Field Trip Highlights

Bob Heirman Wildlife Area Field Trip (7/21/01) Highlights

A group of 10 birders led by Joyce Meyer were rewarded with good looks at nearly all of the 41 bird species seen at this wildlife area in Snohomish County.

Bob Heirman (Snohomish County) Wildlife Area Field Trip (11/14/02) Highlights

This trip to Snohomish County included Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier and Red-tailed Hawk.

Bowerman Basin to Tokeland Field Trip (5/13/06) Highlights

Eight birders, including one all the way from New York ...

Camano Island Field Trip (10/26/02) Highlights

It was a cloudy, cool day in the 40’s but it did not rain.

Camano Island Field Trip (2/8/03) Highlights

Nearly frozen fingers and noses couldn't keep the group from enjoying and seeing a great number of birds.

Camano Island Field Trip (2/21/04) Highlights

It was very foggy when we arrived at Eide Road near Stanwood. We heard Snow Geese but could not see them in the fog.

Camano Island/Stanwood Field Trip (3/9/06) Highlight

Along Eide Road Red-winged Blackbirds sang heartedly ...

Cavanaugh Ponds and Black River Riparian Forest Field Trip (10/28/02) Highlights

We saw the Cedar River full of sockeye salmon, mostly alive but enough dead carcasses to cause a smell.

Cougar Mountain Regional Park Field Trip (2/27/06) Highlights

This was a Monday Morning Hotspots field trip on a cloudy, but relatively warm day in the 50s. We didn't see a large number of birds, but we saw some quality birds.

2002 Christmas Bird Count (1/4/03) Highlights

The day began cloudy then had heavy rain for about two hours at lunchtime, with the sun out for the rest of the afternoon.

2003 Christmas Bird Count (1/3/04) Highlights

It was cold, temperatures in high 20s, with light snow most of the day for the ELWAS CBC. There was 1-2” of snow in most areas which contributed to a beautiful landscape.

2005 Christmas Bird Count (12/17/05) Highlights

The count day, was clear and cold, 30-35 degrees, but it was comfortable in the sun. Twenty-seven people showed up to cover the seven count areas.

2004 Christmas Bird Count (12/18/04) Highlights

Saturday, December 18, 2004, was probably the best weather we have ever had for the CBC.

Christmas Lake and Rattlesnake Lake Field Trip (5/27/05) Highlights

Seven birding by ear enthusiasts met at the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area on an unusually hot, sunny May day.

Cougar Mountain Field Trip (3/13/03) Highlights

In spite of the dire weather predictions, the hike was practically rain-free.

Des Moines Marina, Salt Water State Park, and Redondo Field Trip (12/11/03) Highlights

An albino Yellow-billed Loon was quickly spotted off Redondo Beach and eventually it moved in close to the beach to give everyone excellent looks at its pale, pinkish bill.

Des Moines Marina/Salt Water State Park Field Trip (12/12 /03) Highlights

It was a good day to observe waterfowl.

Des Moines Marina and Saltwater State Park Field Trip (12/9/04) Highlights

The calm weather and flat water allowed for very good looks at the waterfowl.

Des Moines Area Field Trip (12/8/05) Highlights

Brilliant sunshine and crisp air made viewing waterfowl a delightful experience.

Des Moines Marina/Saltwater State Park Field Trip (1/23/06) Highlights

It was a cloudy, calm, day in the mid-40s with some occasional mist for this Hotspots trip.

Discovery Park Field Trip (11/19/05) Highlights

It was a cloudy, cool day in the 40s.

Eastern Washington Field Trip (6/8/06) Highlights

12 birders saw 86 species on this field trip from Snoqualmie Pass area to the Umtanum Creek Recreation Area.

Edmonds Waterfront Field Trip (11/13/06) Highlights

A Northern Fulmar was a lifer for many of the birders.

Farrell-McWhirter Park Field Trip (5/28/01) Highlights

Six birders showed up on a cloudy, cool, rainy morning.

