• Timing: 8am-10am. Year round except for mid-summer.
• Location: Meet at Center for Urban Horticulture, UW.
• Age/Audience: 8-years-old and up

• Timing: 8am to 12 noon
• Location: Meet at Twin Falls State Park, North Bend Washington
• Age/Audience: to come

Hazel Wolf Wetlands Park

Hike this magnificent urban wetland area in Sammamish and discover an impressive array of flora and fauna along the way. We will take the walks, one mile or so in each place, and search for birds, beaver, muskrat and other critters, while discussing the ethno botany of some of the native plant species found at each wetland.

Ravenna Park - A Colorful Natural and Human History Walk

Take an easy one-mile walk through this scenic park where Seattle’s largest trees, an arboretum and trolley once existed. Today it remains a beautiful, restored ravine with native flora and fauna with remnants of its fascinating glacial and human past.

• Timing: 9am-11am, spring, summer and fall.
• Location: Meet at Ravenna Bryant Community Center
• Age/Audience: to come

Best of Southern BC Birding

Some of the region’s most outstanding birding spots and natural areas lie just across the border in the Frazier River Delta. We will hike two of them on separate days, staying at pleasant B & B in the coastal town of White Rock between refuge visits. Plan on seeing loons, geese, swans, grebes, raptors, and shorebirds at these fabulous refuges. Come prepared with layers of clothes, binoculars, passport and good warm, dry boots.

• Timing:To be determined
• Location: Meet at Ravenna Park and Ride, then van to White Rock BC.
• Age/Audience: Adults only

West Seattle Birding and Park Loop

Explore West Seattle's fascinating array of parks while learning to identify winter birds. We will likely see up to 30 species of birds,including possibly Harlequin Ducks, Surfbirds, Black-headed Turnstones and Eared Grebes while exploring diverse and scenic parks that feature ecological restorations, marine and forest ecosystems. Come prepared with rain gear, fleece, layers of clothes, warm boots and binoculars. Car-based tour!

• Timing: 8:30am-12 noon
• Location: Meet at Jack Black Park in West Seattle
• Age/Audience: 8-years old and up

Nisqually Delta

Arguably the finest wildlife refuge in Puget Sound for birding, a walk through the Nisqually often results in counts of over 50 species. Recent restoration efforts have made a good refuge great, with acres of new salt marsh habitat accessible by trails and board walks. Join us for a 3-mile easy walk on this half-day outing. Geese, raptors, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, hummingbirds, warblers, swallows, sparrows – you name it, you can often find it at Nisqually!

• Timing:Late winter to early summer.
• Location: Meet at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge or carpool from Seattle
• Age/Audience: 8-years-old and up

Northlake Loop

This half-day loop of the north end of Lake Washington features an array of urban waterfront parks that are especially rich in birds and wildlife. You will be amazed by the diversity and abundance of water, wetland and woodland birds on this route, not to mention turtles, beaver, muskrat and other wildlife.

• Timing:Late winter to early summer.
• Location: Meet at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge or carpool from Seattle
• Age/Audience: 8-years-old and up

Reiffel Hunting in Southern British Columbia

Not shooting (except with cameras), but outstanding birding can be had at this refuge just across the border in Ladner, British Columbia. Situated on the Fraser River delta, this former Ducks Unlimited site is a virtual airport for waterfowl and raptors. A trail system winds through a series of ponds and dikes, including several well- placed viewing towers and blinds that overlook acres of wetlands, Georgia Straits and the Fraser River -- all teeming with birds and wildlife. During the early spring and winter, this refuge is among the best in the Northwest for close-up looks at many bird species.

• Timing: Winter, spring
• Location: Meet at the Ravenna Park and Ride in Seattle
• Age/Audience: 8-years-old and up

Skagit Magic

Experience one of the greatest winter wildlife spectacles in the Pacific Northwest: the wintering Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Snow Geese and various other raptors and waterfowl that congregate in the Skagit Valley. This full-day outing includes several easy short walks totaling two miles, and often boasts (weather permitting) spectacular views of the North Cascades.

• Timing: Winter, early spring
• Location: Meet at the Ravenna Park and Ride in Seattle
• Age/Audience: 10-years-old and up

South Lake Washington Loop

Visit four great birding spots along the southern portion of Lake Washington between Renton and Southeast Seattle. Explore beach, wetlands, a river estuary and Seattle’s largest remnant old-growth forest. Expect about 2-3 miles of walking total through these diverse and “birdy” landscapes.

• Timing: Winter, early summer
• Location: Meet at the Museum of History and Industry, Seattle
• Age/Audience: 8-years-old and up

Foulweather Bluff and Point-No-Point

Despite their names, these places are stunning waterfront natural areas, loaded with birds that also showcase two undeveloped beaches on Puget Sound. And they are located in very close proximity of one-another, minimizing the driving and maximizing walking. We will hike three miles total, tallying a wide variety of salt and freshwater birds along with plants and trees associated with a low-elevation mature forest.

• Timing: Winter, spring
• Location: Meet at the Ravenna Park and Rid or the Edmonds Ferry
• Age/Audience: 10-years-old and up

Yakima Canyon

Travel to the sunny side of the state to experience one of Washington’s lesser-known scenic wonders, Yakima Canyon. This steep, basalt canyon and river corridor hosts a diverse and different set of birds and wildlife from those found in Western Washington. We will hike up one of its side canyons that resembles the American Southwest in its desert vegetation and landforms, and then stop at several sites along the canyon to search for Prairie Falcon, Golden Eagle, California Big-Horned Sheep, Elk and a variety of arid plants. Enroute to the canyon, we will stop for a brief old-growth forest walk. On the way back, if time permits, we may stop to search for Peregrine Falcons. The whole experience takes one day, and includes three miles of easy walking.

• Timing: Spring, early summer, fall
• Location: Meet at the Mercer Island Park and Ride lot
• Age/Audience: 10-years-old and up

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