Field Trips

NOTE: The complete schedule of field trips is shown below on this web page. However, you can also download a .pdf of the complete schedule if you prefer that format.

• Download Complete schedule of field trips (.pdf)
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• Download Field Trip Grid in .pdf format

Ahtanum

The Ahtanum State Forest west of Yakima provides an excellent array of forest types from open and dry ponderosa pine forest up to wet subalpine forests and meadows. This trip explores areas up the North and Middle Forks of Ahtanum Creek. Depending on snow conditions, we may reach Clover Flats Campground. This high elevation subalpine area with Engelmann spruce has its representative bird species.

• Target birds:Williamson’s and Red-breasted Sapsuckers, American Three-toed, White- headed, and Pileated Woodpeckers, Canada Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Pacific Wren, Fox Sparrow (Slate-colored) and Lincoln’s Sparrows.
• What to expect: Stopping along roads and birding. Some time spent walking with some slight elevation gains and possible off-trail walking. Walking will probably not exceed 2 miles total. Trekking poles may be helpful. Roads are mostly gravel. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food for a full day. Scopes may be useful but are not required. Playback will not be used on Friday. Playback may be used for some targets on Saturday and Sunday. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended.
• Approximate round-trip distance: 90 miles
• Friday-Michael Hobbs-eBird enabled
• Saturday-Randy Hill & Julia Dolan-eBird enabled
• Sunday Randy Hill & Julia Dolan-eBird enabled

Birds and Wine

This laid-back social trip combines birding with wine tasting in the lower Yakima Valley. We explore local wineries and bird the grounds of these wineries. It’s perfect for those recovering from a night owling or just wanting a relaxed Saturday trip. The wineries and birding will be at the discretion of the leader. Many of the wineries are located along the Yakima River corridor, which hosts a diversity of breeding bird species.

• Target birds: American White Pelican, Osprey, Swainson’s Hawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Northern House Wren, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: Travel will be on paved or good gravel roads. Some walking around the wineries birding. Come prepared with food and drink. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. A scope may be helpful but not required. Playback will not be used.
• Approximate round trip distance: 45 miles
• Saturday– Jon Anderson-eBird enabled

Burrowing Owl Conservation Tour (Franklin, Benton, Grant, Kittitas & Yakima Counties)

This unique field trip is geared towards students and young birders, however it is open to all members if space allows. This special trip will include hands-on monitoring of Burrowing Owls at a habitat restoration project near Pasco, WA. Participants will be led by State Wildlife Biologist Jason Fidorra to restricted access sites where they will assist in monitoring Burrowing Owl nest sites for productivity. The tour will cover the ecology and conservation related to the species as we visit multiple nesting pairs. Nests in artificial burrow structures allow a unique opportunity to see inside a burrow where we might quietly observe eggs, owlets, or adult burrowing owls. Depending on nest status, some owls may be captured and banded, then released for ongoing monitoring. The project and tour is conducted under appropriate state and federal permits. Participants will have the option to assist with site maintenance and banding if appropriate opportunities arise. This could include the use of shovels or garden tools which will be provided. Additional opportunities for birding may occur during transit to and from Yakima if time allows.

• Target birds: Burrowing Owl.
• What to expect: A full-day trip. Limited to 8 participants. Roads will be paved. We will not be traveling far from the vehicles but expect to be in the direct sun for a while and walk short distances off trail through weedy and spiky vegetation. You might also choose the option to get a little dirty. Bring food and drink for the full day. The group will convene and carpool with Lori Nelson from Yakima to rendezvous with WDFW Biologist Fidorra in Pasco. Participants will need to register as WDFW volunteers in advance of the field trip. If time allows, there may be birding stops on the way back to Yakima.
• Approximate trip distance: 165 miles
  Friday-Jason Fidorra & Lori Nelson

Chinook Pass (Yakima County)

Travelling up SR 410 toward the summit of Chinook Pass with stops along the American River and side trips into the Bumping Lake drainage and the north slope of Bethel Ridge. Habitats covered include riparian areas along the river, wet and dry coniferous forests, recent burns, ending in the subalpine, depending on snow levels.

• Target birds: Harlequin Duck, Black Swift, Williamson’s Sapsucker, American Three-toed, White-headed, and Pileated Woodpeckers, Clark’s Nutcracker, American Dipper, Varied Thrush, Fox Sparrow (Slate-colored) and Lincoln’s Sparrows.
• What to expect: A full-day trip. A Discover Pass will be required for each vehicle. A scope may be helpful on this trip. There may still be some snow at Chinook Pass, so dressing for varied weather is recommended. Playback may be used for some targets on Friday. Playback will not be used on Saturday and Sunday. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended.
• Approximate round trip distance: 150 Miles
• Friday– Steve Giles-eBird enabled
• Saturday– Cindy McCormack-eBird enabled
• Sunday-Cindy McCormack-eBird enabled

Horse Heaven Hills (Yakima, Klickitat & Benton Counties)

This trip ventures into the Horse Heaven Hills along the borders of Yakima, Klickitat and Benton Counties. Circuitously heading towards Bickleton, self-proclaimed bluebird capital of the world. Habitats include wheat fields, recent burns, oak woodlands, steep rocky canyons with riparian ockets and plateau lithosols. We will explore Ridge Road, Bickleton Hwy, East Road, Six Prong Road and Sand Ridge Road. Grassland, riparian, shrub-steppe and scattered junipers and oaks.