Foster Island Field Trip (3/24/03) Highlights

We all enjoyed birding on a beautiful Monday morning after many rainy days.

Foster Island and Montlake Fill Field Trip (12/26/05) Highlights

The initial outlook for this Hotspots trip was dubious with a lot of rain that brought out the umbrellas. However, about an hour later the rain stopped and it was comfortable birding.

Fox Island to Key Peninsula Field Trip (10/29/05) Highlights

We had very nice weather the whole day contrary to predictions.

Gold Creek Park Field Trip (July 24, 2006) Highlights

Five birders ended up with 18 species for this Monday Morning Hotspots trip to Gold Creek Park on a sunny, very warm day in the mid-80s.

Grays Harbor Loop Field Trip (8/24/02) Highlights

It was a cloudy, cool day on the coast, but an enjoyable day for birding.

Green Lake Field Trip (12/6/03) Highlights

It was a very nice, mostly sunny morning for this walk around Green Lake with Martin Muller.

Green Lake Field Trip (12/14/03) Highlights

Hugh Jennings enjoyed a leisurely walk around Green Lake with Martin Muller. It rained continuously which probably was the reason no one else showed up for this trip.

Green Lake Field Trip (12/11/04) Highlights

Only three people started from the Park & Ride and we drove to the Bathhouse Theater to meet our guide Martin Muller. Then others started arriving at the theater parking lot.

Green Lake Field Trip (12/3/05) HIghlights

It was a cloudy, cool day but the morning rain stopped before we got to Green Lake.

Hazel Wolf Wetlands Field Trip (8/9/01) Highlights

A walk in this treed wetland on the Sammamish Plateau was enjoyed by 13 people, including leader Joyce Meyer, on a sunny day.

Hurricane Ridge, Blue Mountain and Dungeness Spit Field Trip (7/7, 7/8 and 7/9/01) Highlights

This traditional Olympic Mountain flower trip was attended by nine wildflower enthusiasts and led by Irene von Tobel.

Hurricane Ridge Flower and Bird Walk (7/22 and 7/23/06) Highlights

Hot and wild. the only way to characterize this year's annual wildflower trek up Hurricane Hill, where nine stalwart hikers found fifty-three wildflower varieties and hot weather. For the past two year we had to grab our rain gear, but this year we wore sunscreen, by the gallons.

Jetty Island (Everett) Field Trip (7/12/01) Highlights

It was a lovely day when 16 people birded Everett's Jetty Island, marina and Legion Park.

Jetty Island (Everett) Field Trip (7/10/03) Highlights

Least Sandpipers and Spotted Sandpipers gave everyone an opportunity to study the birds' field marks as they foraged in the muddy lagoon. Coyote tracks could be seen in the sand.

Juanita Bay Park Field Trip (1/9/03) Highlights

For everyone arriving at the Park, there were many scopes focused on the Merlin eating a meal at the top of a snag.

Kenmore Great Blue Heron Colony Viewing (3/10/06) Highlights

The weather was excellent with sunshine and the herons were abundant and displaying.

La Conner Nature Cruise Field Trip (6/30/01) Highlights

About 30 people had a great time on the Whale Cruise.

La Conner Nature Cruise Field Trip (2/22/03) Highlights

We were rewarded by very good weather and calm seas.

Lake Fenwick Field Trip (2/24/03) Highlights

It was a beautiful morning for this Monday hotspots trip.

Lake Fenwick and Boeing Ponds Field Trip (3/27/06) Highlights

This was a Monday Morning Hotspots field trip on a beautiful, sunny day ...

Lake Hills Greenbelt (Bellevue) Field Trip (7/23/01) Highlights

Numerous robins, starlings and House Finches gave 14 people - led by Joyce Meyer - the opportunity to study many different plumages on these young birds.

Lake Hills Greenbelt Field Trip (9/9/04) Highlights

It was a pleasure to share our local birds with Jindra and Mita Blaha, visitors from the Czech Republic.

