Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Familiar to many of us, this large migratory goose is common in our region, and frequently seen flying in a V-shaped flock, grazing in fields or along water bodies, or swimming in lakes with their fuzzy offspring in the spring. Fun fact: the four smallest forms of the Canada goose were recently redesignated as a separate species, the Cackling Goose.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Nesting in cavities along the water’s edge, tree swallows are especially active in the morning and evening, as they careen above Lost Lake, eating insects. Tree swallows breed and raise young in the Highlands and throughout Washington, and migrate south as far as Central America to winter. Fun fact: tree swallows appreciate nest boxes, especially nest boxes without a roost and with a predator guard to keep their young safe.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

The shaggy-looking feathers in the painting of the great blue heron is an accurate depiction of the plumage of these large, statuesque wetland hunters. Great blue herons can be frequently seen, standing still and vigilant in wetlands and along streambanks in the Okanogan Highlands, and can occasionally be seen striking quickly, stabbing fish and other prey with their bills.  Fun fact: great blue herons build nests high in the trees during breeding season.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Bald eagles are always an awe-inspiring sight, with their huge wingspan (up to 80 inches!) and distinctive white feathered (not bald) head. At Lost Lake they can be easily found in the summer, as the breeding loons sound their alarm when bald eagles are near. Although bald eagles  hunt, they are also scavengers, and will chase other predators away from their meal. Fun fact: a bald eagle’s head does not turn white until the bird is 4-5 years old.

Common Loon (Gavia immer)

Common loons, with their haunting calls and distinctive black and white coloring, are one of the iconic summertime species of the Okanogan Highlands. Northern Washington is on the very edge of loons’ breeding range, so only a few lakes host breeding pairs and young. Fun fact: common loons are heavy (up to 12 pounds!) because they have solid bones (most birds’ bones are hollow), an advantage when swimming, but makes take-off difficult.

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

Male ruddy ducks certainly have distinctive coloring, with their black hats, white cheeks and reddish bodies, not to mention THAT BLUE BEAK! Females and young don’t stand out quite so much, and the males lose some of those distinctive colors in the winter (even their bills go gray) but they all have a tendency to hold their tails up in that jaunty way. Fun fact: these ducks primarily feed at night on aquatic invertebrates, which are found in abundance at Lost Lake in the summer.

We are in need of a great ruddy duck photo! Do you have one to share? We will photo credit you, of course!

Email us at: info@okanoganhighlands.org

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)

The name is ring-necked, but both males and females also have a distinct white ring near the end of their bill. Like common loons, these ducks dive for their food, but unlike the carnivorous loon, ring-necked ducks eat both plants and aquatic invertebrates. This species of duck relies on freshwater wetlands like Lost Lake for breeding grounds, placing their nests amid dense vegetation such as cattails. Fun Fact: the name ring neck comes from a brownish ring around these ducks’ neck that is quite difficult to see.

Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli)

Energetic and vocal, these tiny birds are a year-round resident of Lost Lake and the Okanogan Highlands. Mountain chickadees are cavity nesters, inhabiting coniferous and aspen forests at higher elevations (as opposed to black-capped chickadees that can often be found in more deciduous habitats). Fun fact: mountain chickadees will store food when they find a stash (like a birdfeeder).

Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata)

These long-billed shorebirds can be hard to see with their brown and buff coloration, but a careful observer can find them perched atop fence posts or other exposed spots. They are commonly found in wet muddy marshes with short vegetation. You can often hear them flying with the “winnowing” sound their tail makes. Fun Fact: Their eyes are set so far back on their heads that they can see behind them.

Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)

This small duck gets its name from both male and females having a patch of deep-green on their wings that is visible in flight. The males are easily identifiable with a vibrant green streak that goes from the eye to the back of their head. They are often found on shallow ponds and winter along northern rivers. Fun fact: The Green-winged Teal is the smallest dabbling duck in North America.

Sora (Porzana carolina)

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

The red-winged black bird is common across North America. It is often found sitting on top of cattails and telephone wires. The males are easily identifiable with red and yellow shoulder patches that stand out on their glossy black body. Females are dark brown with streaks throughout. They are found in wetlands with lots of vegetation. Fun fact: the red-winged blackbird is a polygynous species (the males have multiple female mates).