• Target birds: Gray Partridge, Long-billed Curlew, Swainson’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Mountain & Western Bluebirds, Sage Thrasher, Sagebrush Sparrow, Brewer’s Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark.
• What to expect: A full-day trip. We will be mostly driving from site to site, with a little walking at various sites. Roads vary from gravel to paved roads. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and sun hats are recommended. It will be the start of tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. A scope will be very helpful. Playback may be used forsome targets.
• Approximate round trip distance: 180 Miles
• Saturday-Samuel Holman-eBird enabled
• Sunday–Samuel Holman-eBird enabled

Naneum-Colockum Loop (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

The Naneum State Forest (WDNR) and Colockum Wildlife Area (WDFW) lie northeast of Ellensburg between the Kittitas and Wenatchee Valleys. The primary roads to be explored are Colockum, Naneum, and Coleman Creek. Starting in the Kittitas Valley amongst hay fields and shrub-steppe, we’ll climb through forested areas of Ponderosa pine, Western larch and Douglas fir, then up to Engelmann spruce, Lodgepole pine, and Subalpine fir. If snow levels allow, our destination will be Naneum Ridge. Pocketed among the forest are patches of aspens that support a diverse suite of nesting songbirds and woodpeckers. This region supports Dusky Grouse, though some hybrids with Sooty Grouse are reported.

• Target birds: Dusky Grouse, American Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Pygmy Nuthatch, Vesper Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow.
• What to expect: Driving from site to site, with some walking along dirt and gravel roads. Driving conditions can be questionable, including long areas of washboards and ruts. High clearance vehicles needed for drivers. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food. Playback will not be used on Friday. Playback may be used for some targets on Saturday and Sunday. Sunscreen and hat recommended. It will be the start of tick season, so insect repellent is recommended.
• Approximate round trip distance: 120 Miles
• Friday-Deb Essman-eBird enabled
• Saturday-Kim Thorburn-eBird enabled
• Sunday-Steve Giles-eBird enabled

Nile & Rattlesnake Creek (Yakima County)

This trip will feature the varied habitats of the Rattlesnake Creek drainage off the SR 410 corridor. Our route starts along Nile Rd. with foothill ponderosa pine and riparian habitats. Transitioning up Rattlesnake and Little Rattlesnake Creeks, we will traverse mixes of riparian and pines to the higher elevation montane forests along with burned areas good for woodpecker species. Travel to the higher elevations of McDaniel Lake and Meek’s Table in wetter mixed conifer habitat may be possible depending on snow levels.

• Target birds: Calliope Hummingbird, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hammond’s and Dusky Flycatchers, Cassin’s Vireo, Mountain Chickadee, Townsend’s Solitaire, Veery, Cassin’s Finch, Pine Siskin.
• What to expect: A full-day trip. Roads will be gravel in good condition. Stops along roads, including some limited walks through the forest. A Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful Pass is required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food. It will be tick season so insect repellent is recommended. Sunscreen and hat recommended. Playback may be used for some targets. Scope is helpful but not required.
  Approximate round trip distance: 100 Miles.
• Friday-Lin (Caspian) Stern-eBird enabled
• Saturday-Lin (Caspian) Stern-eBird enabled
• Sunday-John Harris-eBird enabled

Oak Creek Canyon (Yakima County)

The portion of US-12 from Naches to near Rimrock Lake holds a wonderful mixture of riparian habitats, oak forests, rocky canyons and conifer forests. We will visit Oak Creek Canyon, Bear Canyon, the Tieton Nature Trail and hotspots at several campgrounds and pullouts along US-12.

• Target birds: Harlequin Duck, White-throated Swift, Golden Eagle, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Western and Ash-throated Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Bushtit, Canyon Wren, Pacific Wren, Veery.
• What to expect: Hiking from easy to moderate at Bear Canyon and the Tieton Nature Trails. Total hiking should involve two miles on mostly flat, well-maintained trails. Roads are paved to good gravel. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food. A scope is helpful on this trip. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Playback may be used for some targets.
  Approximate round trip distance: 100 Miles.
• Friday-Shep Thorp-eBird enabled
  Saturday-Mike & MerryLynn Denny
  Sunday-Tim O’Brien-eBird enabled

Observatory Road-Umtanum Falls (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

The Umtanum area is known for its diverse array of breeding birds in a variety of habitats from rocky shrub-steppe areas to ponderosa pine forests. The area includes nice (but recently burned) riparian habitat along upper Umtanum Creek. This trip will begin by crossing the irrigated ag-land east of Ellensburg, then driving up into the shrub-steppe. We will hike 3/4-mile down Umtanum Creek to the impressive Umtanum Falls. Trekking poles may be useful for a possibly tricky creek crossing. We’ll continue driving along Umptanum Road through partly burned ponderosa pine groves with a short side trip up Observatory Rd. We’ll then take North Wenas Rd. to “Birders Corner” and continue down to Selah for our return to Yakima.

