Devil's Gulch

Habitat: A 25,000-acre U.S. Forest Service area with an extremely large stand of ponderosa pine; also coniferous/deciduous forest and riparian area. Designated an Important Bird Area as part of a worldwide program to identify sites most essential for healthy, long-term bird populations.

Best seasons for birding: Summer and fall.

Birds commonly seen: More than 100 species, including many songbirds, raptors, grouse and woodpeckers. Summer brings warbling vireos, Townsend's warblers, dusky flycatchers, Cassin's finches, Vaux's swifts and gray catbirds. Common ravens are, well, common. Owls include northern pygmy, northern saw-whet and flammulated. More than 1,700 raptors of 16 species have been counted here during fall migration.

Viewing tips: Trail No. 1220 begins at parking lot, with good viewing opportunities over creek. At 0.5 mile, trail goes uphill and continues 8 miles to crest of Mission Ridge.

Access: From Highway 2 at Milepost 111 at Cashmere, turn south onto Aplets Way/Division Street/Pioneer Avenue. Drive for 0.7 mile. Turn left (south) onto Mission Creek Road. Drive 6.7 miles. Take left fork onto Forest Road 1700. Drive 2.3 miles to parking area. Northwest Forest Pass required.

Source: Audubon Washington. For free maps of Washington birding sites, call 866-922-4737 and ask for Great Washington State Birding Trail maps ("Cascade Loop" or "Coulee Corridor") or request online at www.wa.audubon.org.

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