Sunny Walter's

Washington Nature Weekends

Audubon Birding Trip Locations
New 10/1!

This page is for casual birders to get some idea of WHERE and WHEN to go see birds.
 
Listings on this page are extracted from trips sponsored by various chapters of the Audubon Society.
If you want more detailed information on the trips, contact the referenced Audubon chapter
(go to Audubon Chapters for contact information)

Sunny's Selections from Audubon Trips
August

8/23/03 --  Iona Island, BC -- 1 day  (Seattle AS)
  • Hope to see a Buff-breasted, Sharp-tailed, or Curlew Sandpiper, a Ruff, and perhaps even a Red-necked or Little Stint. 
  • Baird's, Solitary, Semipalmated, and Stilt Sandpipers are likely, along with Wandering Tattler, Hudsonian Godwit, and Red Knot.

 8/29/04 -- Grays Harbor Loop -- 1 day -- 67 Species    (East Lake Washington AS)
 

  • Raymond Waterfront Park -- four warbler species - YELLOW, BLACK-THROATED GRAY, WILSON'S and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and a WILLOW FLYCATCHER. 
  • On the way to Tokeland we saw a GREAT EGRET in a stream on the south side of Hwy 104 a little west of the airport turn off. 
  • At the Tokeland marina, there were 400+ MARBLED GODWITS packed together on the closest dock to the street. A number of us scoped the flock but could not find a Bar-tailed Godwit. There also were a few WILLET and CASPIAN TERNS, some GREATER AND LESSER YELLOWLEGS and many HEERMANN'S GULLS. 
  • We stopped at North Cove to look at the large flock of gulls for the BLACK-TAILED GULL. It was difficult to keep track of among the hundreds of California and Heermann's Gulls. 
  • At Westport we saw a number of BROWN PELICANS, a couple of SURF SCOTERS and PIGEON GUILLEMOTS and three species of Cormorants - PELAGIC, BRANDT'S and DOUBLE-CRESTED. 
  • We got to Bottle Beach a couple of hours after high tide and walked out on the mud flats to get a closer look at the hundreds of birds. They were mostly BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and WESTERN SANDPIPERS with a few SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, LEAST SANDPIPERS, BLACK TURNSTONES, SHORT and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. The flocks scattered one time and a PEREGRINE FALCON flew by quite a few seconds later. 
  • Our last stop was the John's River access where we walked the paved trail out to the blind. We saw a number yellowlegs, KILLDEER, BELTED KINGFISHER, GREAT BLUE HERONS and RED-TAILED HAWKS. At the ponds seen from the blind there were a number of duck species plus one RED-NECKED PHALAROPE to finish out a good day in very pleasant weather. 
  • For the day we had a total of 3 OSPREY before getting to the Grays Harbor area, 2 BALD EAGLE, 6 RED-TAILED HAWKS and possibly another Peregrine Falcon.



Sunny's Selections from Audubon Trips
September

9/6/03 -- Rimrock and Clear Lakes (and possibly Timberwolf Mountain) - 1 day  (Yakima AS)
  • We are hoping that the group makes it all the way to Timberwolf Mountain for an incredible hawk migration. Two years ago a Broad-winged Hawk was seen soaring over Timberwolf. If the birding is incredible at the lower elevations, that just might be good enough!
9/6, 13, 20, 27 -- Mann Lake -- half day  (Palouse AS)
  • These trips will focus on the fall migration of waterfowl and shorebirds as they pass through our region.
9/12-14/03 -- Grays Harbor / Westport Pelagic Trip -- Weekend  (Yakima AS)
  • We will motel in Westport, or perhaps Aberdeen, Friday evening and meet Saturday morning for a day of shorebirding along the shores of Grays Harbor. Spend Saturday night in Westport for an early rising Sunday morning to catch the Monte Carlo with Owner/Captain Phil Anderson at the Westport marina. The trip goes about 35 miles offshore to look for albatrosses, shearwaters, skuas, jaegers, a variety of alcids and gulls, plus mammals such as whales and dolphins. 
 9/20/03 -- Lowden -- 1 day  (Blue Hills AS)
  • Join leaders as they drive south of Lowden to see the Swainson’s hawks gather in the alfalfa fields for their winter migration to South America.  These beautiful raptors will join immense flocks of others as they make the incredible journey to Argentina where they winter on the pampas.  This is also a good time to search for fall migrating sparrows as they pass through the area.
9/20/03 -- Whidbey Island -- 1 day  (Skagit AS)
  • Dugualla Bay and other North Whidbey Island birding sites.
9/21/03 -- Ocean Shores -- 1 day  (Seattle AS)
  • Ocean Shores in middle to late September usually turns up shorebird rarities, migrating passerines, and water birds.  We'll visit all relevant points from Bill's Spit to the Point Brown Jetty.  If time permits, we'll stop at the Brady Loop Road on the way back.
9/23/03 -- Point No Point to Sequim -- 1 day  (Seattle AS)
  • Returning loons, grebes, alcids, waterfowl,  gulls, terns, and shorebirds make this an exciting time on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.  We will stop at Point No Point, Salsbury Point, Diamond Point, John Wayne Marina, and Sequim locations.
9/27/03 -- Point No Point, Buck Lake and the Kingston Waterfront -- 1 day  (Kitsap AS)
  • We will bird the beach area as well as the marsh at Point No Point, moving on to the Buck Lake trail system, and ending on the Kingston waterfront for those who wish extend this trip into the afternoon.
9/27/03 -- Spencer Island -- 1 day  (East Lake Washington AS)
  • Explore this wetland located near the Everett Sewage Treatment ponds.  Ducks, shorebirds, hawks, eagles, gulls as well as smaller birds in brushy and grassy areas are all possible.
9/28/03 -- Nisqually NWR -- 1 day  (Tahoma AS)
(see 10/9 below) 