• Target birds: Calliope Hummingbird, Swainson’s Hawk, Lewis’s, Black-backed, and White-headed Woodpeckers, Gray Flycatcher, Pygmy Nuthatch, Sage Thrasher, Western and Mountain Bluebird, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: Site to site driving with some walking up to 2 miles. Roads vary from good gravel to paved. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food for a full day. Sunscreen and hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Playback may be used for some targets.
• Approximate round trip distance: 70 Miles.
• Sunday-Jon Houghton-eBird enabled-Limit 7 (due to trail width)

Quilomene-Wild Horse Wind Farm Loop: Full-day trip (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

WDFW’s Quilomene Wildlife Area and Puget Sound Energy’s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility are adjacent areas with huge tracts of shrub-steppe-including big sage, stiff sage, bitterbrush, basalt cactus, and Hooker’s balsamroot. We will enter through the Wild Horse Renewable Energy Facility off the Old Vantage Highway and wind our way up Beacon Ridge Road onto the Quilomene Wildlife Area, exiting via Colockum Road to the Kittitas Valley. This region supports nesting shrub-steppe obligates and many raptors. As a bonus, there will be a magnificent display of shrub-steppe wildflowers. The road also winds through patches of ponderosa pine where several species of woodpecker can be found.

• Target birds: Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, White-headed Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike, Horned Lark, Sage Thrasher, and a suite of shrub-steppe sparrows: Brewer’s, Sagebrush, Vesper, and Lark.
• What To Expect: Driving site to site with some walking along dirt roads. High clearance vehicles are needed as some of the roads are rutty and rocky. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Bring lunch, snacks and drinks. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Also sun hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes. Playback will not be used.
  Approximate round trip distance: 120 miles.
  Friday-Jim Danzenbaker-eBird enabled
  Saturday-Laurie Ness-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Deb Essman-eBird enabled

Robinson Canyon (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

A few minutes west of Ellensburg lies Robinson Canyon. This narrow canyon—a small fraction of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area—contains a variety of habitats. Notably, the canyon features a mix of low-elevation ponderosa pine forest and shrub-steppe – ideal for Gray Flycatcher.

• Target birds: Vaux’s Swift, Black-chinned and Calliope Hummingbirds, Wilson’s Snipe, Golden Eagle, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Gray Flycatcher, Pygmy Nuthatch, Swainson’s Thrush, Cassin’s Finch, Brewer’s and Lark Sparrows, Yellow-breasted Chat, Orange-crowned and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: Full-day trip. Site to site driving with some walking, no more than 2 miles combined. Roads vary from gravel to paved. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. A scope is not needed but may be helpful. Playback will not be used for Saturday. Playback may be used for some targets on Friday & Sunday.
  Approximate round trip distance: 90 Miles.
  Friday-Bruce LaBar & Marcus Roening- eBird enabled
  Saturday-Michael Hobbs-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Bruce LaBar & Marcus Roening- eBird enabled

Sunnyside Wildlife Area (Yakima County)

This area contains wetlands adjacent to the Yakima River. The trip focuses on the state-owned wildlife area units around Sunnyside and Mabton. The wetlands host a variety of waterfowl, mostly dabbling ducks, and shorebirds. Early morning can be filled with the chatter of Marsh Wrens and the calls of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Unusual species such as White-faced Ibis and Franklin’s Gull have also been found in the area.

• Target birds: Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teals, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Green- winged Teal, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Virginia Rail, Sora, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Wilson’s Phalarope, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, American White Pelican, Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Bank Swallow, Gray Catbird.
• What to expect: We will be mostly driving from site to site and walking at various sections of the wildlife areas up to 2 miles total on level ground. Roads vary from good gravel to paved. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and a sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Playback may be used for some targets. A scope is helpful.
  Approximate round trip distance: 100 Miles.
  Friday-Kerry Turley-eBird enabled
  Saturday – Bob Flores-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Kim Thorburn-eBird enabled

Taneum Creek (Yakima, Kittitas & Chelan Counties)

During this trip you will experience the habitats of the Taneum Creek drainage starting in the grassland and agricultural fields of the Kittitas Valley. Driving up the drainage, you will traverse high-quality riparian habitats and marshes along Taneum Creek. In the uplands the route moves through ponderosa pine forests which becomes a mixed conifer forest with western larch at higher elevations.

• Target birds: Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds, Golden Eagle, Swainson’s Hawk, Red-naped Sapsucker, Voilet-green Swallow, Townsend’s Solitaire, Evening Grosbeak, Purple and Cassin’s Finches, Pine Siskin, MacGillivray’s, Yellow-rumped and Townsend’s Warblers, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: A full-day trip. Roads will be mostly gravel. A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required for each vehicle. Some limited walks through the forest are likely. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Playback may be used for some targets. A scope is helpful but not required.
  Approximate round trip distance: 130 Miles.
  Saturday-Jon Houghton-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Nathan Pieplow-eBird enabled

Teanaway (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

The Teanaway area is known for its diversity of habitats from riparian zones bordering the Teanaway River to the more open, dry conifer woodlands typical of the lower elevations of the eastern Cascades. This trip will explore key hotspots of the Teanaway Community Forest, probing the Teanaway Campground and hiking parts of Carlson Canyon. The tour will continue with stops in Swauk Prairie and along Bettas Road before returning to Yakima via Ellensburg.

