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North Region

North Region Sites

Priest Lake Area/Dickensheet Subloop

Nearest Town: Coolin
Site Size:

Highlights: Raptors, Shorebirds, Songbirds, Upland Birds, Waterbirds, Waterfowl

Access: Year-round. Snow may limit vehicle access. Access free of charge.

Site Location

Directions: VISITOR INFO CENTER: from Priest River, ID 57 N for 22.3 mi; info center on R (E) side of the hwy. DICKENSHEET CAMPGROUND: from visitor center, 0.7 mi N to Coolin Rd; R (E) onto Coolin Rd; 1 mi to campground. UPPER PRIEST LAKE: from Dickensheet, E to Coolin; R in Coolin staying on E Shore Rd; go N to Lion’s Head Campground and trailheads.

Description: INFO CENTER AND DICKENSHEET: Look for Spruce and Blue Grouse, American Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers, Clark’s Nutcracker, Swainson’s, Hermit, and Varied Thrushes, as well as chickadees and nuthatches. UPPER PRIEST LAKE: This lake contains one of the largest contiguous blocks of old-growth red cedar in the continental U.S. Several species nest at this site including Bald Eagle, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, and Willow Flycatcher. Common Loon have also been noted at this site during the breeding season. Upland habitats surrounding the lake and the thoroughfare contain a number of high interest nesting species, such as Cassin’s Vireo, Townsend’s and MacGillivray’s Warblers, and Northern Goshawk.

More Information:
USFS (208) 443-2512
Priest River Chamber of Commerce 1-888-774-3785
www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/priestlake/


Photos
Priest-River-Area.jpg
Photo CC by Attribution
Idaho Fish and Game
barrow's-goldeneye-with-chicks--michael-woodruff.jpg
Barrow's Goldeneye
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff
black-backed-woodpecker--tom-munson.jpg
Black-backed Woodpecker
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
willow-flycatcher--michael-woodruff.jpg
Willow Flycatcher
Photo Copyright Michael Woodruff
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterInterpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsHiking TrailsHuntingFishingWater SportsOHV/ATVs AllowedHorseback Riding

Handicapped Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo BoardwalkNo CampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterNo Interpretive MaterialsNo Boat RampNo ConcessionsNo Hiking Trails
What do these icons mean?


Habitat
cedar/hemlock Graph illustrating 40% 40%
marshes/lakes/ponds Graph illustrating 60% 60%

Best Observation Times
Bird Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec AM/PM
Raptors Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Shorebirds N N N N N N N N N N N N
Songbirds N N N Y Y Y Y N N N N N
Upland Birds Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Waterbirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y N N N N
Waterfowl N N N N Y Y Y Y Y N N N
Target Species for this Site

Select a species from the list to view other sites on the Idaho Birding Trail Sites this species may be observed.

    Chickadees and TitmouseCorvidsFinches and alliesGeese, Swans and DucksGrouse and TurkeyHawks and EaglesLoonNuthatches and CreeperOwlsSparrows and alliesThrushesTyrant FlycatchersVireosWood WarblersWoodpeckers

    Legend

    SeasonAbundanceRegion
    R - Resident 1 - Abundant, easily found s - Statewide
    M - Migrant 2 - Common, but sometimes difficult to find e - Southeast
    W - Winter 3 - Uncommon or local w - Southwest
    S - Summer 4 - Rare or very local c - Central
    5 - Casual, 3-10 accepted records p - Panhandle (North)
    6 - Accidental, 1-2 accepted records
    7 - Experimental
    (B) - Documented breeding evidence(End) - Threatened or Endangered
    (b) - Circumstantial breeding evidence(Int.) - Introduced species


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