All-day Field Trip to Coast

WHEN:  Monday, September 11

TIME:  All day with 6:00 am starting time, and 6-7:00 pm estimated return time.

PLACE:  Meet at the Mud Bay Park & Ride to form carpools.

DESTINATIONS:  Plan “A” is to bird the “north Harbor” (Ocean Shores, Point Brown jetty, Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area, Hoquiam sewage treatment ponds, etc). But if recent reports are not favorable, we will switch to “south Harbor” (Bottle Beach, Westport, Tokeland, etc). The idea is to find the most interesting variety of birds. We won’t decide until a few days in advance.

LEADER:  Paul Hicks

REGISTRATION:  This trip will be limited to 4 cars with 4 occupants each. Please register with Kathleen Snyder at ksnyder75@nullgmail.com and (1) provide your email and cell number, and (2) indicate if you can drive.  Vehicles will need a Discovery Pass. Those who don’t drive will contribute money for gas.

SUMMARY: It is south-bound migration time at the coast!  We will explore hotspots around the Grays Harbor area and expect to see adult and juvenile shorebirds refueling and moving through. This is an ambitious drive-park-and-bird type of day with considerable beach walking, up to 3-4 miles. Some sites require boots that can get muddy. Bring a lunch, water, and snacks in a hands-free pack.  And bring a garbage bag if you switch out of your muddy boots. If you have a scope, please bring it.  If time allows, we will expand the day to include, for example, Burrows Road (north Harbor), Westhaven State Park, North Cove (south Harbor) or Brady Loop (return).

QUESTIONS? Contact Paul Hicks (paulhicks7373@nullgmail.com | 360-870-3819) or Kathleen Snyder (ksnyder75@nullgmail.com | 425-971-8021). Registrants will receive more details prior to the trip.

Photo credit: Black-bellied Plover, by Mick Thompson.