• Target birds: Calliope Hummingbird, Spotted Sandpiper, Williamson’s and Red-naped Sapsuckers, Peregrine Falcon, American Dipper, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, MacGillivray’s, Yellow, and Townsend’s Warblers.
• What to expect: Once in the Teanaway area, we will be walking throughout the morning at the two main sites, covering 4 to 5 miles. Trails in the campground are level with some brushy areas, while at Carlson Canyon there are some relatively steep sections on rocky and dusty surfaces. At the leader’s discretion, we may stop at Swauk Prairie where native prairie restoration is underway. Come prepared with drink and food for a full day. Sunscreen and hat are recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. A scope will be helpful. Both a Discover Pass and a Northwest Forest or an America the Beautiful Pass is required for each vehicle. Playback may be used for some targets on Friday. Playback will not be used on Saturday.
  Approximate round trip distance: 130 Miles.
  Friday-Scott Ramos-eBird enabled
  Saturday-Deb Essman-eBird enabled

Toppenish NWR (Yakima County)

This trip visits the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge and nearby hotspots. The refuge provides excellent marsh habitat for various species of breeding ducks, several species of shorebirds and a suite of songbirds in riparian habitat. The shrub-steppe along Pumphouse Road hosts several obligate sagebrush species.

• Target birds: Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teals, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson’s Phalarope, Great Egret, American Bittern, American White Pelican, Swainson’s Hawk, Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Gray Catbird, Sagebrush Sparrow.
• What to expect: Driving from site to site, on gravel and paved roads. Walking no more than two miles on mostly level areas. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and sun hat are recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Playback may be used for some targets. A scope is helpful.
  Approximate round trip distance: 80 Miles.
  Friday-TBA
  Saturday-Kerry Turley-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Jim Danzenbaker-eBird enabled

Umptanum Road-Wenas Loop (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

The Wenas Creek region has a very high diversity of breeding species close to Yakima. We’ll bird arid low-elevation rocky shrub-steppe habitat, mid-elevation park-like ponderosa pine forests, and then ascend to higher mixed conifer communities. We will stop at BBQ Flats Horse Camp, Wenas Campground, and other eBird Hotspots. The loop continues through the ponderosa pine and shrub-steppe habitats along Umptanum Road before returning through the Yakima River Canyon to our lodging.

• Target birds: Ruffed Grouse, Swainson’s Hawk, White-headed Woodpecker, Gray Flycatcher, Pygmy Nuthatch, Sage Thrasher, Western and Mountain Bluebirds, Veery, Yellow-breasted Chat, MacGillivray’s Warbler.
• What to expect: Mostly driving from site to site with some walking up to a mile combined. Roads vary from paved to good gravel. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. A scope will be helpful but not required for this trip. Playback will not be used on Friday. Playback may be used for some targets on Saturday or Sunday.
  Approximate round trip distance: 70 Miles.
  Friday-Laurie Ness-eBird enabled.
  Saturday-Ed Pullen & Kenneth Brown-eBird enabled.
  Sunday– Ed Pullen & Kenneth Brown-eBird enabled.

Vantage, Wanapum and Getty’s Cove (Yakima, Kittitas & Grant Counties)

Taking the Old Vantage Highway east from Ellensburg, we’ll stop at hotspots in shrub-steppe habitats near Wild Horse Wind Farm & Solar Facility. Nearing Vantage, stops will be made at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. At the Columbia River we will bird Wanapum State Park and Getty’s Cove which will give us views of birds of the slickwaters reservoir. Habitats covered include shrub-steppe mantled hills and agricultural areas. Lower down are water reservoirs,coulees and the high cliff escarpments and rocky islands isolated within the Columbia River flow.

• Target birds: White-throated Swift, Bald Eagle, Caspian and Forster’s Terns, American White Pelican, Loggerhead Shrike, Rock and Canyon Wrens, Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s, Sagebrush, and Vesper Sparrows, Bullock’s Oriole.
• What to expect: Site to site driving with some walking up to a mile combined. Roads are gravel to paved. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. A scope is needed for scanning the Columbia River. Playback may be used for some targets.
  Approximate round trip distance: 130 Miles.
  Friday-John Harris-eBird enabled.
  Saturday-Steve Giles-eBird enabled.
  Sunday-Jon Anderson-eBird enabled.

White Pass West (Yakima County)

The upper White Pass area of US-12 has a diverse array of habitats from dry ponderosa pine forest and pockets of mountain riparian to the wet subalpine forests at White Pass. This trip starts at Hause Creek Campground and continues to the White Pass Ski Area. Places visited on this trip include Bethel Ridge, Rimrock Lake, Clear Lake and Leech Lake.

• Target birds: Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Northern Goshawk, Northern Pygmy Owl, Williamson’s and Red-breasted Sapsuckers, White-headed Woodpecker, Clark’s Nutcracker, Fox Sparrow (Slate-colored), Lincoln’s Sparrow.
• What to expect: Primarily driving to specific sites with some walking up to a mile combined. Roads are gravel to paved. Come prepared with drink and food for a full day. A Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful Pass is required for each vehicle. Sunscreen, insect repellent and sun hat recommended. A scope is helpful for scanning the mountain lakes but not required. Playback may be used for some targets.
  Approximate round trip distance: 130 miles.
  Friday-Tim O’Brien-eBird enabled.
  Saturday-Rowan McMurchie-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Scott Downes-eBird enabled.

Yakima Training Center (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

This trip will explore one of the largest expanses of high-quality shrub-steppe remaining in Washington State. The area’s access is tightly managed. It is owned by the Department of Defense and is an active US Army installation. Scott Downes has spent more than 20 years surveying the birds of this facility and is considered an expert on the birds of the training center. There is a small chance that military training activities could cancel access to this trip. If this happens, then we will switch to a backup location. — White Pass-West–. (Consult that trip description for details.) Participants will be notified at least a week in advance if the training center will be closed.

