Bird-A-Thon donation is required for field trips from May 1 thru May 20. Trips during this period raise funds to support our Seattle Audubon programs.
Registration for all Field Trips is now open. Sign up by calling 206-523-4483, Monday through Saturday from 10am - 5pm.
For more information about field trips and registration procedures, click here. To download a PDF of the current field trips and classes including Bird-A-Thon trips click here.
Click here for previously-listed Bird-A-Thon field trips.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - Limit 12
Vashon Island
Leader: Ed Swan
Meet on 8:25 ferry from Fauntleroy, park in south most Lincoln Park parking lot
We will start birding from the Fauntleroy ferry! There may still be Rhino Auklets and Common Murre on the way over. We'll bird a little at the dock on the Vashon side. Often in spring a few Harlequin Ducks hang out there at high tide (about the time of the ferry arrival). We’ll head to Fisher Pond, which may be covered with Wood Duck and Mallard broods. We’ll also visit Mukai Pond to look and listen for flycatchers and warblers. Cost: $9 each plus a share of $14.65 car and driver ticket. If we organize to buy a Wave2Go pass (10 passenger/walk-on tickets for $39.70) we will each save a $1.
Saturday, May 25, 2012 - Limit 12
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area (Stillwater Unit), Snoqualmie River environs, and Tolt-MacDonald Park
Leaders: Carl Haynie (425-281-3237) and Scott Ramos
6:30 AM, Bear Creek Park-and-Ride (7760 178th PL. NE, Redmond)
Come explore the riparian, marsh, and open areas along parts of the Snoqualmie Valley between Carnation and Duvall, including the rich habitats near the Stillwater Unit of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area. After a short time on the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail, we’ll make our way toward the river where rarities in past years have included such gems as Western Bluebird, Bank Swallow, Loggerhead Shrike, and American Redstart. Expect to see a good assortment of late spring migrants and early summer arrivals at this time of year. We’ll finish up with a jaunt through MacDonald Park. Bring a lunch and plenty of water. Allergy sufferers might want to bring their medication to deal with hiking through long grass. Anticipate about 4 miles of hiking on mostly flat terrain for most of the morning, followed by a moderate climb in MacDonald. Over no later than 3 PM. Carpool cost: $8.00, shared equally by riders. A Discover Pass is required for drivers.
Sunday, May 26, 2013 - Limit 9
Yakima Canyon & Umtanum Creek
Leaders: John White, Mary Russell, Jean Trent
6:00 AM, North Bend Outlet Mall Parking Area
We will explore the various migrant and residents birds of the Yakima Canyon with stops along the Yakima River and a 1-3 mile hike along Umtanum Creek. Expect lots of woodland birds and raptors. Beginners welcome. Wear boots and expect warm weather, but be prepared for cold, wet and windy conditions, just in case. Bring lunch, snacks and lots of liquids. Bring binocs, and scope if desired. Expect to be back to North Bend by 6:30pm. Carpool cost: $65.00, shared equally among riders.
Sunday, June 9, 2013 - Limit 12, carpooling in 4 or fewer vehicles
Peregrine Falcons – The breeding season in urban and natural sites
Leaders: Martin Muller (206-525-5575) & Ed Deal (206-713-1546). Calls day of trip only.
7:00 AM Sharp, Ivar’s Salmon House, 401 NE Northlake Way, Seattle (Under the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge – North end)
Join us for a full-day viewing (hopefully successful) Peregrine Falcon breeding pairs and their young. We’ll spend the morning in the Cascades along I-90 and the afternoon in Seattle. This exploration will cover how to view nest sites without disturbing the residents, nest site selection, territorial defense, growth, fledging and dispersal of young. Please dress warmly for standing in one spot, with lots of layers available. Bring a lunch and latte money and a spotting scope too, if possible. Discover Passes useful. Over no later than 4:00PM. Carpool cost: $30.00, shared equally by riders.
Saturday, June 8, 2013 - Limit 10 in 3 cars
Umtanum Creek Canyon
Leaders: Tiffany Linbo and Mark Wolff (920)257-6376
6:00 AM, Ravenna P&R
Prepare to hike 6 miles through sage-steppe, riparian, Ponderosa pine, and open meadows up Umtanum Creek. Elevation gain is gradual, but there are a couple of shallow stream crossings. Birds we hope to see include Yellow-breasted Chat, Prairie Falcon, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, and Lewis Woodpecker. Wear appropriate footwear. Bring lunch, water and snacks; back late afternoon. Fee payable at the parking lot or National Parks Pass required for each car. Carpool cost: $30 shared equally by riders.
