***Pre-registration through the library required***

Join Jeff Hambleton of the Pilchuck Audubon Society for an introduction to birding.

This walk will focus on building essential skills for beginners. We will spend about 2 hours walking through Big Gulch Park and trail system behind the Mukilteo Library.

Birding will be slow paced, leaving time for discussion of birding and binocular basics, choice of field guides, and birding apps. Bring binoculars if you have them (we won't have any loaners available). No "pishing" or playback of bird vocalizations will be used to attract birds.

Please be prepared with weather-appropriate clothing and footwear, as we will proceed rain or shine. Terrain may be wet, muddy, steep or uneven.

Big Gulch Trail system map (PDF)

Meet at 7:30 AM at Walmart at 1400 164th St. SW in Lynnwood. Park away from the store. Edmonds riders can drive directly to Union Bay Natural Area (Montlake Fill), 3501 NE 41st St. in Seattle. The itinerary likely will include Montlake Fill, the Arboretum, Magnuson Park, and whatever else we have time for. Spring migration will be under way. Pack a lunch.

Trip Leader: Phil Dickinson, 336-692-3760

This is a half-day trip.  We’ll visit two sites in Bothell, the Canyon Park wetlands and Centennial Park. This will be an easy walk. Further details will be provided to registered participants. After you have submitted your 2024 Field Trip Liability Release online, please contact the trip leader, in order to register for the trip.

Trip Leader: Douglas Resnick, dresnick1@comcast.net or 425-776-4811 (landline)

Meet at 7:30 AM at the Quil Ceda Village Walmart lot west of Marysville (I-5 exit 200). Park away from the store, to the east, near Quil Ceda Blvd. (next to I-5). Interesting spring migrants often show up at birding hotspots along the road to Darrington and on the Sauk Prairie, including Mountain Bluebird, Say’s Phoebe, Vesper Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow. Pack a lunch.

Trip Leader: Phil Dickinson, 336-692-3760

May brings grosbeaks, warblers, flycatchers and others to this largely undeveloped 25 acres of riparian forest. As we walk the 1.5 miles of trails there will be lots of breeding behavior to observe. Breeding season is well under way for local birds. Bushtit, woodpecker, hummingbird, and robin nests are often found.

Wallace Swamp Creek Park (19851 73rd Ave NE, Kenmore, WA)

We will meet near the parking lot kiosk.

If you have not submitted a 2024 Field Trip Liability Release, please do so before attending.

Trip Leader: Linda Phillips, 206-291-3663

Meet at 7:00 AM at the Monroe Park & Ride next to the Evergreen Fairgrounds on Hwy. 2. The Audubon wetland in the Snoqualmie River Valley offers an array of spring migrants. Other stops include Tolt-McDonald Park, Sikes Lake and the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. Pack a lunch.

Trip leader: Jeff Hambleton, 425-923-0227

Meet at 6:00 AM at the Monroe Park & Ride next to the Evergreen Fairgrounds on Hwy. 2. Popular destinations on this trip are Sleeping Lady Resort, the National Fish Hatchery and Camas Meadows. Target birds include White-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Chat and Calliope Hummingbird. Pack a lunch.

Trip leader: Jeff Hambleton, 425-923-0227

Meet at 7:30 AM at the Snohomish Park and Ride on Avenue D Just off Hwy 9 and Bickford Ave. We will explore the Blackman’s Lake area, Riverview Wildlife Refuge, Snohomish Flats and Ebey Slough. There should still be some ducks and other waterfowl, and increasing numbers of migrant passerines. Pack a lunch.

Trip leaders: Doug Cooper (509-990-7499) and Hans Dunshee