• Target birds: Chukar, Common Nighthawk, White-throated Swift, Golden Eagle, Swainson’s Hawk, Long-eared Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, Canyon Wren, Sage Thrasher,and an impressive list of shrub steppe sparrows: Brewer’s, Vesper, Sagebrush, Lark, and Grasshopper.
• What to expect: Participants must provide photo ID for entrance. High-clearance vehicles with good tire tread are recommended for gravel roads. Some moderate hiking through shrub-steppe and riparian areas. Total hiking distance combined of 2 miles or less. Come prepared with drink and food for a full day. A scope is very useful. Playback may be used for some targets. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended.
  Approximate round trip distance: 100 Miles.
  Saturday-Scott Downes-eBird enabled

Hop Capitol-Birds-n-Brew: 3/4-day trip. (Yakima County)

This laid-back social trip combines birding with beer! The Yakima Valley, in Eastern Washington, is the “Hop Capital of the World”. We’ll explore eBird hotspots around Yakima, then quench our thirst at local Brewers selected by the leader. Perfect for those recovering from a night owling or those who want a relaxed Saturday trip.

• Target birds: Osprey, Swainson’s Hawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Northern House Wren, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: Departs 8 AM, returning to conference center by 2:30 PM. Travel on paved roads. Birding in parks and other public areas. Some walking around the hotspots up to 2-miles. Come prepared with food and drink. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. A scope may be helpful but not required. Playback may be used for some targets.
  Approximate round trip distance: 30 Miles.
  Saturday-Nathan Pieplow-eBird enabled

Photographer-Friendly: 3/4-day trip (Yakima County)

Location: TBA – based on interests of the group. This trip will be photographer-friendly, meaning we are less interested in compiling a long species list than we are in achieving some nice photographs. Given the right opportunities (never guaranteed), we will linger a little longer with a bird or group of birds than necessary for a quick ID, perhaps considering birds in their environmental context, not just as subjects for tight, closely cropped portraits.

• Target birds: TBA
• What to expect: Departs 8 AM, returning to conference center by 2:30 PM. There will be limited walking on easy terrain. Bring photo equipment of your choice, possibly including tripods and long and medium lenses. Roads may be paved or gravel and the appropriate user pass (Discover Pass and Northwest Forest/America the Beautiful Passes) may be required for each vehicle.
  Approximate round trip distance: 50 Miles
  Saturday-Dave Kreft eBird enabled

Cowiche Canyon (Yakima County)

Just west of Yakima, Cowiche Canyon has been preserved through the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy. We will hike the canyon floor for 3-4 miles. The trail, on an old railroad bed, has numerous bridge crossings over Cowiche Creek and winds beneath steep sagebrush slopes and colorful lichen-splotched cliffs of basalt and andesite.

• Target birds: Bank and Violet-green Swallows, Rock and Canyon Wrens, Gray Catbird, Yellow breasted Chat, Bullock’s Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: Hiking, about 3-4 miles on well-maintained trails. Travel by car will be on paved roads. No user-passes are required. Come prepared with drink and food. Playback may be used for some targets on Friday, playback will not be used on Sunday. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended.
  Approximate round trip driving distance: 30 Miles.
  Friday-Jon Anderson-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Michael Hobbs-eBird enabled

Student Field Trip to the Yakama Tribe Eagle Aviary and Bison Ranch (Yakima County)

This unique field trip is geared towards students and young birders; however, it is open to all members if space allows. This special half-day trip explores Yakama Tribe Eagle Aviary and Bison ranch in Toppenish, WA. The Yakama Nation Eagle Aviary is a sanctuary for non- releasable eagles, honoring their cultural and spiritual significance to the Yakama people. Attendees will meet the eagles, then explore the Bison ranch in a military-style truck to view and learn about the role of Bison to the Yakama people while looking for birds along the way

Target birds and mammals: Wild Turkey, Swainson’s and Red-tailed Hawks, Golden and Bald Eagles, Sandhill Crane, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, American bison and coyote.
What to expect: A half-day trip from 7:30 am – 12:00 pm. Limited to 15 participants (plus parents for carpool support). Students and drivers/chaperones should organize their carpool to the site in advance. Drive 1 hour to Toppenish from Yakima to the Yakama Eagle Aviary. After meeting Michael Beckler, Lead Aviary Biologist and learning about the eagles, the group will board a safari-style truck and visit the Yakama Tribe bison herd while discussing conservation efforts and looking for bird species. Participants will need to sign a liability waiver in advance of the field trip.
Friday-Maci MacPherson

Eschbach Nature Area & Painted Rocks (Yakima County)

Five miles west of Yakima along the Naches River lies Eschbach Nature Area. Now owned by Yakima County, it was once a Coney-Island type park run by the Eschbach family. The park is now a Natural Area important to Chinook and Coho Salmon and a wide variety of nesting and migrating birds. Among large cottonwoods and pines there are extensive brushy areas and well- developed streamside habitat. A short drive away is Painted Rocks which hosts White-throated Swifts nesting amongst swarms of Cliff Swallows.

