The rolling agricultural lands along Airlie Rd are best known for wintering raptors and swans. Along with American Kestrel and Red-tailed Hawk at roadside, watch for Rough-legged Hawk, Prairie and Peregrine Falcon; Ferruginous and Swainson?s Hawk have also been found. From Nov-Feb, up to 60 Trumpeter Swan are regular, often with Tundra Swan, at varying spots from Maple Grove (4 mi N of Airlie) E to Corvallis-Independence Hwy (2 mi E of Hwy 99W). Also watch for Northern Shrike, Streaked Horned Lark (resident), American Pipit, and Short-eared Owl, and gull flocks. In spring and summer, check for Vesper Sparrow at the edges of weedy Christmas tree farms. Airlie Rd is part of a popular bicycle touring loop, despite narrow shoulders that also limit places to stop safely while birding by car.
From Kings Valley Hwy just S of the Kings Valley Store, turn E at the old church opposite the elementary school, onto Maxfield Creek Rd. Proceed 7 mi to intersection with Airlie Rd in the hamlet of Airlie. From here bird along Airlie Rd either N for 2 mi to Maple Grove, or S and then E for 6 mi to Hwy 99W at Suver Junction.
