8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Third
 

Leaders:   David Wienecke, Denis DeSilvis, and/or Valerie Elliott

Join us for a field trip to a new site. We’re planning on making this a monthly nature/bird watching trip on the 3rd Thursday of each month throughout the year. This trip will be from 1-3 miles long on relatively level ground. It will explore forest, water and open area species.

No security passes are required. Trip starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the golf course driving range parking lot.

Location: Exit 116 (Mounts Road), turn north, turn right into Eagle’s Pride Golf Course clubhouse parking area, go down ramp and make an immediate, hard left onto driving range access road (narrow road). Proceed to driving range parking area.

For more information contact David Wienecke at david.l.wienecke.naf@mail.mil or (253) 964-0341 (office) or (760) 828-8788 (mobile).

Location: Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth features spectacular habitats, ranging from snow-capped mountains to sunny ponderosa pine forests to lush riparian zones to shrub-steppe. Last year, a total of 149 bird species were spotted on field trips during the festival. All field trips are led by experts and professionals in the field. While birding is at the heart of the festival, many other activities are available, and Bavarian Leavenworth is a fun town to explore.

For more information, see www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com

Location: Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, British Columbia

If a trip to beautiful British Columbia this spring appeals, plan to catch the Meadowlark Nature Festival, one of Canada's premier outdoor celebrations. Over 90 environmental tours and events take people from British Columbia's unique desert to alpine meadows high above Okanagan Lake. Topics span all of the natural sciences, including astronomy, geology, residential landscape design, and, of course, ornithology. Visitors come from all over North America and Europe. For more information, see www.meadowlarkfestival.bc.can.

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. (noon)

Leaders: Sam Merrill and Tracey Scalici

This walk is designed primarily for beginning and intermediate birders. We will look and listen for woodland birds, such as Swainson's Thrushes, Pacific Wrens, Brown Creepers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, and Black-headed Grosbeaks, as we walk through the deep forest of cedars and Douglas fir. Approaching Henderson Inlet, we may see Cormorants, Purple Martins, other birds, and seals. We will walk an approximately two-mile loop, which includes an easy trail with boardwalk sections and return by a pedestrian-only road. Please bring binoculars if possible.

To reach the Woodard Bay Natural Resource Conservation Area from Olympia, take Boston Harbor Road north, then turn right on Woodard Bay Road, crossing Libby Road. A small parking area on the left, just before crossing the bridge over Woodard Bay, requires a Discover Pass. Additional parking that does not require a Discover Pass is available in a county lot, a short distance beyond the bridge and up the hill.

This trip is limited to 15 people. To secure a spot, e-mail Sam at SamMerrill3@comcast.net  or Tracey at trscalici@gmail.com , or call the Black Hills message line at (360) 352-7299.

9:30 am.

                A Workshop and Training for a Pigeon
                Guillemot Breeding Survey

Location: Nisqually Reach Nature Center, 4949 D’Milluhr Dr NE Olympia - http://www.nisquallyestuary.org

Presenter/trainer at the event will be Frances Wood, scriptwriter for BirdNote, and author of Brushed by Feathers: A Year of Birdwatching in the West.

Come and learn about pigeon guillemots, our locally breeding seabird, nesting in burrows on sandy bluffs here in South Sound:   See flyer in Word or in PDF

There is currently no baseline population information for breeding pigeon guillemots and their sites for South Sound. Previous marine bird studies have suggested that pigeon guillemots would be a good indicator species of the health of the Puget Sound food web. We need your help and your observations from the past.

If you know of potential or confirmed sites from past years, please contact Anne Mills (millsa@comcast.net). If you have seen pigeon guillemots hanging around a specific beach already this year or in past years, that is good information!

We need you! Volunteers are needed to watch pigeon guillemots.

May: Walk beaches to determine active breeding burrows on sandy bluffs or wooden structures at docks. We will be watching potential sites in May, as birds should be setting up housekeeping and breeding. They will then incubate eggs for 30+ days.

June-August: Weekly recording of bird behavior as parent birds deliver prey to their young in the nests.

Volunteers will observe active burrows for one hour per week from June through August, documenting trips to burrows and prey delivered to young.

Adopt a site, gather a friend or two, and join us to watch these special birds!  Become a citizen scientist - - -observing, waiting, watching, and recording - - - You may become enchanted with these birds!

The Project is sponsored by Nisqually Reach Aquatic Reserve and Anderson Island Citizen Stewardship Committees. http://www.nisquallyestuary.org/aquaticreserve.html.