• Target birds: White-throated Swift, Black-chinned and Anna’s Hummingbirds, Downy,
  Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers, Western Wood Pewee, Yellow-breasted Chat, Wilson’s Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: Hiking, about two-three miles on trails. Car travel will be on paved roads. No passes required for vehicles. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Playback will not be used.
• Approximate round trip distance: 30 Miles.
• Friday-Jay Withgott-eBird enabled
• Saturday-Shawneen Finnegan & Dave Irons-eBird enabled
• Sunday-Shawneen Finnegan & Dave Irons-eBird enabled

Fort Simcoe (Yakima County)

Fort Simcoe State Park is just west of Toppenish. This historic park’s preserved buildings are within a beautiful Garry oak grove, home to an impressive concentration of Lewis’ Woodpeckers. We will bird this park extensively, observing the cavity-nesting behaviors of primary and secondary excavators along with several riparian and grassland species.

• Target birds: Lewis’ Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo, California Scrub-Jay, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch (interior race), Lark Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: Half-day trip. Expect to walk approximately a mile around the many historical buildings and clumps of riparian habitat within the State Park. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen, insect repellent and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. A Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Scopes are useful. Playback may be used for some targets on Saturday. Playback will be used on Sunday.
• Approximate round trip distance: 80 Miles.
• Friday-Bob Flores-eBird enabled
• Saturday-Jim Danzenbaker – eBird enabled
• Sunday-Debbie House-eBird enabled

Snow Mountain Ranch

This half-day trip will visit Snow Mountain Ranch just west of Yakima, a preserve of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy. The ranch has trails in the Garry oak groves and riparian woodlands; longer trails climb up into the shrub-steppe covered uplands.

• Target birds: Black-chinned Hummingbird, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, California Scrub-Jay, Sage Thrasher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brewer’s and Vesper Sparrows, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: Hiking about three miles on trails. Travel by car will be on paved roads. No vehicle passes are required. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Playback will not be used.
• Approximate round trip distance: 30 Miles.
• Friday-Sarah Shippen & Gene Miliczky- eBird enabled
• Sunday-Sarah Shippen & Gene Miliczky eBird enabled

Yakima Greenway (Yakima County)

This half-day trip explores the birding gem of the City of Yakima, the Yakima Greenway. The Greenway extends along the Yakima and Naches Rivers through Yakima. The focus will be on two places: the Poppoff Trail and Sportsman’s State Park. If time allows, the Yakima Arboretummay be explored. Habitats are excellent riparian areas along the Yakima River as well as a series of ponds.

• Target birds: Wood Duck, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Osprey, Eastern Kingbird, Bank and Tree Swallows, Bewick’s Wren, Gray Catbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Black-headed Grosbeak.
• What to expect: A half-day trip. Expect trail hiking at Poppoff, one to two miles, mostly paved. Travel by car is on paved roads. No vehicle passes required. Come prepared with drink and food. Scopes are not required for this mostly hiking trip. Sunscreen and sun hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. No playback will be used on Friday. Playback may be used for some targets on Sunday.
  Approximate round trip distance: 30 Miles.
  Friday-Cindy McCormack-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Mike & MerryLynn Denny

Yakima River Canyon-Driving (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

The Yakima River Canyon is a magnificent 20-mile stretch of the river that runs between Ellensburg and Selah. This half day driving trip along Scenic Byway SR-821 stops at well- known birding hotspots and recreation areas along the canyon floor by the river. The early morning sun provides great lighting to view the towering cliffs, which host a nice selection of nesting raptors. Bighorn sheep are often seen clambering about the basalt ramparts or on the nearby bunchgrass-grown slopes. Along the Yakima River are many sites with riparian thickets and a few slack-water wetlands supporting many Neotropical bird species which we’ll seek out.

• Target birds: Chukar, White-throated Swift, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Eastern Kingbird, Bushtit, Rock and Canyon Wrens, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: A half-day trip with a couple of short walks. Travel by car will be on paved roads; both a Discover Pass and an America the Beautiful Pass are required for each vehicle. Come prepared with drink and food along with sunscreen and sun hat. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Playback may be used for some targets.
  Approximate round trip distance: 50 Miles.
  Friday-Dave Kreft-eBird enabled
  Saturday– John Harris-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Dave Kreft-eBird enabled

Yakima River Canyon: Hiking Umtanum Creek (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

This half-day trip will travel the magnificent Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway (SR 821) and will stop at eBird hotspots along the way to the Umtanum Creek Trail. Upon reaching this trailhead, the group will hike 2 to 3 miles round trip alongside the creek-lined riparian habitat. Along the trail, towering cliffs loom overhead. Patches of shrub-steppe habitat are also met.

• Target birds: Chukar, White-throated Swift, Osprey, Golden and Bald Eagles, Prairie Falcon, Eastern Kingbird, Bushtit, Rock and Canyon Wrens, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting.
• What to expect: A half-day trip. Travel by car will be on paved roads; both a Discover Pass and an America the Beautiful Pass are required for each vehicle. Expect hiking up and down Umtanum Creek about two-three miles on a moderately well-maintained dirt trail. Trekking poles may be helpful. Come prepared to carry drink and food. Sunscreen and hat recommended. It will be tick season, so insect repellent is recommended. Playback may be used for some targets.
• Approximate round trip distance: 50 Miles.
• Friday-TBA
• Saturday-Shep Thorp
• Sunday-Jay Withgott-eBird enabled

Bethel Ridge Owls (Yakima County)

This driving trip will explore the forested slopes along Bethel Ridge Road stopping and listening/calling for owls and nightjars.

