Saturday, June 28: Padilla Bay to Washington Pass

Kraig Kemper will lead a trip starting at Padilla Bay near sea level through the Middle and Upper Skagit Valley, heading east through Butler Flats to the Skagit/Whatcom County Line Ponds, and on up to 5,477-foot Washington Pass.  Target birds include Lazuli Bunting, Western and Eastern kingbird, American Redstart, Red-eyed Vireo, Black Swift, Veery, Three-toed Woodpecker, Clark’s Nutcracker, Gray Jay, and Pine Grosbeak.  Limited to eight (8) participants. Contact Kraig by email or at (206) 789-9255.

Wednesday, July 2, through Sunday, July 6

Northeastern Washington

Ken Knittle will lead a trip to northeastern Washington covering the Sanpoil River, Mud Lake, Little Pend Oreille NWR, Salmo Mountain, and Mount Spokane. Target birds include Veery, Northern Waterthrush, American Redstart, Bobolink, Gray Catbird, Boreal Chickadee, Black Tern and Dusky Grouse.  Plan on camping in primitive campgrounds and birding dawn to dusk.  Bring your own sleeping bag, warm clothes and/or your hot weather clothes, mosquito repellent, food and beverages.  Limited to five (5) vehicles.  Contact Ken by email or at (360) 574-2590.

Saturday, July 26: Whidbey Island Fall Migration

Brian Bell will lead a trip in Island County to Whidbey Island.  The focus for the day will be the fall migration of shorebirds, with stops at a number of locations including Crockett Lake, Swantown, Penn Cove, and others.  Target birds include plovers, small sandpipers, yellowlegs, and dowitchers, with an effort to look for more unusual shorebirds.  However, he will also be alert for passerines, seabirds, woodpeckers, raptors, and any waterfowl that might be around. This will be a rapidly paced trip and return early evening.  Bring scope, boots, lunch, water, and money for ferry.  Limit of seven (7) participants.  For details, contact Brian by email or at (425) 485-8058.

Saturday, August 16: Foothills of Yakima County

Scott Downes will lead a trip to explore the oak habitats, shorelines and east slope of the Cascades in Yakima County.  Likely places covered depending on current conditions include Fort Simcoe State Park, Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Wenas Lake, and the Ahtanum area.  Target birds include Williamson’s Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Spruce Grouse among the more common birds of these habitats.  Be prepared to walk a couple of miles and dress for warm weather.  Owling opportunities are possible if the group is interested for Flammulated Owl and Common Poorwill.  Limit of seven (7) participants.  For details, contact Scott by email or at (509) 469-7807.

Saturday-Sunday, August 23-34: Grant County Neotropical Migrants and Shorebirds

Saturday, Doug Schonewald will bird the upper Grand Coulee for neo-tropical migrants.  Areas covered include Sun Lakes State Park, Steamboat Rock State Park, and Northrup Point.  Time permitting, additional stops may include Cole’s Park in Grand Coulee and Hartline.  Shorebirds are possible, but the focus on the first day will be passerines.  Sunday Doug will bird Potholes State Park in early morning for passerines.  The focus will shift mid-morning to migrant shorebirds covering the Potholes State Park area, with additional stops at Perch Point and Lind Coulee.  Expect early start times to beat the heat of the day and ample rest stops to cool down.  Carpooling and limited to eight (8) participants.  For details, contact Doug by email or at (509) 766-0056.