For more information about pigeon guillemot surveys, see http://www.pigeonguillemot.org/ 

For more information and to register, contact Anne Mills, millsa@comcast.net, 360-867-1487.

7 a.m. - 10 a.m.
 

Leader: Jean McGregor

This leisurely walk will focus on identifying birds by sight and by ear, with a special emphasis on bird vocalizations and bird songs. This time of year bird vocalizations are at their most diverse and elaborate. Beginning birders are welcome!

Meet bright and early at McLane Creek at 7:00 a.m.
To sign up, e-mail Jean at jeanmacg@thurston.com, or call the BHAS message phone line at (360) 352-7299.

4:30 pm

On May 20^th, people will share their "best birding spots in our area". Come ready to share where and why you go birding in a particular spot. People new to our area will benefit from your knowledge. On June 17^th, we will discuss what we can offer during this time frame and develop some presentations appropriate for the venue, group size, and time period.

Location:  The Fish Tale Brew Pub
               515 Jefferson St SE
               Olympia, WA 98501

We will have a sign directing you to the couches in the back where we will gather. Hope to see you there.

Location:  Hazel Wolf Bird Sanctuary, Wenas Creek Campground, SW of Ellensburg

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wenas Audubon Campout in eastern Washington. The sanctuary is located between Ellensburg and Yakima, on the east slope of the Cascades. The campout will take place on Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-27) at the Wenas Creek Campground. Activities include birding field trips, flower walks, and more.

Pre-registration is not required. All are welcome. The campout is free and open to all ages; however, donations are encouraged. All vehicles must display a Washington State Discover Pass  (http://www.discoverpass.wa.govv ).
Visit the Wenas Audubon website (www.wenasaudubon.org) for directions and more information.
Contact: Doris Johnson at dellenj@comcast.nett .

6:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Leader: Gary Wiles

This trip will visit a relatively new unit of the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area Complex known as West Rocky Prairie. The area, managed by Washington State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, is located near Millersylvania State Park and is one of the largest parcels of high quality native prairie remaining in Thurston County. Adjoining habitats include oak woodlands and mixed alder/fir forest. Last year’s trip, our first for BHAS, produced a good variety of open-country and forest birds, including Chipping Sparrows, House Wrens, five warbler species, and even a brood of Virginia Rails.

Parking is limited, so we’ll carpool to the site; meet at the L & I parking lot in Tumwater at 6:30 a.m.  A Discover Pass is needed for vehicles that will be carpooling. Please note that the area is undeveloped and does not have bathroom facilities. Dress for the weather and bring water, snacks, and sunscreen.

Pre-registration is required. Group size is limited to 12.
Call Gary at (360) 943-8786 for reservations.

7:30 a.m. and

9:00 a.m.

Location for this month:  Tumwater Falls Park at 7:30 A.M.
Address: 777 Simmons LN SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

Breakfast at River’s Edge Restaurant (at The Valley Golf Course) at 9:00 a.m.
Address:  4611 Tumwater Valley Drive Southeast)

Want to get a head start on your weekend? Join us for Birding and Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month.

Bird with us at 7:30 a.m., then enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant at 9:00 a.m. Or, if you’re a late riser, just join us for breakfast and we’ll give you the run down on what birds are in the area. Beginning birders are welcome.

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon)
 

Leader(s): Guy Maguire (CLT) and Bonnie Wood (BHAS)

Capitol Land Trust (CLT) will be our partner for this field trip to a nearby gem, Oakland Bay Park, about eight miles north of Shelton. Although the park is county-owned, CLT has a conservation easement on it. This is a perfect opportunity to explore the park. Trails can be found throughout the property, along with bathrooms and plenty of parking. Dress for the weather and bring water and snacks.

Conserved in 2005, this 85-acre property contains 2000 feet of intact, functional marine shoreline, nearshore and estaurine habitat on upper Oakland Bay, and approximately 3/4 mile of Melany Creek riparian habitat from estuary to uplands. A rich, diverse native vegetation buffer lines the property's marine shorelines and associated uplands, providing important habitat for salmonids, including chum, Chinook, cutthroat, steelhead and coho, and numerous species of birds and other wildlife.

Directions from Olympia: Take Highway 101 North towards Shelton. Take the first Shelton exit and continue through downtown Shelton on Olympic Highway/Highway #3, following signs for Highway #3 East. Take a right to continue on Highway #3 and go about 6.5 miles. Take a right on Agate Road, just past the Deer Creek gas station. Go about 2 miles. Take a right onto the property. There will be a white sandwich board saying "Capitol Land Trust Event" with an arrow at the turn.

