FEBRUARY FIELD TRIPS
By Libby Mills
Skagit Audubon Field Trips
Beginning birders are always welcome on Skagit Audubon field trips, and membership in Skagit Audubon is not required. Participants gladly help each other identify and enjoy the birds. Please be prepared for the weather with suitable clothing, and bring field guides, binoculars, and spotting scopes. Don’t forget snacks or lunch and a thermos with warm drinks for winter walks. Carpool whenever possible and please offer to contribute to the driver’s expense.
Watch the e-mail reminders for the latest information, including any changes and/or additions to the field trip schedule. To be added to the e-mail distribution list, contact Libby Mills: libbymills@gmail.com.
Please note that the field trip descriptions are deliberately brief and do not describe complete trip itineraries. If you plan to join a trip other than at the described starting point, call the leader the day before to ensure a successful rendezvous. Plans change as conditions shift and opportunities arise. Timely notification by e-mail isn’t always possible.
Saturday, February 6
Washington Park, west of Anacortes
Meet at 8:30 a.m.This field trip will be geared to beginners, but those with more experience will find plenty to see as well. Being on a paved road, closed until 10 a.m. to cars, it is especially Washington Park and other Field Trips
suited to folks who have difficulty walking on rugged trails. The first half mile is level, so anyone with limited mobility or in a wheelchair is invited to be in the group for this part of the walk. Seabirds, shorebirds, woodpeckers, and songbirds are among the birds we'll seek.
Meet at the parking lot at 8:30 near the restrooms, just past the boat trailer lot, and plan on two hours to walk the loop road. After that, those who wish may join us and visit Heart Lake and look for ducks, about 5 miles away.
To get to Washington Park follow the San Juan Ferry signs through Anacortes (at the roundabout go north on Commercial to 12th, which becomes Oakes Avenue.) At the traffic light just above the ferry, keep to the left and continue on Sunset Avenue to its end at the park. Bring binoculars and scope if you have one, dress for the weather. We'll go rain or shine.
Leaders: Cynthia and Jack Richardson,
richrson@cnw.comSunday, February 14
Skagit Flats Wildlife Areas
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 or soBegin Valentine's Day by celebrating your love of birds with friends.
Waterfowl hunting season is over and we'll explore some of the favorite sites of the Skagit Wildlife Area. Meet at Wiley Slough wildlife area, in the parking lot near headquarters. Footing will probably be wet or muddy and bring layers for the weather. We'll try and track down raptors and waterfowl, songbirds and maybe even an early southern migrant. Please bring your Dept. of Wildlife parking pass to park at the "game range" and other sites along the route. Contact Libby if you need help locating the area.
Leader Libby Mills: 360-757-4139; libbymills@gmail.comSaturday, February 27
Birding the Upper Skagit ValleyMeet at 8 a.m. in the Thrifty Foods parking lot,
SE corner, off Highway 20 in Sedro Woolley.
We'll end the month with a Saturday visit to some favorite birding sites upriver around Rockport and Barnaby Slough, seeking winter resident birds as well as early migrants. The Bald Eagles may have moved on but bird song and grouse booming may be sneaking in from under the sword ferns and around the marsh. There is always some unexpected surprise and fun in the field on a trip with our leader.
Leader John Day, 360-856-0644, jday@fidalgo.netSamish Island Bird Walks with Howard Armstrong
As weather and time permit, Howard Armstrong leads bird walks on Samish Island for beginners and experts alike. To be contacted when these walks are scheduled, send a message to Howard: godwits@wavecable.com asking to be added to his e-mail notification list.
