BirdFest and Bluegrass is the main event every year that the Friends & the City of Ridgefield put on to bring awareness to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and all that is has to offer. We celebrate the Sandhill Crane returning to the Refuge, a huge stately bird that is endangered in Washington State, and we ... Read more
Birding without Breakfast, October through December Saturday, October 1: Woodard Bay Conservation Area at 7:30 a.m. Leader: Bob Wadsworth. From Olympia: take Boston Harbor Road north, then right on Woodard Bay Road, crossing Libby Road. There is a small parking area requiring a Discover Pass on the left just before crossing the bridge over Woodard ... Read more
Date: Saturday, 1 October 2022 Time: 8-10 AM Trip Leader: Lin Stern Description: A slow walk through Grass Lake Nature Park. The park contains the headwaters of Green Cove Creek and one of the most environmentally intact wetland systems in northern Thurston County. Over 100 bird species and 200 plant species have been recorded in the park. Grass Lake ... Read more
LADY ALDERBROOK CRUISE IS BACK!! Join us on Sunday, October 2 from 12 noon to 2:00 cruising the Hood Canal on the Lady Alderbrook. We will board the Lady Alderbrook at the Alderbrook Resort in Union and spend two hours enjoying the birds with professional guides Bruce LaBar, Gene Revelas, and Bill Tweit. As in ... Read more
Date: Saturday, 8 October 2022 Start/End: Meet at 8 AM and plan around two hours for the walk. Trip leader: Kyle Leader Description: The walk is around the North Pool of Capitol Lake focusing on waterfowl Location: Meet at Marathon Park, Olympia. Look for people with scopes and binoculars. Restrooms are available at Marathon Park. ... Read more
October Speaker Program via Zoom Dr. Kim Adelson, PhD Thursday October 13th 7 pm For hundreds of years, birds have been considered incapable of advanced thought or learning. This is why the phrase “bird brain” is commonly used to denote persons who are dolts or simpletons. But… do birds really deserve this bad rap? ... Read more
Date: Saturday, 15 October 2022 Start/End: 8 - 11 AM Trip leader: Grace Thornton Meeting Place: Meet at Woodard Bay parking area. Discovery Pass required. Look for people with binoculars. Description: This field trip is primarily for beginning and intermediate birders. Dress appropriately for the day's weather. Be prepared to walk an approximately ½ mile ... Read more
BIRDS AND BREW October 17TH LOCATION: BOSTON HARBOR MARINA 312 73RD AVE NE OLYMPIA We will meet one more time this year at Boston Harbor Marina which is a lovely spot to gather and talk. It has a covered deck area with picnic tables. This is open to Black Hills members and non-members alike. ... Read more
Photo credit: Boardwalk at Nisqually by Mary Birchem Trip leader: Mary Birchem Registration and contact for further information: Pre-registration required. Please contact Mary Birchem at mbirchem5@gmail.com to register. Description: This event is in honor of Birdability Week, which is a celebration of birders with disabilities and other health concerns. You don’t have to be a ... Read more
Leader: Bob Wadsworth Description: LBA Woods is an urban forest that at this time provides habitat for overwintering forest birds in the Olympia area. A variety of mostly flat trails provide opportunities to see birds in coniferous and deciduous tree habitats. Dress for the weather, bring binoculars, and prepare for some mud on trails if ... Read more
In all seasons of the year, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge has something to see. We are lucky to have this treasured preserve in Thurston County. An important stop on the Pacific migratory route north and south, waterfowl stop and may congregate in great numbers here. A mix of habitats - mixed ... Read more
NOTE: We are unable to accommodate COVID-19 unvaccinated individuals. Leader: Gary Wiles Description: This destination is a seven-mile drivable loop through farmlands and adjoining woodlots and wetlands in the Chehalis River Valley in eastern Grays Harbor County. We'll search for raptors, lingering shorebirds, and a variety of other species. Dress for the weather and bring ... Read more
NOTE: We are unable to accommodate COVID-19 unvaccinated individuals. Leader: Carla Miller Description: Birding without Breakfast at KGY point. The walk will be in the Budd Inlet area, with possible extension to Capitol Lake. Birding without Breakfast walks are especially appropriate for beginning and intermediate birders. Participants will need to follow current COVID-19 protocols and ... Read more
In all seasons of the year, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge has something to see. We are lucky to have this treasured preserve in Thurston County. An important stop on the Pacific migratory route north and south, waterfowl stop and may congregate in great numbers here. A mix of habitats - mixed ... Read more
SPEAKER PROGRAM VIA ZOOM BIRDING TIPS LEARNED THROUGH A MISSPENT YOUTH Cameron Cox Thursday November 10th 7 pm Cameron spent his early adulthood traveling the country in search of birds. The lessons he learned were earned by sleeping on picnic tables to avoid nocturnal snake snuggling, having his most prominent piece of household décor be ... Read more
NOTE: We are unable to accommodate Covid unvaccinated individuals. Birding at the McLane Creek Nature Trail Date: Saturday, 12 November 2022. Meet at 8 AM and plan around two hours for the walk. Trip leader: Michelle Huppert Location: From Olympia, drive west for two miles on Hwy 101. Take the exit for Black Lake Boulevard, ... Read more
NOTE: We are unable to accommodate Covid unvaccinated individuals. Birding Field Trip to Theler Wetlands Trail WHERE: 22641 Highway 3, Belfair, Wa WHEN: Sunday, November 13, 2022, 8 AM – Noon TRIP LEADER: Whittier Johnson FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Whittierwj@comcast.net DESCRIPTION: The walk will cover about 3 miles. Long a favorite birding hot spot, Theler Wetlands ... Read more
In all seasons of the year, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge has something to see. We are lucky to have this treasured preserve in Thurston County. An important stop on the Pacific migratory route north and south, waterfowl stop and may congregate in great numbers here. A mix of habitats - mixed ... Read more
COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team) will hold a training at Evergreen State College November 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This training will be a combined Beached Birds and Marine Debris Training. Established in 1999, The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) is a citizen science project housed at the University ... Read more