Lake Hills Greenbelt Field Trip (4/25/05) Highlights

All 4 birders were men on this Monday morning hotspots trip on a nice sunny day, and we saw a total of 42 species.

Lake Sammamish State Park Field Trip (1/8/04) Highlights

A cool, cloudy winter day and a walk through snowy slush yielded good looks at Red-breasted Sapsucker, Eurasian Wigeon, Brown Creeper, and Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Leavenworth Owling Weekend (2/26 through 2/29/04) Highlights

This trip was setup around a night owling trip from Leavenworth by Sarah Smith of the Forest Service.

Luther Burbank Park Field Trip (8/26/02) Highlights

It was cloudy but very comfortaIble day in the mid-60s.

Luther Burbank Field Trip (7/26/04) Highlights

It was a beautiful, sunny day in the upper 60s for this Monday Morning Hotspots trip.

MacDonald Park Field Trip (9/22/03) Highlights

It was a beautiful, sunny day with a temperature of about 70, on this last day of summer when we visited MacDonald Park in Carnation.

Malheur Field Trip (5/19/04) Highlights

 

Marymoor Park Field Trip (4/28/03) Highlights

It was a beautiful, sunny and warm day in the upper 60's. The highlight of the trip was seeing a Green Heron on a nest.

Marymoor Park Field Trip (4/24/06) Highlights

It was a beautiful day for birding on this Monday morning hotspots trip.

Montlake Fille (Union Bay Natural Area) Field Trip (6/25/01) Highlights

Ten birders showed up on a nice partly cloudy day to find 34 species.

Montlake Fill Field Trip (9/14/02) Highlights

The weather was perfect for birding - sunny, 65-70 degrees - and a number of good birds were seen.

Montlake Fill Field Trip (1/27/03) Highlights

The morning was off and on rain for this Monday Hotspots field trip. We were rewarded early with a beautiful male Anna’s Hummingbird at the garden near the north parking lot.

Montlake Fill Field Trip (8/25/03) Highlights

There were 12 birders, plus a Seattle Times reporter, Maria Gonzalez, for this Monday morning Hotspots trip to the Montlake Fill. A Times photographer, Jimi Lott, joined us from about 11:00-11:30.

Montlake Fill Field Trip (6/28/04) Highlights

It was a sunny, warm day for this Monday Morning Hotspots trip.

Montlake Fill Field Trip (9/3/05) Highlights

It was a cool, partly cloudy day for this large group of birders. We had a reasonably good day considering that we did not see any shorebirds.

Montlake Fill Field Trip (7/29/06) Highlights

Eleven birders recorded 30 species on a pleasant, cool day. A welcome relief from the hot days we have been having.

Moss Lake Field Trip (8/12/04) Highlights

Much of the excitement of birding comes from not knowing what birds may be seen and on a hot day in the Moss Lake woods, the usual birds were scarce.

Naches Peak Field Trip (8/4/01) Highlights

It was a perfect day for the walk around Naches Peak led by Irene von Tobel.

Nature Cruise from La Conner Trip (2/25/06) Highlights

16 people were on board for this cruise that resulted in a total of 52 species for the day.

Newcastle Beach to Renton Riverside Trail Field Trip (11/28/05) Highlights

It was a cloudy, cool and windy morning for this Monday Hotspots field trip.

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Field Trip (4/1/06) Highlights

It was a cool, cloudy and sometimes with sprinkles or heavy rain. But we had a good day birding.

North Fork Stillaguamish River Field Trip (6/21/03) Highlights

Thanks to Melinda B. we were able to bird this beautiful private property with wooded areas, homes, a river and a creek.

North Fork Stilliguamish River Field Trip (10/11/03) Highlights

Despite dire predictions of rain we stayed dry while birding Melinda B's place in a pristine area in the North Fork of the Stilliguamish River valley.

Paul Dye Aviary and Corson Refuge Field Trip (3/1/03) Highlights

It was a perfect, sunny day in the 40’s for our trip through the aviary and refuge.

