Chicory Springs Farm Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats

WILDLIFE

Here in northeast Washington, there is an abundance of just about every kind of wildlife the state has to offer. On the farm, we have seen so many birds and mammals, it seems like a wildlife park sometimes.  I won’t give a comprehensive list of the birds, but it includes bald and golden eagles, many species of hawks, great horned owls (who nest in the neighborhood), turkeys (way too many), woodpeckers, flickers, towhees, the migrating passerines, mourning doves, quail, pheasant, and so many LBJ’s (‘little brown jobbers’). We have bird feeders hanging from the weeping willow just outside the front window, so we have an enjoyable view all winter. I was very pleased to see my first male American Redstart this summer, at some beaver ponds across the valley. 

The mammal list is quite long as well. It includes an occasional fence-wrecking moose, the neighborhood elk herd, white tail and mule deer, bear, cougar (seen under the neighbor’s porch!), chicken-eating raccoons, porcupines, skunks (cute, but the dogs always seem to find them first-phew!), the rare squirrel and chipmunk (the cats chase them), a few weasel, and an abundance of pocket gopher and other cute but nuisance rodents!  

Our farm is bisected by Cottonwood creek, so in the fall we can see the migrating trout, and find an occasional large crawdad. The great blue herons and kingfishers enjoy the creek as well. 

It’s quite fun to be in the midst of all the wildlife. We keep several pairs of binoculars around to spot the latest critter. You should bring yours too if you visit this part of the state!