• Target species: Flammulated Owl, Northern Pygmy Owl, Barred Owl, Common Poorwill. Possible Great Horned and Long-eared Owl.
• What to expect: Limit 6 people. A night trip and after-midnight return. Staying near the vehicles. Owls may be heard only. Playback may be used. Binoculars are useful if owls are cooperative. Scopes are not useful.
  Approximate round trip distance: 80 miles.
  Thursday-Scott Downes-eBird enabled
  Sunday-Shep Thorp-eBird enabled

Rimrock Lake Owls or Leader’s Choice (Yakima County)

This trip will explore areas around Rimrock Lake or leader’s choice location. Rimrock Lake reservoir enables sounds to travel very long distances. The shores are a mixture of wet conifer forests with several marshes including Tieton Marsh.

• Target species: Northern Pygmy-Owl, Barred Owl, Long-eared Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl. Flammulated Owl is possible.
• What to expect: Limit of 6 people. A night trip and after-midnight return. Staying near the vehicles. Roads are paved and gravel. Playback may be used. Binoculars may useful if birds are cooperative. Scopes not useful.
• Approximate round trip distance: 95 miles.
• Thursday-Nathan Pieplow
• Sunday-Rowan McMurchie-eBird enabled

Wenas Owls & Nightjars (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

We’ll take North Wenas Rd. stopping and listening/calling for owls and nightjars.

• Target species: Flammulated Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Long-eared Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl and Common Poorwill.
• What to expect: Limit 6 people. After-midnight return. Staying near the vehicles. Roads are paved and gravel. Some owls may be heard only. Playback may be used. Binoculars are useful if owls are cooperative. Scopes are not useful.
  Approximate round trip distance: 65 miles.
  Thursday night-Ed Pullen & Kenneth Brown-eBird enabled

Yakima River Canyon Owls (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

This trip will explore areas around various recreation sites in the Yakima River Canyon and the Umtanum Creek Trailhead. Habitats are a mixture of conifer forest patches, some cottonwood groves amongst steep basalt canyon walls.

• Target species: Western Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl. Other owl species possible: Barred Owl, Long-eared Owl.
• What to Expect: Limit 6 people. Night trip with after-midnight return. Staying near the vehicles. Roads are paved. Some owls may be heard only. Playback may be used. Binoculars are useful if owls are cooperative. Scopes not useful.
  Approximate round trip distance: 60 Miles.
  Friday night-Tim O’Brien-eBird enabled
• Sunday night-Fianna and Blythe Wilde-eBird enabled

On The Way Trips and the Going Home Trips have no trip fee or limit on cars/participants unless specified by your trip leader. They are designed to optimize your birding experience, get to know other birders, and take advantage of the areas that can be birded while going to your destination (to Yakima on Thursday and going towards home or airport on Monday). We encourage all participants to carpool both coming to and going from the conference! If not listed in the description, your trip leader will contact you regarding the exact meeting time and location.

TBA trips indicate a leader is needed. Please consider volunteering to lead one of these more casual trips and share your favorite stops with others. Contact Laurie@wos.org

GOING OVER ON THURSDAY

Vancouver/Columbia Gorge to Yakima (Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, Yakima Counties)

This Going-To Yakima trip leaves at 7 a.m. Thursday from the Steigerwald Lake parking lot. We will travel SR-14 and make short stops at several locations en route. Stops could include Lyle-Balch Cemetery and Brooks Memorial State Park in Klickitat County, Toppenish NWR in Yakima County. Discover Pass and 2-way radios will be needed. Playback may be used for some targets.

Approximate trip distance: 165 miles
Leader: Randy Hill

North Seattle/Snohomish Co. to Yakima via I-90 and Canyon Rd (SR 821)(Snohomish, King, Kittitas & Yakima Counties)

For this Going-To trip, meet Thursday (June 5) at 7:00 a.m. at the Edmonds Park & Ride on 72nd Avenue West and 213th Place SW in Edmonds. We will check spots near Snoqualmie Pass for American Dipper, MacGillivray’s Warbler andpossible Sooty Grouse, and then make stops at Bullfrog Pond and the Railroad ponds near Cle Elum for more forest and wetland birds including possible Veery and Gray Catbird. We’ll probably take Rt. 10 to Ellensburg with several stops along the way, moving on to Canyon Rd. In the Yakima River Canyon, we’ll stop and walk a bit up the lower Umtanum Creek, looking for
YB Chat, Canyon Wren, and Lazuli Bunting. After several more stops along the river, we’ll move on to Yakima, arriving between 4 and 5 pm.

• Target species: Sooty Grouse, American Dipper, Veery, Gray Catbird, MacGillivray’s Warbler.
• What to expect: A full-day trip staying together until at least Canyon Rd. We will be driving to sites along the way with some walking up to a mile combined. Roads are mostly paved. Come prepared with drink and food. Bring Discover Pass & Northwest Forest/America the Beautiful Passes for each vehicle. Carpools are encouraged. Sunscreen, insect repellent and hat strongly recommended. Playback may be used for some targets.
  Approximate distance (to Yakima): 160 miles.
  Leaders – Jon and Kathleen Houghton-eBird enabled

GOING HOME/AIRPORT ON MONDAY (No Yakima Return)

Yakima Via Chinook Pass (Yakima, Pierce & King Counties)

This going home trip takes SR 410 to Chinook Pass with stops along the American River. Side trips into Bumping Lake and the north slope of Bethel Ridge will be included. Habitats covered include the river riparian and wet and dry coniferous forest. This trip may make stops around Mt. Rainier National Park. A hike of about 1-2 miles at Dewey Lake Trail may be included if snow conditions allow.

