A Joint Conference of the Western Field Ornithologists and Washington Ornithological Society
Yakima, WA 5–8 June 2025
What makes this region so rich in breeding birds? It’s all about an amazing diversity of habitats. From glaciers and snowy forests to the west of Yakima at the Cascade Range crest are high elevation subalpine habitats with a distinctly boreal component to their birdlife. East and down in elevation on the slopes of the Cascades is a wet forest, a spillover of the habitat types typical of western Washington with their associated bird species.
Farther to the east, towards Yakima, are a succession of increasingly drier forested habitats with many montane bird species widespread in the American West. Below the forests is the semi-arid shrub-steppe, a northern and disjunct extension of the Great Basin. These sage-lands contribute many avian species from the south. Valley and creek bottoms are lined with riparian woodlands, boasting very high bird species richness–including a sprinkling of species whose main distribution is east of the Rocky Mountains. Depressions in the Columbia Basin contain isolated wetlands filled with birds, including several species characteristic of alkaline water bodies. Astoundingly thick sequences of basalt lava flows with cliffs and coulees lend yet more diversity to the landscape.
Combined, this rich array of habitats provides niches for about 190 species of birds in the breeding season. An additional bonus: with a small army of active birders canvassing so many bird-rich sites at conference time, there’s the distinct possibility of rarities from eastern North America or elsewhere that might be found. To whet your appetite for what’s possible here in early June, here’s a list of the number of species possible for various taxonomic groups and standout species likely to be found during the conference.
Whether you’re exploring open pine forests, or out in the serene shrub-steppe, or at a marsh, the region around Yakima in early June promises an exciting birding venue for birders of all skill levels.