SUMMER FIELD TRIPS
By Tim MannsAbout the field trips
Beginning birders and their friends are always welcome on Skagit Audubon field trips. Membership in Skagit Audubon is encouraged but not required for participation.Please be prepared for the weather with suitable clothing, and bring field guides, binoculars, and spotting scopes. Carpool whenever possible and contribute to the driver’s expense.
Watch the email reminders for the latest information, including any changes and/or additions to the field trip schedule. To be added to the email distribution list contact Tim Manns at bctm@fidalgo.net.
If you plan to join a field trip some place other than the described starting point, call the trip leader the day before to ensure a successful rendezvous. Trip plans may change.Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7
Birding in Southwest WashingtonThis field trip will begin early Friday morning June 5, at Paradise Point State Park near Vancouver, Washington. For information about the park and to reserve a camp site, go to http://www.parks.wa.gov/.
At the top left of the page, look for “Find a Park.” Scroll down and click on “Paradise Point.” Click on “go” beneath “Find a Park.” Then use the menu at bottom left to read about the park and reserve a site. Act early to ensure a spot. Motels are available in Vancouver and vicinity.
We encourage carpooling, and participants who are camping may want to arrange in advance to share meals. Birding will be all day (early until late) Friday and Saturday and on Sunday morning for those still eager to bird and not needing more time to drive home. The field trip will be co-led by Howard Armstrong, and Ken Knittle of Vancouver Washington, of “Washington Birder" and county listing fame. Howard says, “Anyone who has not birded with Ken should go on this trip just for the unforgettable experience.” Howard will answer questions, and Ken will find the birds and tell the bad jokes.If you plan to participate, please send a message to Tim Manns (bctm@fidalgo.net) so that he can facilitate carpooling arrangements. Leaders: Howard Armstrong (360-766-6657 or godwits@wavecable.com) and Ken Knittle.
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Saturday and Sunday, June 20 – 21
Father’s Day Weekend Campout at Klipchuck CampgroundJoin fellow Skagit Audubon members for a fun, friendly, and relaxed weekend of birding and hiking at the Klipchuck Campground (U.S. Forest Service) near milepost 175 on State Route 20, just east of Washington Pass. Water faucets, fire pits, and sturdy picnic tables in a wooded setting make for a comfortable environment. Participants pool their resources Saturday evening for a special birders’ potluck dinner. For further information, contact Gail or Steve Aslanian at 360-435-9493.
Saturday, July 11
Dragonflies and Damselflies!
9:00 a.m. to NoonWhether you think of dragonflies and damselflies as the Red Barons of the insect world, or as living gems of dazzling color, they can both inspire and intrigue. These active insects play out their lives in a world that is all around us, yet is seldom noticed.
Join us to learn about life in the realm of the dragon, where meadowhawks, skimmers, bluets, and darners vie for attention. After a brief indoor session to review identification and biology of the Odonata, we’ll head into the field. The date and time of this trip are subject to change due to weather, and the meeting place may change to take advantage of opportunities. Please let the leaders know you plan to attend so that they can keep you informed. Bring binoculars. Spotting scopes are useful too. Meet at Padilla Bay Interpretive Center in Bayview. Leaders: Jim and Betsy Walker (360-293-3036 or jswphys@aol.com).
Calliope Hummingbird
Saturday, July 18
Hiking and Birding on Guemes Mountain
8:00 a.m. to Late afternoonSkagit Audubon is supporting the efforts of Skagit Land Trust and the San Juan Preservation Trust to preserve the summit of Guemes Island’s highest point from development (http://www.skagitlandtrust.org/pages/guemes.aspx). This spot with spectacular views all around, reached by a roundtrip hike of several miles and less than 1,000 feet elevation gain, is at the center of what will be almost 600 protected acres from uplands to shore. If you haven’t been up Guemes Mountain, here’s your chance, and we’ll see some birds too. If time permits, we’ll visit adjacent Square Harbor and the fine forest along its shores under Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife management. Bring binoculars, camera, snacks, lunch, water. Wear hiking boots and dress for a range of weather and temperature. Meet at 8:15 a.m. in the Anacortes Safeway parking lot (NW corner) to form carpools and catch the 9:00 a.m. ferry. Please contact the leaders if you plan to attend in case plans change. Leaders: Brenda Cunningham and Tim Manns (360-336-8753 or bctm@fidalgo.net).
Friday, July 31
Shorebirds at Port Susan Bay Preserve
2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.A summertime visit to a popular birding area. The date and time will put us at the reserve with an incoming tide and good light for the best chance of seeing shorebirds. Meet at the QFC supermarket on SR 532 in downtown Stanwood at 2:00 p.m. to arrange carpooling. Bring binoculars and, if you have one, a spotting scope. Bring something to eat and dress for the weather. Remember an extra layer for possible shoreline breeze. We’ll be visiting this preserve by special permission from The Nature Conservancy. Leaders: Jan and Keith Wiggers (360-757-0772).
Saturday, August 8
Dragonflies and Damselflies!
9:00 a.m. to NoonThis trip will be similar to that of July 11 but will go to different locations and see some different species. Meet at Padilla Bay Interpretive Center in Bayview. Please let the leaders know you plan to attend so that they can inform you of any changes in time or meeting place. Leaders: Jim and Betsy Walker (360-293-3036 or jswphys@aol.com).
Friday, August 14
Shorebirds at Port Susan Bay Preserve
11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.A repeat of the July 31 trip to see different migrants passing through. Meet at the QFC supermarket on SR 532 in downtown Stanwood at 11:00 a.m. to arrange carpooling. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes (there will be plenty of scopes to share too). Remember your lunch and dress for the weather. Include an extra layer for possible breeze at the shore. Thanks to The Nature Conservancy for permitting our visit to this otherwise closed area. Leaders: Jan and Keith Wiggers (360-757-0772).
Saturday, August 22
Montane Birds near the North Cascades Highway
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (from starting point at Blue Lake Trailhead along S.R.20)On this day-long trip we’ll search for birds around Rainy and Washington Passes, on the 4-mile roundtrip hike to Blue Lake (1,000 foot elevation gain) (http://www.seattlepi.com/getaways/32672_hike26.shtml), and possibly at some sites a bit down the east side. We’ll look for higher elevation and East Side species such as Mountain Chickadee, Gray Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Chipping Sparrow, and more. We may spot Mountain Goats too! Meet in the parking lot of the National Park Service/U.S. Forest Service office in Sedro-Woolley (810 State Route 20 just before Highway 9 North) at 6:30 a.m. to arrange carpools. If you’d rather camp the night before at one of the campgrounds along the highway, meet us at the Blue Lake Trailhead near milepost 161, one mile west of Washington Pass, at 8:30 a.m. (Northwest Forest Pass required for parking). Bring binoculars, snacks, lunch, water. Wear hiking boots, dress for a range of weather and temperature. Leader: Tim Manns (360-336-8753).
Saturday, August 29
Shorebirds and More at Crockett Lake & Vicinity
8:00 a.m. to Mid-afternoonMeet at 8:00 a.m. at the Park and Ride near March Point Road. This is an excellent time for shorebirds, and we’ll visit Crockett Lake, Penn Cove, and other sites on north Whidbey Island. Bring binoculars, scopes, lunch, snacks, rain gear, and rubber boots for walking along the wetland edges. Leader: Bob Kuntz (360-424-9099).
Samish 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.