Sunny's Selections from Audubon Trips
October

10/4, 11, 18, 25, 2003 -- Mann Lake -- half day  (Palouse AS)
  • These trips will focus on the fall migration of waterfowl and shorebirds as they pass through our region.
10/4/03 -- Iona Island and Boundary Bay, B.C. -- 1 day  (Seattle AS)
  • Iona Island can be one of the best spots for migrating shorebirds.  Possibilities include Western, Least, Baird's, and Semipalmated sandpipers, and a variety of plovers.  If we are lucky, we may see Buff-breasted or Sharp-tailed sandpipers.
10/7/03 -- Hoquiam/Ocean Shores --  1 day  (Rainier and Tahoma AS)
  • Early October should be a wonderful time to look for migrants and shorebirds at Hoquiam and Ocean Shores. We'll visit beaches, ponds, canals, and even a golf course as we search for fall specialties and rarities. We will walk up to 1 mile on beaches and trails.
10/9 or 10/10/03 -- Nisqually NWR -- 1 day  (East Lake Washington and Seattle AS)
  • The Nisqually NWR offers a divers combination of habitats and birds.  The delta is bounded by rivers with marshes, deciduous woods, and wide open areas easily accessed by a 5.5 mile loop.  Expect to see returning waterfowl and passerines, perhaps some woodpeckers and raptors.

10/11/03 -- Kamiak Butte / Rose Creek -- 1 day  (Palouse AS)

  • Enjoy excellent fall scenery and a nice walk through these 2 Whitman County natural areas. Expect to see a variety of raptors and resident songbirds - including a variety of woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and sparrows.  Excellent views of the Palouse and fall foliage are likely.  Expect some moderate walking.

10/11/03 -- Tokeland -- 1 day  (Rainier AS)
  • Leader will be making the route to Tokeland, stopping at Brady Loop Road, Bottle Beach, Midway Beach, and other profitable stops.  Highlights may well include Snowy Plover at Midway, and Bar-tailed Godwits at Tokeland.
10/12/03 -- Spencer Island -- 1 day  (Seattle AS)
  • Spencer Island is an excellent birding spot in early fall with a variety of habitats.  We will see returning waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds.  There are usually woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy, and Pileated?) and raptors (maybe a falcon or two).
10/16/03 -- Willapa Bay Hot Spots -- 1 day  (Seattle AS)
  • Leader will take us to such Willapa Bay hot spots as Tokeland, Bay Center, and the Willapa Bay NWR.  Expect many shorebirds nad seabirds during southbound migration, including surfbirds, godwits. whimbrels, curlews, pelicans, and ducks.

10/18/03 -- Rock  Lake / Sprague Lake -- 1 day  (Palouse AS)
  • This trip will concentrate on teh scabland area of northwest Whitman County.  We will visit Winona, Texas Lake, Revere, Sheep Lake, Crooked Knee Lake, Sprague lake, and Rock lake - to name a few,
10/18/03 -- Skokomish River Delta -- 1 day  (Tahoma AS)
  • If you haven't yet birded at the "Big Bend" of the Hood Canal, you're in for a treat.  At the place where the Skokomish River empties into the Canal, there are a host of different habitats.  We'll explore dense forest, riparian, open grassland, large marshes, brush, estuary and open water.
    Some of our wintering species of passerines and water birds should be settling in, and we may find a few migrants passing through.