Call the BHAS message line, (360) 352-7299, to reserve a spot.

June 13-16, (Thurs. -Sun.)

Event:   The Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival

Location: Sisters, Oregon

East Cascades Audubon Society invites you to central Oregon for its annual Woodpecker Festival. Last year, 11 woodpecker species and 200 other birds were seen. The $30/person fee is used to fund their education programs. Two local guides accompany every tour. For more information and details, see www.ecaudubon.org . Click first on "Projects" and then "Woodpecker Weekend."

4:30 pm

On June 17^th, we will again share favorite birding spots and adventures and also discuss what we can offer during this time frame and develop some presentations appropriate for the venue, group size, and time period.

Location:  The Fish Tale Brew Pub
               515 Jefferson St SE
               Olympia, WA 98501

We will have a sign directing you to the couches in the back where we will gather. Hope to see you there.

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Third
 

Leaders:   David Wienecke, Denis DeSilvis, and/or Valerie Elliott

Join us for a field trip to a new site. We’re planning on making this a monthly nature/bird watching trip on the 3rd Thursday of each month throughout the year. This trip will be from 1-3 miles long on relatively level ground. It will explore forest, water and open area species.

No security passes are required. Trip starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the golf course driving range parking lot.

Location: Exit 116 (Mounts Road), turn north, turn right into Eagle’s Pride Golf Course clubhouse parking area, go down ramp and make an immediate, hard left onto driving range access road (narrow road). Proceed to driving range parking area.

For more information contact David Wienecke at david.l.wienecke.naf@mail.mil or (253) 964-0341 (office) or (760) 828-8788 (mobile).

“Taking Flight Together”

Location: Skamania Lodge, 45 minutes east of Portland, Oregon, near Stevenson, Washington in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.

Come celebrate the Audubon network and share your energy and passion for conserving birds throughout the flyways with leaders from across the country!

For more information, and to register, visit: www.audubonconvention.org 

6:30 a.m. - late afternoon
 

Leaders: Jan Sharkey and Kristin Stewart

Join us for a Mt. Rainier wildflowers trip - on a Thursday, so we can avoid the weekend crowds. However, the date for this trip may change depending on snow and flower conditions at Paradise. We will go for a relatively easy and slow hike and enjoy the views, the flowers, and any birds we happen upon. We plan to hike a fair distance, but at a leisurely pace. Be aware, we will start our walk at Paradise at 5100 ' and climb up to 6000'. Folks who do not want to hike too far are welcome to join us for as long as they wish; they may stop along the way. As is usual on the mountain, be prepared for all weather conditions. Bring food and water. If you have FRS radios, they might also be useful.

Meet at the Martin Way Park and Ride at about 6:15 a.m., to leave by 6:30 a.m. Call Jan Sharkey at (360) 943-8786 or Kristin Stewart at (360) 456-5098 to sign up.

Save the date! From August 22 to 25, Black Hills Audubon Society (BHAS) will host the first joint conference of the Western Field Ornithologists (WFO) and the Washington Ornithology Society (WOS) at the Red Lion Inn in Olympia. The conference will feature over 20 field trips in addition to workshops, science sessions, and panels.  See flyer.

Plan to attend, even if just for part of the conference. Some of the panel discussions and presentations will be delightful and informative as world experts form teams to take on quiz show type challenges. The bird vocalization and bird photo identification challenges have become sessions of legend. Seating for these events will be at a premium. Other presentations, offered by researchers, authors, and experts in their field, provide insight into little known species or aspects of bird life.

All-day field trips will be held Thursday, August 22 and Sunday, August 25. Half-day (early morning until about noon) field trips will be on Friday and Saturday, August 23 and 24. Friday and Saturday afternoons will feature workshops, presentations, and a dinner with keynote speaker.

WFO is an organization promoting the study, appreciation, and protection of birds in western North America. Amateur and professional field ornithologists are invited to join. Members include many of the foremost birders, authors, professional ornithologists, nature photographers, artists, and guides.

To learn more about WFO and register for the conference visit: http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org

WOS provides a place for birders to meet and share information on bird identification, biology, populations, and birding sites. Many of Washington’s most skilled and avid birders are active in WOS. Learn more at: http://www.wos.org/aboutwos.html.

For further information or to volunteer at the conference, contact: Whittier Johnson at 360-866-8156.