The Winston Creek Loop from Mossyrock to the intersection with U.S. Highway 12 at Mayfield Lake is not one of the richer destinations for birds and wildlife in Lewis County, but can hold some surprising exceptions to routine viewing.
Much of the route passes through thick stands of Douglas fir reproduction that may offer glimpses of elk, deer and the occasional bear. In these reforestation plots, the volume of bird life is less than in the relatively open areas adjacent to farmland or along the watersheds, but those that can be seen are often our most interesting resident and migrant species.
In the heavy conifers between the junction of the Perkins and Long Bell roads and Winston Creek, a careful observer may see Bohemian and cedar waxwings, red crossbills, common yellowthroats, evening and black-headed grosbeaks, an assortment of warblers and other colorful species.
Visibility is an issue along the roadway, but many of the gated timber company roads are open to foot travel and it is relatively easy to see the collection of uncommon birds by walking slowly, listening for their songs, and eventually locating them in the canopy.
There are many small wetlands and hardwood openings along these seldom-used logging roads (many little more than a wide pathway) where some patient observation can pay spectacular dividends.
The farm fields along Perkins Road to the north and Winston Creek Road on the western end of the loop are good spots for elk and deer, and it is here you will find the greater concentration of nesting birds. The margins of settled areas and agricultural lands are favored by juncoes, sparrows, warblers and many other small songbirds. Those, in turn, generate a fair population of kestrel, merlin and other falcons. The fields host rodents that attract red-tailed, Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks in fair numbers as well.
There are a number of substantial wetlands along Winston Creek that may be accessed from pullouts along Long Bell Road or from abandoned logging spurs. These are prime habitat for red-winged blackbirds and their nesting nemesis, the brown-headed cowbirds. Flycatchers, vireos and kinglets often visit these opening to feed, much to the noisy annoyance of the resident blackbirds.
A walk along Winston Creek in summer will nearly always offer a glimpse of American dippers foraging the creek edges for caddis and other aquatic insect larvae. The creek is bordered by a wide band of hardwoods on either side, and those hold considerable numbers and variety of small cup-nesting songbirds.
The creek nudges the roadway in several spots and a hike from one such spot to the next will lead away from the road and into the richest of the nesting and rearing habitat. In spring, the woods are literally alive with birdsongs and squabbles among the territorial nesters.
The old Long Bell mill pond holds waterfowl in modest numbers, but those may include Barrow's or common goldeneyes, wood ducks and others. The pond is private, so stay on the county right-of-way or ask permission before walking along the shoreline.
To reach the loop from the east end, go to Mossyrock on U.S. 12. From the middle of town, turn east on East State Street and follow it out of town. It becomes Mossyrock Road East, and at about 2 miles Swofford Road turns sharply to the right.
At two miles you will encounter a "T," with Green Mountain Road going left to Swofford Pond, with Perkins Road turning right where it will join the Long Bell Road. Follow Long Bell Road through the broken fir cover until dropping down to the creek. It will end at the Winston Creek Road, with the dead-end Salmon Creek road going left.
Follow Winston Creek road right to the eventual intersection with U.S. 12 and the end of the loop trip. Stop often along the way to watch and listen for the wonderful array of wildlife that inhabit this backwoodsy part of the county.