Sunday, June 9, 2013 - Limit 12
Birding By Ear on the Tradition Plateau
Leaders: Sharon Ellard, Cara Borre, and Julie Monahan, Phone number: 206-963-4781
6:30 AM, Ravenna Park & Ride (North) or
7:00 AM, Issaquah Park & Ride (Tibbetts Lot, 1675 Newport Way NW)
(Please indicate where you will be meeting when you register)
About 5 hours will be spent birding up to 5 miles at the base of Tiger Mountain near Issaquah. Passerines including vireos, warblers and flycatchers will be heard. Bring food, water, and quiet raingear. Carpool cost: $15.00, shared equally by riders who choose to meet at Ravenna Park & Ride. Discover Passes required for drivers.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - Limit 11
Whidbey Island
Leader: Brian H. Bell (206-619-0379 morning of trip only)
6:00 AM, NE 145th Park & Ride (N Jackson Park Park & Ride)
We will explore Whidbey for passerines, alcids, loons, grebes, waterfowl and any lingering shorebirds. Bring lunch, fluids, scopes and Discovery Pass. Carpool cost $50 shared equally by riders plus ferry.
Saturday, June 15 - Limit 10
East Cascades Foothills and Robinson Canyon
Co-leaders: Jim Owens (206-795-3195) and Jeanelle Richardson
6:00 AM, southwest corner of the Issaquah Transit Center’s first floor
We'll start at the crest of the Cascades and bird our way east along a route that will include Bullfrog Pond, the Northern Pacific Ponds, Swauk Prairie, Hidden Valley, Liberty campground, and finally either Umtanum Road or the base of Robinson Canyon, looking and listening for warblers, vireos, bluebirds, nuthatches, flycatchers, Western Tanagers and other birds breeding on the dry side of the Cascades. Bring lunch, snacks, liquids, a Discover Pass, sun protection and clothing appropriate for warm weather. Scopes are optional, but could be useful. Back by early evening. Carpool cost: $60.00 shared equally by riders.
Previously-listed Field Trips
Bird-A-Thon Field Trips
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - Limit 6 in 2 cars
King County Big Day
Birdathon Donation: $25
Leaders: Michael Hobbs & Matt Bartels (Cell phone for day of only: 425-301-1032)
5:30 AM, Marymoor Park near the Clise Mansion
We will start with the sunrise at Marymoor, and then move around the county birding at a fast pace until sunset. Participants should log more than 100 species, but the emphasis is on having pun. Bring food and drink, and dress for weather and fast walking. Contact leaders for info on pre-trip owling. Carpool cost: $40.00 shared equally by riders.
Saturday, May 4, 2012 - Limit 12
Wenas Creek
Birdathon Donation: $25
Leader: Peter Klein (206-794-2651)
6:30 AM, Ravenna P&R
We will explore the many habitats -- sage, pine forest, and riparian -- of this rich area in spring. We'll see Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Vesper and Brewer Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatches, and possibly a White-headed Woodpecker. Bring a lunch; expect to be back early evening. Carpool cost shared equally by riders.
Saturday, May 4, 2013 – Limit 12
Montlake Fill
Birdathon Donation: $15
Leader Connie Sidles
8:30 AM, the birders' kiosk at the west end of the Center for Urban Horticulture, where there is a small, free parking lot.
Walk around Montlake Fill with author Connie Sidles: Take a spring Bird-a-thon walk around one of King County's best birding sites as we look for spring migrants and the odd winter straggler. We'll take our time, ambling and birding along the Loop Trail, finishing back at the parking lot at 11:30 a.m. My records show we could see: Greater White-fronted Goose, Blue-winged Teal, Green Heron, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Caspian Tern, Hammond's Flycatcher, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, House Wren, and Western Tanager, among many other returning and resident birds. It's been a great year for rarities so far and why not more today? With all our eyes on the lookout, we could spot a county first!
Saturday May 11, 2013 - Limit 7 in 3 vehicles
JBLM and Environs
Birdathon Donation: $25
Leader: Denis DeSilvis (425-830-9895)
7:00 AM, Starbucks on west side of I-5, Exit 119 (I-5 exit #119 Steilacoom-Dupont exit. Turn west/right from exit; turn right at light, and then a right at next road.)
Join Denis for a tour of the most diverse area in the Puget lowlands. JBLM contains some of the last and largest extant prairies and naturally occurring Ponderosa pine and oak woodlands in Western Washington. JBLM is host to species that typically breed in eastern Washington: Lazuli Bunting, Vesper Sparrow, Western Bluebird, Streaked Horned Lark, and Western Meadowlark, to name a few. It is often possible to travel through four different habitat types within 200 meters, creating extensive edge effects for species diversity. Due to troop training, places visited depend on areas that are open. We May also visit areas near JBLM. Some walking is involved. Everyone must have either a state or US photo ID to get on base (state driver license preferred to get Range Control pass). Drivers MUST have current proof of insurance, driver license, and vehicle registration (no exceptions allowed at JBLM). Bring lunch and liquids; scopes a plus. Return late afternoon/early evening. Carpool cost: $10 shared equally by riders.
Sunday, May 19, 2013 – Limit 12
Discovery Park
Birdathon Donation: $15
Leader Penny Rose (206-619-1203)
6:00 AM, Discovery Park East/Visitor Center parking lot
Lower your birding carbon footprint and challenge yourself to maximum bird species in one park. Join us as we will bird a variety of habitats searching for migrants, residents and rarities. Bring lunch and a lawn chair for maximum comfort. Over by 1 PM.