Bird Watching from the River
by Gary Planagan, Osprey Rafting Co.
 
The lower Icicle River and the Wenatchee River gives a unique opportunity
to float up close to many birds and animals. During the Leavenworth Spring
Bird Fest, we identified 51 bird species just on the Sunday morning float.
On evening floats there have been sightings of deer, beaver, mink, raccoons,
coyotes, salmon and otters. One evening we watched an Osprey attack a
Bald Eagle, which I had not seen before. It was spectacular! This float
is a real jewel; you go by nesting places of Bald Eagles, Bank, Cliff
and Northern Rough-wing Swallows. Look and see where mink, otters, and
beavers have dug dens in the river banks. When you start to go around
Blackbird Island there is a water way built as a salmon rearing area
between the river and Enchantment Park - here is the roosting place of
at least 25 Turkey Vultures (we call them the Wenatchee River Sanitation
Department) and is also home to Grey Catbird, Veery and many types of
warbler.
This outing starts at a boat ramp just downstream of the Leavenworth
National Fish Hatchery on the Icicle River, and takes out at the boat
ramp on East Leavenworth road right across the river from Waterfront
Park, just upstream from the Barn Beach Reserve. The Icicle meanders
back and forth, giving you a 1 ½ - 2 ½ hour float depending
on stream flow. In late summer, the Icicle can be too low, so then you
can start at the Icicle Road Bridge on the Wenatchee River. There is
not a boat ramp there; you should use a craft you can maneuver down a
steep bank.
You don’t have to have your own boat
to do this. Osprey Rafting Co. has the boats, guides and will row the
oars for you, so your time is spent with a camera or your binoculars.
Osprey is a proud sponsor of the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, and you
can find them at 800-743-6269 and www.shoottherapids.com
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