New!  May-June 2008 issue of the Echo (228 kb PDF)

  The Great Washington State Birding Trail maps.  Four maps are now available from Audubon Washington.

Upcoming Field Trips and Events in 2008 (more details and trips in the current issue of the Echo):

2008

• May 7th, Wednesday, 8:15 am to mid-afternoon.
  Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
  Leader: Phil Kelley
   
  Join Phil on his weekly walk at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge as he does the first Birdathon trip of the month. This week will include the whole loop, and you can expect to see 60+ species. The spring migrants should all have arrived, and resident birds including nesting waterfowl will be in evidence as well. The walking is easy and level but the loop is 5 ½ miles. Folks are welcome to begin the trip, and turn back at any point. Meet at the visitor center at 8:15 am. Sign-ups are not necessary.

• MAY 10, SATURDAY, 8:00 - early evening.
  Ridgefield NWR.  Leader: David Hayden
  
  Join Dave as he looks for continuing migrating birds, passerines, and ducks. Dave expects to see lots of Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and White-breasted Nuthatches. Possibilities are Black-necked Stilts and Black Terns. There will be some walking involved. Bring a lunch and dress for the weather. Meet at the Dept. of Labor and Industries parking lot at 8:00am. Call the BHAS at 360-352-7299 to reserve your spot. Also, this is International Migratory Bird Day and the Vancouver Audubon will have a booth set up at the refuge.

• May 15, Thursday, 7 pm:  General Membership meeting.
  Main presentation:

  Hooves and Horns by Michelle Tirhi, District Biologist for Pierce and Thurston Counties for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

  General membership meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month, starting at 7pm, with the main presentation beginning promptly at 7:30pm.

  Location:  Capitol Museum
                    (Note:  Not at the Coach House)
                 211 W. 21st Street
                 Olympia

• May 17, Saturday, Leave 6:00 am (from Centralia Park & Ride), expect to return after dark.  Toppenish NWR and Fort Simcoe State Park
  Leaders: Lonnie Somer & Dave Hayden
  
  Experience some of the east side birds, including the country’s western most population of Bobolink. Other species that we might see include Gray Catbird, Eastern Kingbird, Black-billed Magpie, Vesper Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Lazuli Bunting, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Golden Eagle, and numerous other species.
  This trip is limited to 12 people/3cars. Expect a very long day and a return home after dark. Bring lunch, snacks, liquid, and sunscreen. Call BHAS at 360-352-7299 to register.

• May 18th, Sunday, 8:30 am to late afternoon. 
  Exploring Capital Forest—Spring
  Leaders: Jim Pruske and Lonnie Somer
  Spend the day exploring Capital Forest from sea level to 2,700 ft. We will be searching for bird species that nest in the forest. Warblers, including Hermit Warblers, Gray Jays, Western Tanagers, woodpeckers and other woodland birds are expected to be common. A special attempt will be made to find Northern Pygmy Owl and the elusive Mountain Quail. Unique elements of Capitol Forest flora will also be examined.
   
  If anyone has specific knowledge or tips about Capitol Forest, please feel free to contact Jim (459-3656) or Lonnie at wheelermombie@comcast.net .
   
  Meet at Mud Bay Park and Ride at 8:30 am. This trip is limited to 3 cars. Call BHAS at 360-352-7299 to register.

• May 21st, Wednesday, 8:00 am to noon. Priest Point Park.  Leader: Woody Franzen
  
  Priest Point Park is one of the Thurston County sites chosen for the southwest WA loop of the Great Washington Birding Trail. Join Woody for a mid-week walk through this beautiful park, while looking for forest birds. There is a limit of 12 participants. Meet at the Rose Garden on the east side of the park at 8:00 am. Call BHAS at 360-352-7299 to register.

• May 31st, Saturday, 7:00am to 10:00am.  Watershed Park Bird Songs.  Leader: Jean MacGregor
  
  This walk in one of Olympia’s most beautiful parks will focus on bird song and learning the common bird songs of Watershed Park. It is also an opportunity to check out the wildflowers in bloom at the end of May. The trail at Watershed is not long (about a mile and a half), but is steep and can be slippery. Meet at the park entrance along Henderson Boulevard at 7:00 am. Call the BHAS phone at 360-352-7299 to register.

• June 1, Sunday, 6:45 am to early afternoon.
  Lewis County.  Leader: Gary Wiles
  
  This trip will visit Teitzel and Little Hanaford Roads in Lewis County. These follow along the South Hanaford Creek valley, which is a beautiful rural farming valley bounded by conifer hillsides. We expect to see an assortment of forest and open country birds, including Purple Martins at perhaps the only location for this species in Lewis County. Meet at the Labor and Industry parking lot in Tumwater at 6:45 a.m. Bring food, drinks, and a scope if you have one. Expect to be done at about 1:00 p.m.
  Because of poor parking along the roads, the trip will be limited to 2 cars and 9-10 people. Contact the BHAS phone at 360-352-7299 to sign up.

• June 21 & 22,  Saturday and Sunday, Leave at 6:30 am from the Centralia Park & Ride.  A two day field trip:  Columbia Gorge and Klickitat Region
  Leaders: Lonnie Somer & Gary Wiles.
  