Perry Creek/Big Four Meadow Field Trip (9/8/02) Highlights

On an overcast fall Sunday morning, 13 birders/naturalists began a beautiful hike on the Perry Creek trail in the Verlot area, northeast of Granite Falls.

Point-No-Point and Foulweather Bluff Field Trip (7/14/01) Highlights

It was a clear summer day for seven birders, led by Jim & Nancy Roberts, to bird the northern coast of the Kitsap Peninsula.

Point No Point, and Marrowstone and Indian Islands (9/11/04) Highlights

In spite of the dire forecasts, our group of 11 birders had great weather for our trip to Kitsap and Jefferson Counties.

Point No Point and Marrowstone Island Field Trip (10/1/05) Highlights

An intrepid group from ELWAS started out this morning determined to brave the gloomy looking weather. But it was not to be - the day turned into sunshine with just a few sprinkles.

Purdy and Key Peninsula Field Trip (10/19/02) Highlights

Mary Cadigan led this field trip on a cloudy, cool and sometimes misty day.

Purdy and Key Peninsula Field Trip (10/30/04) Highlights

The prediction for rain probably resulted in the lowest turnout we have ever had for this trip. However, the weather was beautiful and sunny all day, although windy and cool when on the west side.

Redmond Watershed Field Trip (6/14/01) Highlights

Joyce Meyer led seven birders to explore the quiet woods of the Redmond Watershed.

Scatter Creek Field Trip (6/9/05) Highlights

A sunny day and walks through prairie and oak trees, yielded some excellent bird, reptile and mammal sightings.

Cavanaugh Ponds and Black River Riparian Area Field Trip (10/24/06) Highlights

It was a foggy morning when we started on the Monday Morning Hotspots field trip.

Scatter Creek Field Trip (5/11/06) Highlights

Quality birds were seen during this Birdathon trip to birding spots south of Olympia.

Skagit Flats Field Trip (12/14 and 12/15/03) Highlights

There were 11 birders and 63 species on Saturday in pretty good weather, and in not-so-good weather on Sunday, there were an additional 8 birders and 7 new species added to the list.

Skagit/Samish Flats Field Trip (1/12/06) Highlights

What do you do when it rains? Put on your best rainproof gear and go birding.

Skagit/Samish Flats Field Trip (1/14/06) Highlights

Sun breaks brought out the songbirds and a cool breeze occasionally chilled the birders.

Snoqualmie Pass Area Field Trip (6/24/06) Highlights

Eleven birders saw 26 species on this field trip to Commonwealth Basin, Gold Creek Picnic Area and the road out of Hyak leading to the Cold Creek Trail.

Snoqualmie Pass to Cle Elum Field Trip (7/13/06) Highlights

Eleven birders were led by Brian Bell on this trip to Snoqualmie Pass and east to area north of Cle Elum. 68 species were recorded for the trip.

Snoqualmie Valley Field Trip (2/13/03) Highlights

The first stop out of Fall City was a bonanza ...

Snoqualmie Valley Field Trip (11/10/05) Highlights

Al Showalter was the only other person to show up for this field trip, but Warren Jones found us later near Carnation.

Snoqualmie Valley Field Trip (2/9/06) Highlights

There was a chill in the air as the first of 12 Red-tailed Hawks and 13 Bald Eagles were counted during the 50-mile route.

South Alki Beach Tidal Pools Field Trip (6/23/01) Highlights

Seven birders visited the intertidal shore of south Alki Beach at an extreme low tide of minus 4 feet on a mostly clear day.

South Alki Beach Field Trip (8/10/02) Highlights

A trip scheduled to coincided with the low tide, the ELWAS group found a wide variety of intertidal animals and plants while observing terns, crows, gulls and Ospreys feeding along the coast.

Spencer Island Field Trip (9/27/03) Highlights

We saw Cedar Waxwing everywhere and a lot of Killdeer.

Spencer Island Field Trip (4/13/06) Highlights

The smattering of rain didn't dampen spirits as much as seeing the changes that are occurring on the island.

