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Wildlife & Birding in Leavenworth & the Cascade Foothills

The region extends from Cole's Corner in the Tumwater Canyon through the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth and on to the small community of Cashmere. The area is home to numerous wildlife habitats as the landscape changes. It is surrounded by the Wenatchee/Okanogan National Forest and is home to several key locations to explore if you're looking for wildlife: the Lake Wenatchee and Fish Lake area, Leavenworth's Waterfront Park, the Icicle River Valley, a gateway to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and along the Wenatchee riverbanks near Cashmere. 

Wildlife Viewing

Shrew (Water, Marsh, Vagrant, Trowbridge's and Merriam's), American Pika, Snowshoe Hare, Coast Mole, American Shrew-Mole, Muskrat, Beaver, Marmots (Yellow-bellied and Hoary), Cascade Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel, Chipmunk (Townsend's, Least and Yellow Pine), Squirrel (Grey, Douglas and Northern Flying), North American and Northwestern Deer Mouse, Pacific Jumping Mouse, Bushy-Tailed Woodrat, Vole (Montane, Long-Tailed, Water, Red-Backed and Western Heather), Porcupine, Northern Pocket Gopher, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Coyote, Red Fox, Black Bear, Raccoon, Short-Tailed and Long-Tailed Weasels, Mink, American Marten, Northern River Otter, Wolverine, American Badger, Skunk (Striped and Western Spotted), Deer (Mule and Black-Tailed), Rocky Mountain Elk, Mountain Goats. 

Mountain Goat in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Common Mergansers

Key Birding Locations

Swiftwater Picnic Area: Tumwater Canyon and Wenatchee River  
(Northwest Forest Pass required)

Ospreys arrive in April and typically hatch two chicks at the end of May which remain in their nests for approximately two months. Males fish for the mom and chicks. Also look for American Dippers.

Leavenworth Fish Hatchery 

Riparian and wetland sloughs, Icicle Creek, meadows with ponderosa pines, wildfire burn area

Common Merganser, American Dipper, Swallow (Violet-Green, Tree, Bank, Barn, Cliff, and Northern Rough-Winged), Osprey, Bald Eagle, Western Tanager, Woodpecker (White-Headed, Pileated and Hairy), Red Crossbill, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Rufous Hummingbird, Cassin's Finch, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbirds, Veery, Warbler (Yellow and Yellow-Rumped)

Waterfront Park

Wenatchee River, island, deciduous and ponderosa pine forest, shrubs

Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Veery, Red-Eyed Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Bullock's Oriole, Western Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Gray Catbird, Hummingbirds (Rufous and Calliope), Wood Duck, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Stellar's Jay

Birding Guide
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Wildlife Guide
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Field Guides
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Leavenworth Area Lodging, Dining, Activities & Info
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