  Come explore Klickitat birding gems such as Catherine Creek Preserve, Balch Rd., Rowland Lake, Columbia Hills Natural Preservation Area, Conboy Lake NWR, Horse Thief SP, and Klickitat Wildlife Area. Hoped for birds include; Ash-throated Flycatcher, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Canyon and Rock Wren, Say’s Phoebe, Vaux’s Swift, Calliope Hummingbird, Lazuli Bunting, Chipping Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch, Sandhill Crane, White-headed Woodpecker, several species of raptor, and numerous other species.
  Because this is an overnight trip, it will be more costly than usual. We will try to find affordable accommodations for the night, and we will eat breakfast and supper at local restaurants. Bring lunch for 2 days, snacks, liquids, and a change of clothes.
  This trip is limited to 12 people (3 cars), and each passenger will be expected to reimburse the driver for gas mileage. We will return on the evening of June 22.
  To register, contact the BHAS office at 360-352-7299.

• August 2nd, Saturday, 6:00am to late afternoon. 
  Mt Rainier National Park.
  Leader: Kristin Stewart
  
  Join us for our annual trek to the mountain to enjoy the wildflowers, and look for a few higher altitude bird species. There are not many species there, but we have been successful in locating White-tailed Ptarmigan in recent years, as well as a few Gray-crowned Rosy Finches. We also enjoy the Hoary Marmots, and now and then we see a Pika. This trip involves hiking from about 5400 ft to approximately 7200 ft, so be sure to bring enough food and water, wear sunscreen, and good boots. Parking is very limited at Paradise due to construction, so there will be a 3 car limit. Call BHAS at 360-352-7299 to register.

• September 13th, 7:30 am to evening.
  Tokeland, Bottle Beach, Midway Beach
  Leader: Phil Kelley
  
  Phil will go to Bottle Beach, (which has recently undergone a major transformation by Washington State Parks), Midway Beach, Tokeland and other spots along the way. This trip is looking for the usual migrating shorebirds, other birds normally seen along this route, and any rarities that might be found along the way. High tide is about 1:00 pm. Meet at Mud Bay Park and Ride, prepared to leave at 7:30 am. We will not return until early evening. There is a 4 car limit. Please call Phil at 360-459-1499 to reserve your spot.

• September 27th, Saturday, 7:30 am to evening. 
  Tokeland, Bottle Beach, Midway Beach and environs.
  
  Leader: Scott Morrison
  This is a follow-up to Phil Kelley’s September 13th Tokeland trip. We’ll see what kinds of changes in the migration pattern have occurred. High tide is at 12:40 pm, se we’ll leave the Mud Bay Park and Ride at 8:30 am, and then stop at a couple of spots along the way. Call Scott Morrison at 360-412-1260 to reserve a place on the trip. Limited to 3 vehicles and 12-15 people. Let him know if you are willing to drive.

• September 28th, Sunday, 9:00 am to late afternoon. Exploring Capitol Forest—Fall
  Leaders: Jim Pruske and Lonnie Somer
   
  Spend the day exploring Capitol Forest. We will be searching for birds that utilize forest habitat after the breeding season. Gray Jays, Hermit Thrushes, Varied Thrushes, Fox Sparrows, and woodpeckers are expected. As in the spring, we will attempt to find Northern Pygmy Owls and Mountain Quail. Unique elements of Capitol Forest flora will be examined, and there will be an emphasis on mushrooms.
  If anyone has special knowledge or tips about Capitol Forest, please feel free to contact Jim (459-3656) or Lonnie at wheelermombi@comcast.net .
  Meet at Mud Bay Park and Ride at 9:00 am. This trip is limited to 3 cars. Call BHAS at 360-352-7299 for reservations.

• October 5th, Sunday, 9:00 am to late afternoon. 
  Skokomish Birds and Mushrooms
  Leader: Jim Pruske
   
  Spend the day exploring the Skokomish River Valley, and the Brown Creek entrance into Olympic National Forest. A special attempt will be made to find American Dippers. Many other bird species that spend the fall near river and forest will be found. We will search for mushrooms near Brown Creek Campground. About 25 fungi species can be found, including Gold and White Chantrelles. Bring a full lunch, old hiking boots for the forest, and of course, rain gear.
  Meet at Mud Bay Park and Ride at 9:00 am. A stop will be made at the George Adams Salmon Hatchery parking lot at 9:45 to meet anyone who lives near Shelton. The trip is limited to 5 cars. Call BHAS at 360-352-7299 to register. If you have questions, you can Jim at 459-3656.

• December 6, Saturday, Leave at 7:00 am from Mud Bay Park & Ride.  Point Wilson, Fort Flagler, and Port Townsend environs.
  Leader: Lonnie Somer
  
  The primary targets for this field trip are winter water fowl in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the northern Puget Sound. Hoped for species include Marbled and Ancient Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, Rhinoceros Auklet, Common Murre, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Brants, 3 species of loon, and several other species as well.
  Dress for cold, wind, and the ever-present possibility of rain. Bring lunch, snack, and liquids. We will return by early evening.
  Trip limited to 12 people (3 cars). Call the BHAS office at 360-352-7299 for registration.