Field Trips

Capital Lake is always wonderful in the winter, typically rich in waterfowl, especially a great variety of ducks.  And we often find some unusual species to make the experience even more special. We emphasize helping people with less experience in birding as they learn to identify categories of birds, and we concentrate on water birds ... Read more

Kennedy Creek and Kennedy Creek Estuary are magnets for many species of wintering birds.  Raptors feed on chum carcasses.  Peregrines feed on Dunlin, peeps and other little shorebirds.  Gulls and shorebirds feed on krill and other niblets left by falling tides.  There is a viewing area overlooking the preserve and Oyster Bay.  You will be ... Read more

Here is a chance to explore some birding hotspots in Lewis County near Centralia, an area that generally our field trips neglect.  We'll travel to Goodrich Rd, Borst Park, Airport Rd, Hillburger Pond and Alexander Park to find waterfowl and winter forest birds. Meet at the Centralia Safeway, 1129 Harrison in Centralia at 8am to ... Read more

Taylor Wetlands is an unassuming bit of property on the Olympia-Lacy border, a bit south of the I-5 freeway, owned by the City of Olympia. Easily accessible and just off the Olympia Woodland Trail at mile 3 1/2, it has a varied habitat, including swamps, brush, mature trees (Douglas Fir, Cedar and Big Leaf Maple), ... Read more

This is an overnight trip leaving Olympia Saturday, March 16 and returning Sunday, March 17, with Saturday night in Port Angeles. The focus is on seabirds at several locations on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The trip is especially suitable for beginning and intermediate birders, but is open to birders of all skill levels ... Read more

Still Waters Farm is a 48-acre tree farm certified sustainable by the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) and the Forest Stewardship Council( FSC). The farm has a 20-acre peat wetland system that has been disturbed at least twice in its history; much work has been done to restore this wetland and to enhance the wetland ... Read more

Cruising and birding Hood Canal aboard the Lady Alderbrook has proven a very popular field trip, and here it is again! We will board the Lady Alderbrook at the Alderbrook Resort at 9:00 a.m. The Lady Alderbrook has two decks, and if the weather happens to be rainy and cold, one can go inside and look ... Read more

Skokomish Valley Farms (http://www.skokomishvalleyfarms.com) is located at the foot of the Olympic Mountains in Western Washington. The 735-acre farm is owned by 18 families who work together to provide tasty vegetables and eggs for the local community. Their goal is to be the best possible stewards of the land they farm. To that end, they ... Read more

Although this field trip requires you to get up early, bear in mind that early mornings can be magical, especially spring's early mornings. Meet at the Flora Vista entrance to Priest Point Park bright and early to hear bird songs at their freshest. Learn the songs of common natives as well as listen for migrants ... Read more

Lakewood's 342-acre park offers a diversity of habitat ranging from open meadows, brushy areas, hillsides, deciduous groves, coniferous woodland, and Waughop Lake. There are numerous foot trails throughout the park making exellent access for birding that has included over 150 species identified within the park. Every season in the park has its birding rewards. This ... Read more

You never know what birds may appear – or sing – on any given day. Consider joining Kevin this morning, even if you joined him last Tuesday, to hear birdsongs at their freshest. Learn the songs of cmomon natives as well as listen for migrants who have come in overnight. Please e-mail Kevin Head if ... Read more

Protection Island is an amazing National Wildlife Refuge located just outside Port Townsend. Nearly 70 percent of the nesting seabird population of Puget Sound and the Strait nest on the island. This includes one of the largest colonies of Rhinoceros Auklets in the USA. Although the refuge is closed to the public, visitors can view ... Read more

This beautiful property was conserved by Capitol Land Trust in 2016 and is comprised of 312 acres, protecting hundreds of acres of healthy forest, 70 acres of diverse wetland habitat, Lake Lucinda, and two miles of streams. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours at the preserve. As always, dress for the weather; ... Read more

Foul weather forced the rescheduling of this trip from April 6 to April 28.  Please note also that the cruise will take place 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Cruising and birding Hood Canal aboard the Lady Alderbrook has proven a very popular field trip, and here it is again! We will board the Lady Alderbrook ... Read more

Although this field trip requires you to get up early, bear in mind that early mornings can be magical, especially spring's early mornings. Meet at the Flora Vista entrance to Priest Point Park bright and early to hear birdsongs at their freshest. Learn the songs of common natives as well as listen for migrants who ... Read more

Conservationists, biologists, and many others have worked hard to restore and maintain stretches of the ancient South Sound prairie, and Glacial Heritage Preserve is one epitome of those efforts. I remember helping The Nature Conservancy pull Scotch Broom there when I first moved to Olympia, and to see the preserve's open grasslands now makes me ... Read more

Come celebrate the 24th annual Prairie Appreciation Day at Glacial Heritage Preserve. Learn about and experience one of the rarest plant communities (and its inhabitants) in the South Puget Sound region located right here in Thurston County. The celebration is full of activities for all ages, including wildflower walks, tractor rides, and butterfly and bee ... Read more

Acquired by Capitol Land Trust in 2018 and not open to the public, 60-acre Blooms Preserve includes 2000 feet of Blooms Ditch, which provides essential habitat for Coho and Steelhead Salmon, sea-run Cutthroat Trout, and the threatened Oregon Spotted Frog. Coincidentally, the preserve also provides habitat for diverse birds. Migratory species and courting and nesting ... Read more

THIS TRIP, LIMITED TO 12, IS NOW FULL.  (May 6, 2019) This trip is for birders with ambition and stamina. Southern Thurston County has several marvelous birding hotspots, a variety of habitats, which Paul Hicks knows intimately. The trip will visit a variety of locations in South County in a quest to find 70+ species. ... Read more