Newhalem
(Milepost 120)

The town of Newhalem sits in a narrow slot of the Skagit River Valley paralleled by SR 20. Elevation here is only 500 feet above sea level, but the surrounding slopes and mountain views inspire the feeling of being much higher. Along with native vegetation, many exotic tree and shrub species were planted here along the highway and attract migrants in spring and resident species throughout the year.

In spring look for Rufous Hummingbird courtship display flights. Especially good areas include the thickets at the foot of the bluffs north of the road and under the powerlines. This habitat includes thick growth of elderberry, salal, and Oregon grape with Vine Maples interspersed throughout. Good concentrations of passerines take advantage of cover and forage opportunities; bushes and slopes should be carefully searched. Along the bluffs, Violet-green Swallows and Vaux's Swifts patrol, while at ground level, Spotted Towhees, White-crowned, Golden-crowned, Lincoln's, Fox and Song Sparrows are frequent visitors in April through June. Wilson's, Nashville, Orange-crowned and MaGillivray's warblers forage at low to medium levels while Western Tanagers can be found in taller trees close by. Overhead, or usually in the tallest conifers, Red Crossbills, Evening Grosbeaks, and Pine Siskins are heard before seen. Overhead, Common Nighthawks sound their "peent" calls and can easily be identified by the white rings around their wings. The Oregon race of the Dark-eyed Junco and even a Ruffed Grouse or two can sometimes be flushed from the thick undergrowth.

A stroll to the greenspace by the Newhalem Post Office in spring can be rewarded with flocks of American Pipits, Common Snipe, and a small resident population of Canada Geese. Ravens frequent the powerline towers and Steller's Jays call from conspicuous perches, while overhead Cedar Waxwings give their high pitched "see see" calls.

The intersection of SR 20 and the North Cascades Visitor Center road can be a good place to scan for Chipping Sparrows and even Western Meadowlarks in migration. Lazuli Buntings have been known to frequent the edge habitat under the powerlines as well as Red-eyed vireos, Ruffed and Blue Grouse, Rufous Hummingbirds, and on rare occasions, Gray Catbirds. Directly across from the Visitor Center road is a road leading to the Department of Transportation (DOT), garage parking lot. This area is lined with mixed conifer and deciduous trees. Under the powerlines listen for the explosive "fitz bew" song of the Willow Flycatcher and the sharp chip call of the MaGillivray's Warbler. Around the DOT parking lot look for Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, warblers, flycatchers and vireos. In the spring of 1999 Evening Grosbeaks where seen frequently around the gas pumps! A walk along the road that leads back to the Goodell gravel pit can reveal Varied Thrushes, Rufous Hummingbirds, Winter Wrens, sparrows, warblers, flycatchers and tanagers. This is also a good place to owl prowl as Barred and Northern Pygmys frequent the fir and hemlock forests along the road. Northern Pygmy Owls are very responsive to mimic calls and can be lured in with their monotonous whistled hoot.

A number of short trails can be accessed from the Newhalem area that provide an introduction to mature western hemlock forests, riparian woodland and associated birdlife.

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