10/18/03 -- Bainbridge Island Boat Trip -- half day  (Kitsap AS)
  • This trip will circumnavigate BI, and will last 4+ hours.  We should see fall and winter sea ducks, loons, grebes, and more.
10/18/03 -- Whidbey Island -- 1 day  (East Lake Washington AS)
  • Take the ferry to Whidbey Island to check out several good places for waterfowl and shorebirds.  Stops will include Crockett Lake, Penn Cove, and Dugualla Bay.
10/25/03 -- Sequim Birding Hot Spots -- 1 day  (Kitsap AS)
  • Our leaders will take us on a tour some favorite birding destinations, among them John Wayne Marina, Cline Spit, the Three Crabs area, and more.
10/25/03 -- Purdy and Key Peninsula -- 1 day  (East Lake Washington AS)
  • Expect lots of ducks, cormorants, loons, and other sea birds plus Great Blue Herons in the South Sound Bays.  If time permits, we will also visit the Snake Lake Nature Center
10/25/03 -- Bainbridge Island Boat Trip -- half day  (Olympic Peninsula AS)
(see 10/18/03 above)


Sunny's Selections from Audubon Trips
November

11/1/03 -- Banks Lake/Dry Falls Area -- 1 day (Spokane AS)
  • Late fall migrant trip to Soap Lake/Banks Lake/Dry Falls area. Target birds for this trip are the following: Pacific loon, Long-tailed duck, Surf and White-winged Scoters and Rough-legged hawks. Depending upon the weather we could also find such winter visitors as Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, Northern Shrike and Redpolls.
11/8/03 -- Protection Island NWR Cruise -- 1 day (Olympic Peninsula & Whidbey AS)
  • Fall Migration
11/8/03 -- Whidbey Island -- 1 day (Kitsap AS)
(see 10/18/above)

11/8-9/03 -- Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Ladner, B.C. -- 2 day (East Lake Washington AS)
  • Wintering birds here include dabbling ducks, gulls, rough-legged hawks, peregrines, marlins, and snowy owls.  Arctic birds such as snow buntings and Lapland longspurs may appear as well.  
    (Sunny: lots of snow geese)
11/8/03 -- Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Ladner, B.C. -- 1 day (N Cascades AS)

11/14/03 -- Spencer Island and Nearby Everett Treatment Ponds --  1 day (Seattle AS)
  • Leisurely walk should provide great looks at passerines, shorebirds, gulls, many wintering ducks, and raptors.
11/16/03 -- Nooksack River Deltas: Past and Present -- 1 day (N Cascades AS)
  • Birdwatching tour of the past and present deltas of the Nook-sack River, including inner Bellingham Bay and Lummi Bay.  Waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds, and birds of prey will be the focus on this trip, emphasizing the geographical history of our county’s principal river.
11/20/03 -- Ridgefield NWR - 1 day (Seattle AS)
  • Visit one of Washington's premier birding hotspots to see long-legged waders such as GtreatEgrets and Sandhill Cranes, as well as wintering waterfowl, raptors, and passerines.  
11/23/03 -- Samish Flats -- 1 day (N Cascades AS)
  • 4-6 hour tour to one of the premier wintertime hawk and eagle watching sites in the northwest.  This trip will focus on identification, field marks, and behavior of our wintering raptor population. Eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls will be the focus but the Samish Flats almost always yields a surprise or two.


Sunny's Selections from Audubon Trips
December

12/6/03 -- Birch Bay, Drayton Harbor, and Semiahmoo Spit -- 1 day (N Cascades AS)
  • Full-day tour (half-day option) exploring the wintering habitat of thousands of shorebirds, waterfowl, and seabirds.  Also, short forays into the adjacent uplands for eagles, hawks, and wintering songbirds.
12/7/03 -- North Creek Co. Park and Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve -- half day (Seattle AS)
  • Expect ducks, herons, swans, woodpeckers, Birginia rails, raptors, snipe, sparrows, eagels, adn perhaps a Northern shrike. Expect to walk a mile or so.
12/11/03 -- Nisqually NWR -- 1 day (Seattle AS)  
  • Walk the trail to McAllister Creek, Twin Barns, and along the Nisqually River, looking for wintering waterfowl and passerines.  On Luhr Beach, we'll scan for seabirds, including loons, grebes, alcids, and sea ducks.  Several miles of level walking.
12/13/03 -- Samish adn Skagit Flats -- 1 day (Seattle AS)  
  • A great time for raptors and waterfowl.  Look for eagles, hawks, perhaps five falcons, owls, and Trumpeter and Tundra swans.  Bring a WDFW access stewardship decal.
12/13/03 -- Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands --  1 day (N Cascades AS)  
  • Full-day tour (half-day option) to explore the diverse habitats and stunning beauty of two bird-rich islands.  Shorebirds, sea-birds, waterfowl, eagles, and hawks are abundant in a wide variety of habitats.
12/13/03 -- Coeur d'Alene Lake Eagle Watch  -- 1 day (Spokane AS)
  • Trip to Coeur d'Alene Lake to see Bald Eagles feeding on spawned out salmon. Eagles abound perched in trees and flying over the lake. There are also several duck and grebe species to be found. Weather permitting, we will hike Mineral Ridge trail and eat lunch on top. Here we expect the usual tree species of passerine. If the hike isn't possible, a drive to Thompson Lake, Harrison and St. Maries is another option.


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URL: http://www.sunnywalter.com/WhereView-WNW-Birds-AudubonTrips.html
Links checked and updated on: September 6, 2004
Text and photos are copyright © Sunny Walter  (unless otherwise noted)
For more information, contact sunny@sunnywalter.com