We are in need of a great red-winged blackbird photo! Do you have one to share? We will photo credit you, of course!

Email us at: info at okanoganhighlands dot org

Yellow Rumped Warbler (Etophaga coronata)

Yellow-rumped Warblers: though little, they fill the air with sharp chirps. With flashes of yellow, they are often found in trees and shrubs throughout the seasons, and prefer northern conifer forests during the summer. 

Fun Fact: The yellow-rumped warbler is able to digest the waxes in bayberries and wax myrtle berries. Being the only warbler able to do this means the yellow rumped warbler can winter far north.

Song Sparrow (Melosspiza melodia)

 The Song Sparrow is one of the most common sparrows in North America. With russet-and-gray coloring with streaks down its white chest, they can be found in wooded areas, agricultural fields, lakes, and forest edges. 

Fun Fact: While the Song Sparrow is found in many different areas of North America, it looks different in each area. The Song Sparrows in the Southwest are pale while the ones in the Pacific Northwest are darker. The Song Sparrows in the Alaskan Islands are even darker than the ones in the Pacific Northwest (and much larger).

Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris)

The Columbia spotted frog is rarely found away from water. The topside is olive brown to a brick red with black spots. The underside is usually orange to red. Adults range from 1.5 to 4 inches. These frogs are becoming hard to find due to habitat decline, so keep an eye out for the Columbia spotted frog in the Okanogan Highlands!

Fun fact: The Oregon spotted frog and the Columbia spotted frog are so similar that they were thought to be the same species until a genetic analysis showed the differences between the two. 

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)

The painted turtle is primarily aquatic and prefers habitats that are muddy with lots of vegetation. These turtles are around 2.5 to 10 inches with a dark top shell and have bright red markings on the underside. Their skin is a dark olive or black with yellow stripes. 

Fun Fact: Painted turtles are diurnal which means they shelter under the water at night and spend the mornings basking in the sun on logs and rocks.

Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)

The signal crayfish is one of the only crayfish native to Washington state. They can be identified by their brown color with white or light brown on the claw joint. Signal crayfish are typically 2.4-3.5 inches long, but can grow up to 7.9 inches. 

Fun Fact: Signal crayfish are omnivores meaning they eat both plants and meat.

We are in need of a great signal crayfish photo! Do you have one to share? We will photo credit you, of course! Email us at: info at okanoganhighlands dot org

Beaver (Castor canadensis)

Beavers are the largest rodents in North America, averaging around 40 pounds and reaching three feet long (including the tail). Beavers can be found along rivers, small streams, and lakes. If their preferred habitat is not available they will create ponds by building dams that block water flow, earning them the name “nature’s engineer” and the title of Keystone Species for creating and maintaining habitat that supports many other species.

Fun fact: Beavers spend most if not all of their lives with one mate.

Moose (Alces alces)

Moose are the largest member of the North American deer family. They have very large muzzles with an overhanging upper lip and a flap of skin under their throat that’s called a bell.  Adult males (bulls) can weigh 850-1,100 pounds and adult females (cows) can weigh 600-800 pounds. Bulls have large flat antlers that can range from 35 to 45 inches across. Moose habitat includes forested areas that have wetlands or lakes. 

Fun fact: Moose got their name from a Native American tribe, the Algonquin, that means “twig eater.”

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)

A captivating insect often found near Okanogan County’s aquatic habitats, such as: ponds, lakes and meandering waterways. With a striking iridescent blue body, this delicate creature can be identified by the distinctive black markings on its thorax and its slender, elongated shape. These damselflies play a vital role in the ecosystem, as they are predators of small insects and prey for larger animals: fish, birds, frogs and other insects.With a lifespan of just a few weeks, the common blue damselfly is a testament to the beauty and complexity of nature’s fleeting wonders.

Fun fact: During mating, the males perform an intricate aerial display to attract females, often forming a unique heart-shaped tandem flight.