Field Trips

Join Burt Guttman for his annual quest for winter birds in downtown Olympia. This trip is especially oriented toward beginner birders, but all interested folks are welcome. There may be many kinds of ducks, geese, grebes, and the occasional swan or loon possible, as well as passerines in the trees and shrubs. Meet at Marathon ... Read more

This is an overnight trip leaving Olympia Saturday, March 18 and returning Sunday, March 19, 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

Cranberry Lake Tree Farm is 440+ acres of working multi-age forest surrounding a pristine 200+ acre lake. This is a working tree farm and has a new boardwalk, shelter, and toilet facilities. These hundreds of acres of wood and water are home to eagles, loons, bears, trumpeter swans, osprey, heron, beavers, cougars, and more! Expect ... Read more

So popular was this past November's field trip aboard the Lady Alderbrook on Hood Canal, we are doing it again. We will again board the Lady Alderbrook at the Alderbrook Resort and seek birds upon and above the waters of Hood Canal. Bill Tweit and Whittier Johnson have again agreed to be our expert birders ... Read more

Meet at 6:00 a.m., bright and early, at the Flora Vista entrance to Priest Point Park to hear birdsongs at their freshest.  Learn the songs of common natives as well as listen for migrants who may have flown in overnight.  To sign up, e-mail Kevin Head at khead@ekit.com or call 360-943-3752.  There is a limit ... Read more

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

Meet at 6:00 a.m., bright and early, at the Flora Vista entrance to Priest Point Park to hear birdsongs at their freshest.  Learn the songs of common natives as well as listen for migrants who may have flown in overnight.  To sign up, e-mail Kevin Head at khead@ekit.com or call 360-943-3752.  There is a limit ... Read more

This is a repeat of April 22's trip to Pioneer Park in Tumwater, an under-appreciated birding spot. This week, members of the National Wildlife Federation will join us. Driving past Pioneer Park on Henderson Road, one thinks the park consists solely of baseball and soccer fields. Less easily seen is the Deschutes River flowing through ... Read more

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 in overnight. Please e-mail Kevin Head if you wish to attend at khead@ekit.com or call 360-943-3752. There is a limit of ... Read more

  Our annual joint field trip with Capitol Land Trust takes us to Darlin Creek Preserve this year. 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. ... 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

Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on this morning field trip to Tumwater Historical Park, where proximity to water and verges between open space and copses encourage plenty of bird activity. Expect to see the usual (yet always charming) native species, waterfowl, and perhaps more exciting this time of year, migrating species such as warblers. Paths ... Read more

Organized with the assistance of the Tahoma Audubon and resident caretaker, BHAS is returning this year 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 ... Read more

This is an overnight trip during Memorial Day weekend to one of the Northwest's birding hotspots - the Klamath Falls, Oregon area, including Upper Klamath Lake environs and Lower Klamath Wildlife Refuge on the Oregon/California state line. The trip is open to birders of all skill levels who would enjoy seeing waterfowl and woodland birds. ... Read more

This property is adjacent to 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. We will be mostly out on replanted pastures, which are still quite ... Read more

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, Wilson Warblers, and Pileated Woodpeckers as we walk through the deep forest of cedars and Douglas fir and reach Henderson Inlet where we may see Cormorants, Purple Martins, and ... 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

This field trip has a little bit of everything: birds, botany, butterflies, as well as two knowledgeable and energetic leaders. Explore the birds and plants at two choice South Sound prairie sites near Olympia: Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve and Scatter Creek Wildlife Area. At both sites we should see prairie flowers, prairie birds, and ... Read more

This short-notice field trip offers a chance to join other Black Hills Audubon birders in the evening to see Vaux's Swifts at the Chapman School in Portland.   Meet at the rear of the school along the fence line at 6:00 p.m.  Bring snacks to share if you like. Every year Vaux Swifts migrate south ... Read more