Stilliguamish, Skagit, and Samish Flats Field Trip (12/7/03) Highlights

The day started out in the 30s with fog, but became clear and sunny in the afternoon.

Stilliquamish, Skagit and Samish Flats Field Trip (11/5/05) Highlights

 

Theler Wetlands via Southworth (5/6/06) Highlights

It was a cloudy, cool morning when five of us saw our first of 6 Red-tailed Hawks for the day at the park & ride lot.

Tradition and Round Lakes Field Trip (12/22/03) Highlights

It was a clear, cool (36-40 degrees) day for this Monday Hotspots trip to the Issaquah plateau.

Tradition and Round Lakes Field Trip (11/22/04) Highlights

It was a cloudy, cool day for this Hotspots field trip. The nice walk made up for the lack of birds.

Tukwila, Kent and Boeing Ponds Field Trip (9/11/03) Highlights

It was a cloudy, but comfortable morning and the showers held off until noon.

Tukwila/Kent Ponds Field Trip (10/27/03) Highlights

It was another perfect day – calm, sunny, mid 50’s, for this Monday morning hotspots trip.

Vashon Island Field Trip (3/22/03) Highlights

Positive attitudes assured birding in partly sunny, albeit windy, weather.

West Seattle Shoreline Field Trip (1/18/03) Highlights

It was a beautiful, sunny day that began at 35 and ended at 48 degrees.

West Seattle Shoreline Field Trip (1/28/06) Highlights

Seven people showed up at the P&R in cool, windy weather.

Whidbey Island (5/11/06) with the Whidbey Wing-Dings Birdathon Team

This was a beautiful, sunny day with a NW wind that made it very cool on the west side of the island.

Whidbey Island Field Trip (8/17/02) Highlights

We started our day with two Bald Eagles at Useless Bay, perching in a nearby conifer tree.

Whidbey Island Field Trip (10/18/03) Highlights

Warm but windy weather sometimes made birding a challenge but the early morning stop at Sunlight Beach was perfect for birds and people.

Whidbey Island Field Trip (8/13/05) Highlights

Early morning on a sunny warm day at Deer Lagoon was rewarded with many shorebirds that included a Pectoral Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Western and Least Sandpiper, and Semipalmated Plover.

Whidbey Island Field Trip (7/15/2006) Highlights

Eight birders led by Joyce Meyer saw/heard 73 species on this all day trip to Whidbely Island.

Mt. Rainier NP Field Trip (8/12/06) Highlights

Ten birders joined leaders Joyce Meyer and Mike West on a hiking trip at Mt. Rainier National Park on August 12 (Sat) to search for specialty bird species. By day's end, 36 species were seen while most of the specialty birds remained to be seen another day.

Camano Island and Stanwood Field Trip (10/15/05) Highlights

The weather was calm, the birders were enthusiastic and the birds were wonderful.

Spencer Island Field Trip (10/13/05) Highlights

It is early fall and ducks are arriving, as witnessed by the number of Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, and Gadwall seen on the island.

Whidbey Island Field Trip (8/17/2006) Highlights

Several stalwart ELWAS birders made the trip over to Whidbey Island on Thursday, August 17th. We started out under overcast skies, but the clouds took much longer to burn off than predicted.

Nisqually Field Trip (9/24/05) Highlights

When birders walk away from a sunning and hunting American Bittern that will not hide, it's called a memorable birding day.

Kelsey Creek Park Field Trip (9/26/05) Highlights

It was a perfect day, sunny and warm, for this Monday morning Hotspots field trip.

Tukwila, Kent and Boeing Ponds Field Trip (8/22/05) Highlights

We enjoyed a partly cloudy and pleasant day about 65-70 degrees.

Grays Harbor Loop Field Trip (8/20/05) Highlights

It was a cloudy day to start but cleared off by the time we got to Tokeland.

Naches Peak Field Trip (8/6/05) Highlights

ELWAS flower watchers were treated to a fine array of sub-alpine blooms on the Naches Peak hike.

