When
you visit the Priest Lake Basin, you're in the home environment of
numerous animals from small weasel family critters to the mighty grizzly
bear, the majestic elk, and the noble bald eagle. Act as a good guest
and you'll often be rewarded with the opportunity to view these creatures
in their natural environment without disturbing them as they go about
their normal routine. As with most wildlife species, the best opportunities
to view these magnificent animals are early morning or dusk. They can
often be observed in the vicinity of the many wetland areas in the
basin or around lakes and streams.
Larger game species that make the Priest Lake area their home include black and
grizzly bears, whitetail and mule deer, moose, elk, wolves, a small herd of mountain
caribou, mountain lions, bobcats, mountain sheep and a few mountain goats. The
grizzly bear and mountain caribou have been designated as "threatened" under
the endangered species act and their habitat is protected by selective mountain
road closures, restrictive bear hunting methods, etc.
A wide variety of smaller animals also make the Priest Lake Basin their home.
Included are raccoons, skunks, snowshoe hares, beaver, otters, squirrels, chipmunks,
weasel family animals, etc. These animals may be encountered at about any location
in the Basin. You may encounter a few snakes in the area but all are the harmless
variety. No poisonous snakes make the Priest Lake area their home.
The
area has a growing population of bald eagles and an abundant population of osprey.
Numerous osprey nests are visible in high tree snags around the shoreline of
the both Priest and Upper Priest Lakes and on some of the islands. Patient viewers
will have the pleasure of observing osprey fishing techniques near shorelines
where unwary fish congregate. The osprey is probably the most effective and efficient "fisherman" on
the Lake. Canadian geese are ever present on the Lake as are various duck species.
Depending upon the time of the year, the wetland areas off the south end of the
Lake and in the Bear Creek area are excellent areas to view less common duck
species such as the wood duck and redhead. Also, don't be surprised if you observe
a great blue heron stalking its meal in a wetland area or a flock of wild turkeys
along the roadside.
Numerous
other bird species also reside at Priest Lake. Ravens are ubiquitous, as are
numerous varieties of woodpeckers and jays. Pine martins, goshawks, grouse and
blue birds are but a few of the other species native to the area. In summer,
large numbers of hummingbirds congregate throughout the area. A favorite pastime
of children, as well as many adults, is observing the antics of these beautiful
little birds. They put on amazing aerial demonstrations as they 'dog fight' over
access to the many, many hummingbird feeders set out by local residents.
When
you visit the Priest Lake Basin, you're in the home environment of
numerous animals from small weasel family critters to the mighty grizzly
bear, the majestic elk, and the noble bald eagle. Act as a good guest
and you'll often be rewarded with the opportunity to view these creatures
in their natural environment without disturbing them as they go about
their normal routine. As with most wildlife species, the best opportunities
to view these magnificent animals are early morning or dusk. They can
often be observed in the vicinity of the many wetland areas in the
basin or around lakes and streams.
The
area has a growing population of bald eagles and an abundant population of osprey.
Numerous osprey nests are visible in high tree snags around the shoreline of
the both Priest and Upper Priest Lakes and on some of the islands. Patient viewers
will have the pleasure of observing osprey fishing techniques near shorelines
where unwary fish congregate. The osprey is probably the most effective and efficient "fisherman" on
the Lake. Canadian geese are ever present on the Lake as are various duck species.
Depending upon the time of the year, the wetland areas off the south end of the
Lake and in the Bear Creek area are excellent areas to view less common duck
species such as the wood duck and redhead. Also, don't be surprised if you observe
a great blue heron stalking its meal in a wetland area or a flock of wild turkeys
along the roadside.
Numerous
other bird species also reside at Priest Lake. Ravens are ubiquitous, as are
numerous varieties of woodpeckers and jays. Pine martins, goshawks, grouse and
blue birds are but a few of the other species native to the area. In summer,
large numbers of hummingbirds congregate throughout the area. A favorite pastime
of children, as well as many adults, is observing the antics of these beautiful
little birds. They put on amazing aerial demonstrations as they 'dog fight' over
access to the many, many hummingbird feeders set out by local residents.