, but use old red-tail hawk platforms, crow's nests, cavities in rocky cliff faces and other locations big enough for them to nest. "They are among the earliest nesting birds, their young fledging just when other species are putting young out," Bevis says. 

• Another owl species has been getting lots of attention from Yakima-area birders these days - northern pygmy owls have been seen in unusual abundance at lower elevations throughout the county, many preying on smaller birds at backyard winter feeding stations. The phenomenon isn't just local, according to birders who have heard from British Columbia colleagues about more pygmy owls wintering lower this year, perhaps due to a prey shortage with a vole population crash recently documented.
  

January 22 - February 4, 2003

• Trumpeter and tundra swans can be found in the agricultural areas of Whatcom and Skagit counties. While telling the big birds apart might be difficult for inexperienced birders, the Trumpeter Swan Society has a great website that includes a quick tutorial on how to distinguish trumpeter, tundra and mute swans. Check out the Trumpeter Swan Society's web page on the Internet and click on the "Swan Identification" link. There are also thousands of snow geese and many other species of waterfowl throughout northern Puget Sound. Be sure to use caution when driving along the backcountry roads as you're looking for big bird flocks in the farmlands. 

• Bald eagle viewing reaches its peak along the middle and upper reaches of the Skagit River at the annual Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival, Feb. 1-2, with guided tours, interpretive signage, spotter scopes, and eye-popping scenery, too. As of mid-January, a total of 278 eagles were counted along the river. The main viewing area is located at Milepost 100 along State Route 20, east of Mount Vernon. Howard Miller Steelhead County Park in Rockport and the Marblemount Fish Hatchery, both east (upstream) of Milepost 100, also offer great views.  More information on the Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival and eagle-watching along the Skagit is available on the Internet, or by calling (360) 853-7283. 

• Tweeters website correspondent reports from a mid-January birding trip that the River S Loop of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge had good number of dabblers and tundra swans. 

• If you want to watch ducks and Canada geese, you need go no further than North Spokane's Wandemere golf course. Or when you have a safe driving minute, simply look up when traveling Highway 2, especially near Farwell Road. "The sky is black with ducks there," reports WDFW Office Manager Lois Blanchette. Others report seeing hundreds of Canada geese, winging their way in long strings west to east every morning in that area. The birds are probably taking advantage of all the unusually open water, from Wandemere's small ponds to eastern Spokane County's Newman Lake, says WDFW Wildlife Biologist Howard Ferguson. "There have also been a lot of waterfowl using the sewage ponds on the Little Spokane River, just below the Fairwood subdivision," Ferguson says. 

• (Spokane) Another easy wildlife viewing opportunity is out on Peone Prairie, where both Blanchette and Ferguson report seeing 30 to 40 elk. Despite mostly snowless conditions this winter, haystacks in the area seem to be drawing them. Ferguson noted seeing the herd south of Bigelow Gulch Road by the fire station and at Orchard Prairie School.

• Daily viewing opportunities continue for bighorn sheep at the Cleman Mountain winter feeding site and for elk at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area winter feeding site. For more information on both, call (509) 653-2390.  

• WDFW Wildlife Biologist Scott Fitkin of Winthrop recommends "The Nature of Winter" ski and snowshoe winter ecology and tracking tours in the Methow Valley of Okanogan County. These free guided trips that explore winter ecology and identify wildlife tracks (most commonly observed tracks are deer, marten, snowshoe hare, cougar, red squirrel, bobcat and coyote) are offered every Saturday through March 1, and all three days of the Martin Luther King Jr., and Presidents' holiday weekends (Jan. 18-20, Feb 15-17). Ski tours meet at the Chickadee parking lot near Sun Mountain Lodge, and snowshoe tours meet at the Mazama Snowshoe Yurt at the Mazama trailhead. Tours start at 11 a.m. and are for anyone eight years or older with a group size limit of 10. A Methow Valley Ski Trail Association trail pass is required and can be obtained at several locations in the valley. For more information call (509) 996-4036.
  

January 23 - February 5, 2002

• Trumpeter swans are on display in a number of areas throughout the region, particularly in the Chehalis Valley. One contributor to Tweeters reported seeing five trumpeter swans near Vance Creek Park in Elma. Down the road at Brady Loop, the same writer spotted 200 northern pintails, two yellow-rumped warblers, a northern shrike, four red-tailed hawks and 15 black-bellied plovers. If you're in the area, watch for "Grandma," one of two wintering trumpeter swans fitted with satellite transmitters for research purposes. 

• Another good place to spot trumpeters and other waterfowl is the viewing blind at the Chehalis Wildlife Area, about two miles outside Elma on Schouweiler Road. The blind is handicapped accessible and usually available now that the hunters have left the field.

• It's mating season for many eagles, owls, and hawks, and other large birds like ravens and magpies. Watch or listen for pairs in aerial or treetop mating rituals. WDFW wildlife biologist Howard Ferguson reports seeing golden eagles performing their mating flights over the hills and cliffs above Lincoln, north of Creston on the shores of Lake Roosevelt. Watch for bighorn sheep in the same area, Ferguson says.