Field Trips

Pioneer Park on Henderson Road in Tumwater is an under-appreciated birding site gem. Driving past it, one thinks the park consists solely of baseball and soccer fields. Less easily seen is the Deschutes River flowing through the park, the wide wetlands behind the baseball fields, and the mown paths that meander through riparian woods and ... 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

Sure, this field trip requires you to get up early, but bear in mind that spring early mornings can be magical. 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 have come ... 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 Straits 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

Sure, this field trip requires you to get up early, but bear in mind that spring early mornings can be magical. 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 have come ... Read more

This property is adjacent to a dynamic stretch of the Nisqually River and is part of Nisqually Land Trust's Powell Creek Complex, a 460-acre block, which includes mature forest as well as riparian area. The site is home to abundant wildlife, including cougar, elk, and diverse waterfowl. With leaders Sam Merrill, Kevin Head, and Bonnie ... Read more

Normally closed, once a year the Glacial Heritage Preserve opens its restored South Sound prairies, streams, and oak woodlands to the public. The timing is grand: camas is in bloom; the hills' slopes are blue. Other rare prairie wildflowers are also in bloom, and prairie birds are busy. The day will start with an early ... Read more

Our annual joint field trip with Capitol Land Trust will return this year to 133-acre Twin Rivers Ranch, located at the northern terminus of Oakland Bay, five miles north of Shelton in Mason County. Twin Rivers Ranch is unlike any other place in the southern Puget Sound ecosystem. Salmon-bearing Deer and Cranberry Creeks flow through ... Read more

This trip is for hard-core 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. Expect plenty of “action,” as migration will be in full ... Read more

This walk is designed primarily for beginning and intermediate birders. Sam Merrill and Tracey Scalici will help you look and listen for woodland birds such as Swainson’s Thrushes, Pacific Wrens, Brown Creepers, Wilson Warblers, and Pileated Woodpeckers as we walk through the deep forest of cedars and Douglas fir and reach Henderson Inlet where we ... Read more

Organized with the assistance of the Tahoma Audubon and resident caretaker, BHAS is returning to the Morse Preserve. The Morse Wildlife Preserve (Graham, WA) was established by a donation of land from Lloyd and Maxine Morse in 1995. It is situated at the headwaters of the north fork of Muck Creek and consists of various ... Read more

While the South Unit at Scatter Creek, near Grand Mound, recovers from last summer's wildfire, the North Unit is untouched and has the same wildflowers and birds. The creek along the North Unit runs dry in summer, but there are still oak/ash riparian woodlands to bird, and conifer forest adjacent. Expect to see Savannah Sparrows, ... Read more

Bob Wadsworth of Black Hills Audubon and Friends of LBA Woods will be guiding this bird walk to see some of the 68 species he’s identified so far in these woods. This walk is limited to 12 participants, so please RSVP to Maria Ruth (Friends of LBA Woods) at mariaruthbooks@comcast.net to save your spot. Bring your binoculars ... Read more

The McLane Creek Nature Trail consists of an easy 1.4-mile loop trail winding through a variety of habitats. This is a perfect area for birders of all abilities to spot and hear large numbers of our local birds courting, nesting, feeding, and protecting territory. The heart of the area is a large beaver pond which ... Read more

Located near Millersylvania State Park, West Rocky Prairie is a large, high-quality, native prairie with oak, ash, and fir woodlands managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. This trip includes a good variety of open country and forest birds such as Chipping Sparrows, House Wrens, and six warbler species. Dress for the weather ... Read more

This is a trip in which you can participate for part or all of it. Car pool assistance provided. Each September Vaux’s Swifts return south, stopping to roost, rest and rejuvenate in chimneys or snags along the way. The Chapman School in Portland boasts a tower that hosts thousands of swifts during September. We begin ... Read more

This destination is a seven-mile driveable loop through farmlands and adjoining woodlots and wetlands in the Chehalis River valley in eastern Grays Harbor County. We'll search for migrating shorebirds and early raptors, plus a variety of other birds. Dress for the weather and bring water, snacks, and a spotting scope if you have one. Meet ... Read more

Sandhill Cranes will be our “target” species, along with Great Egrets and herons, geese and other waterfowl. These “big birds” should be plentiful at Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge and other sites in Clark County. Other interesting specialties include Red-Shouldered Hawk, American White Pelican, White-Breasted Nuthatch, and Lesser Goldfinch. Late-migrating shorebirds, warblers and other passerines are ... Read more

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