• Target birds: Harlequin Duck, Black Swift, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Clark’s Nutcracker, American Dipper, Hammond’s and Dusky Flycatchers, Orange-crowned and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Lincoln’s and Fox Sparrows.
• What to expect: Roads vary from paved to gravel. Come prepared with drink and food. A Discover Pass and Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful Pass may be needed for each vehicle. There may still be snow at the summit of Chinook Pass, so dress appropriately. Playback may be used for some targets.
• Approximate trip distance: 150 miles.
  Leader-Shep Thorp-eBird enabled

Cle Elum-Snoqualmie Pass (Yakima & Kittitas Counties)

We’ll travel up the I-90 corridor toward Snoqualmie Pass stopping in the Cle Elum area for birding. Our birding focus will be on eastside forests and accompanying riparian habitats. At the leader’s discretion, stops may include Robinson Canyon, Lake Easton, Teanaway Valley, Cle Elum Ponds and Bullfrog Road.

• Target birds: Barrow’s Goldeneye, Ruffed Grouse, Sooty Grouse, Golden Eagle, Long-billed Curlew, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Bushtit, Yellow-breasted Chat.
• What to expect: A full-day trip staying together until at least Snoqualmie Pass. We will be driving to sites along the way with some walking up to a mile combined. Roads vary from paved to gravel. Come prepared with drink and food. Bring Discover Pass & Northwest Forest/America the Beautiful Passes for each vehicle. Sunscreen, insect repellent and hat recommended. Playback may be used for some targets.
• Approximate distance (to Snoqualmie Pass): 120 miles.
  Leader-TBA

Vantage, Wildhorse, & Getty’s Cove: split toward Moses Lake/Spokane (Yakima, Kittitas, Grant & Adams Counties)

We leave Yakima to drive along the Old Vantage Highway, then travel toward Moses Lake stopping at the leader’s discretion. Potential stops at Columbia NWR, Potholes Reservoir and Potholes State Park.

• Target birds: American White Pelican, Western Grebe, Caspian Tern, Forster’s Tern, Loggerhead Shrike, Canyon and Rock Wrens, Horned Lark, Sage Thrasher, Western and Mountain Bluebirds, Grasshopper, Brewer’s Sparrow, Sagebrush, and Vesper Sparrows.
• What to expect: Full-day trip staying together until at least Moses Lake. We’ll drive from site to site with some walking up to a mile combined. Roads vary from paved to gravel. Come prepared with drink and food. Bring Discover Pass for each vehicle. Sunscreen, insect repellent and hat recommended. Playback will not be used.
  Approximate distance (to Moses Lake): 150 miles.
  Leader-TBA

Vantage, Wildhorse, & Getty’s Cove to Horn Rapids Park. (Yakima, Kittitas, Grant & Benton Counties)

Leaving Yakima, we’ll travel the Old Vantage Highway stopping for shrub-steppe obligates and other nesting specialties. Stops include Ginko Overlook State Park, Getty’s Cove and Wanapum Dam where we will scope for Columbia River waterbirds and cliff-nesting raptors. Crossing into Grant County at the Vantage Bridge and traveling south via SR 243 toward Vernita Rest Area, we’ll drive toward the river on a dirt track to listen and scope for White-throated Swifts and Canyon Wrens. This is the most reliable spot to find these rare county birds. Along SR-240, we’ll try for distant looks at Burrowing Owls and Long-billed Curlew near Burrowing Owl artificial burrows. The trip concludes with our last stop to bird Horn Rapids County Park, just off SR 240.

• Target birds: American White Pelican, Forster’s Tern, Chukar, Long-billed Curlew, Burrowing Owl, Common Nighthawk, White-throated Swift, Loggerhead Shrike, Canyon and Rock Wrens, Gray Catbird, Sage Thrasher, Say’s Phoebe. A diversity of swallows: Northern Rough-winged, Bank, Violet-green and Tree. Many obligate shrub-steppe sparrows: Sagebrush, Brewer’s, Vesper, and Lark
• What to expect: Full-day trip staying together until Horn Rapids County Park. Travelling and birding from site to site. Roads are paved to gravel. Come prepared with drink and food. Discover Pass is required for each vehicle. Sunscreen, insect repellent and sun hat recommended. Playback may be used for some targets.
• Approximate distance at Horn Rapids County Park: 120 miles.
• Leader-Laurie Ness-eBird enabled

Monday Chase Trip: 3/4 day

This trip is designed to be the leader’s choice and will chase rare or unusual birds found during the conference weekend. If no rarities have been found, the leader will suggest a route and may get input from the group on a destination. Any of the destinations covered by other conference field trips are also potential destinations.

• What to expect: 3/4-day trip. We will be primarily driving from site to site with some walking at the specific sites, maybe a mile combined. As the destination is unknown, road conditions are unknown. Come prepared with drink and food. Sunscreen, insect repellent and hat recommended. Depending on the trip location, weather could vary from hot to layers needed. Come prepared with Discover Pass and Northwest Forest/America the Beautiful Passes for flexibility Scope should be helpful. Playback will not be used on this trip. Check the with leader the day before to anticipate potential route.
  Leader: TBA