Lake Hills Greenbelt Field Trip (8/11/05) Highlights

Flocks of Bushtits couldn't distract the birders from seeing a female Western Tanager and 2 young Downy Woodpeckers that foraged among the many Cedar Waxwings.

Mercer Slough Field Trip (7/25/05) Highlights

It was a nice, sunny morning, about 70 degrees, for this Monday morning Hotspots trip.

Jetty Island Field Trip (7/14/05) Highlights

The weather and the tide favored the birds as well as the birders on this sunny day.

Luther Burbank Field Trip (6/27/05) Highlights

It started out with a light rain for the first hour, but then was a pleasant day in the upper 50s.

Eastern Washington FIeld Trip (6/11/05) Highlights

Rain showers, temperatures from 43 to 75 and wind challenged the group as well as the birds.

Bowerman Basin Field Trip (4/23/05) Highlights

It was a cool, mid 50s, cloudy day with some light rain for our caravan of six cars - some of whom were staying overnight at Ocean Shores. We all managed to stay together and no one got lost.

Spencer Island Field Trip (4/14/05) Highlights

It began cold, windy and rainy and then was off and on cloudy or sunny.

Southworth to Theler Wetlands Field Trip (4/9/05) Highlights

It was a perfect day, sunny and warm for an early spring day.

Medina Area Field Trip (3/28/05) Highlights

For this Monday morning hotspots trip we visited the Medina area.

Eastern Washington Field Trip (3/26/05) Highlights

This trip was interesting considering the weather conditions.

Camano Island Field Trip (3/10/05) Highlights

Many keen eyes made for some great birding moments on a beautifully sunny day.

Jack Block and Herring's House Parks Field Trip (2/28/05) Highlights

This was a Hotspots trip where we went to two parks we hadn't visited before.

Paul Dye Aviary/Corson Refuge Field Trip (2/19/05) Highlights

The 10 ELWAS birders were joined by 23 others, mostly from Pilchuck Audubon, on this beautiful, sunny day.

Snoqualmie Valley Field Trip (2/10/05) Highlights

Bald Eagles (12) and Red-tailed Hawks (16) were prevalent throughout the valley.

LaConner Cruise (2/5/05) Highlights

It was a partly sunny, breezy, cool day.

West Seattle Shoreline Field Trip (1/29/05) Highlights

This was our annual January field trip along the West Seattle shoreline.

Tukwila, Kent and Boeing Ponds Field Trip (1/24/05) Highlights

Those attending this Monday Hotspots trip was hopeful of seeing the Baikal Teal that had been at Kent Ponds the past couple of weeks - but we did not see it.

Skagit and Samish Flats Field Trips (1/13 and 1/15/05) Highlights

Temperatures ranged from 21 to 35 degrees, but gratefully there was no wind.

Tradition and Phantom Lakes Field Trip (1/8/05) Highlights

On this cold morning only Megan Lyden showed up to join me.

West Olympia Field Trip (12/28/04) Highlights

Seven of us went back to Olympia on Tuesday to try and see the Redwing.

West Olympia Field Trip (12/27/04) Highlights

We went down to Olympia on a beautiful day for this lengthy Hotspots trip to attempt to see the Redwing.

Paul Dye Aviary and Corson Refuge Field Trip (2/23/02) Highlights

It was a rainy wet day for the first two hours.

Reifel Sanctuary Field Trip (11/13-14/04) Highlights

It was a gray, cloudy, but dry day on Saturday.

Edmonds Waterfront Field Trip (11/11/04) Highlights

We had a beautiful day for birding on this Veteran's Day which may have been why we only had 3 birders.

Cavanaugh Ponds and Black River Riparian Forest Field Trip (10/25/04) Highlights

There were only four men for this Monday morning hotspots field trip. Usually there are more women than men on our field trip. so this was definitely different.

Camano Island Field Trip (10/23/04) Highlights

When it isn't raining and there's a rainbow as you approach the birding spot, it's going to be a wonderful birding day - and so it was.

Tolt-McDonald Park/Carnation Field Tri