Insights on the Endangered Species Act
2025-05-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
By Dr. Todd Wildermuth

The Endangered Species Act turned 50 years old in 2023 and appears to be entering a phase of intense stress. Though some species have recovered and others have been prevented from sliding into extinction, many trendlines are not positive for the ESA. In the physical world of living things, troubled species are getting more troubled, and many common species are becoming less common. In the parallel world of written laws and regulations, key policymakers are seeking ways to limit the ESA’s implementation. Where does that leave us? What actions can we take? And if the ESA has long struggled to do its job, what reforms do we need most? This presentation takes on those questions by reaching back to the ESA’s beginnings, exploring the Act’s course of the past 50 years, and ending with the most recent proposals to amend ESA regulations or suspend their enforcement.

Todd A. Wildermuth is an associate teaching professor of law at the University of Washington School of Law, as well as policy director of the School’s environmental clinic. He teaches courses on natural resources law, wildlife law, ocean and coastal law, and endangered species management. Since 2019, he has been a member of the Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. He lives with his family in Seattle.

Join Our Yakima River Canyon Birdwatching Trip - Note Date Changed
2025-05-29 06:00 - 18:00 | Federal Way Hobby Lobby, 35020 Enchanted Pkwy S, Federal Way, Washington, 98003, United States
Join Roger Orness for an all day trip to the Yakima River Canyon. We will focus on birdsof prey.Meet at 6:00AM at Federal Way Hobby Lobby, next to Costco, to form carpools.https://maps.app.goo.gl/kKmaqGmKnm2GWCrj9Bring binoculars, scopes, and cameras. Dress for the weather and bring lunch, snacks,drinks, and sunscreen. We will plan to return by 6:00 PM.Email Roger at r.orness41@gmail.com or call 253-312-6561 to sign up for this special FieldTrip!

Green Valley in Early Summer
2025-05-31 08:00 - 13:00 | Washington
Leader: Steve Johnson

In June, the migrant birds should be singing on their territory near Auburn and in the beautiful Green Valley east of Auburn. We’ll visit Academy Drive, Green Valley Road, and Flaming Geyser State Park.

We may see and hear warblers, thrushes, vireos, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Virginia Rail, flycatchers, and more. We may walk up to 2 miles on trails and roads.

People who bring their own cars, and want to leave early may do so.

Bring: Lunch, snacks, drinks, hiking shoes. Scopes welcome.

Meet: Auburn Safeway at Auburn Ave & Main at 8:00 AM.

Directions: Take Hwy 18 to Auburn, and exit at Auburn Ave (Hwy 164). Turn north exit at Auburn Ave (Hwy 164). Turn north (right) on Auburn Way and drive 3 blocks north. Safeway sign and gas station is on the left. Park in the lot just beyond the gas station straight out from the right entry door at Safeway at 8:00 am.

Sign-up: Call or email Steve Johnson,

johnsonsj5@msn.com 253-941-9852

Eastside of Cascades Birding Field Class - Rare Birds Unique Landscape
2025-06-03 00:00 - 2025-06-05 23:59 | Washington

Washington Ornithological Society/Western Field Ornithologists ANNUAL CONFERENCE
2025-06-05 00:00 - 2025-06-08 23:59 | Yakima Convention & Event Center Yakima, WA
Yakima Convention & Event CenterYakima, WA

https://wos.org/annual-conference/current-year/REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Western Field Ornithologists (WFO) and Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) areteaming up for the 2025 Annual Conference.

Nestled between the majestic Cascade Mountains and the serene Columbia River, Yakima Valley offers an unparalleled diversity of habitats perfect for birding enthusiasts. From alpine tundra and evergreenforests to desert canyons, grasslands, and riparian woodlands, this region is a haven for avian species and their admirers. Whether you are drawn to the open pine forest or marsh wetlands, Yakima andits neighboring counties provide ideal conditions for seeing a wide range of birdlife in action.

The 2025 program will combine the best of both organizations including:

* Stump the Experts: Bird Quiz Night with Dennis Paulson and Shep Thorp* Sound Identification Team Challenge with Nathan Pieplow* Educational workshops and presentations of original scientific research* Full-day and half-day birding field trips will cover a diverse range of habitats from the wetlands and shrub-steppe of lower elevations to the open forests on the eastern slopes of the Cascades* Over 190 species of breeding birds and migrants are possible through various trips* Woodpeckers are a particular highlight, with 11 of 12 of breeding woodpeckers possible in Washington on field trips* Yakima and Kittitas Counties have a high diversity of owls; up to nine owl species could be possible on various field trips

REGISTRATION IS OPEN AND YOU CAN SECURE YOUR HOTEL ROOMS TODAY! VISIT THE WOS CONFERENCE HOTEL INFORMATION PAGE FOR HOTEL RATES AND RESERVATION INFORMATION.

https://wos.org/annual-conference/current-year/

Rainier Audubon Nature Festival 2025
2025-06-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Flaming Geyser State Park, 23700 SE Flaming Geyser Rd, Auburn, Washington, 98092, United States
Join us for the 2025 Rainier Audubon Nature Festival at Flaming Geyser State Park.

This wonderful state park is only 15 minutes east of downtown Auburn, on Green Valley Road. The event is Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.Our feature presentation is a live bird show. “The Falconer” will present several raptors, including a hawk, falcon, owl, vulture, and an eagle. Other activities include presentations on native plants, mushrooms, bats, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife conservation, gardening, astronomy, geology, and local birds.The kids can paint birdhouses at the crafts station while you parents enjoy the exhibits. Bird lovers of all ages can learn how to attract our avian friends using nest boxes and feeders, and bird identification, and native plant walks will be held throughout the day. Amateur astronomers will have telescopes available to safely view sunspots outside the park lodge.Bring the family and your binoculars along for a day of “Birding and Learning.” This is a FREE ENTRY day at Flaming Geyser State Park. No Discover Pass is required.

No food or potable water is available at the park!

All presentations and activities start at the park Lodge.

Indoor PresentationsTimeGeology of FGSP10:00 – 10:15“The Falconer” : Live Birds11:00 – 12:45Astronomy: “The Sun”1:00 – 1:30Astronomy: “Dark Skies”1:30 – 2:00The American Kestrel2:00 – 2:30Nature ExhibitsAll dayOutdoor ActivitiesTimeBird Identification Walk9:00 – 10:00Geology of FGSP Walk10:15 – 11:00Bird Walk1:00 – 2:00Native Plant Walk2:00 – 3:00Kestrel Nest Hole Walk2:30 – 3:30Solar Telescope ViewingAll Day

Flaming Geyser State Park

Best Trails in Flaming Geyser State Parkhttps://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/washington/flaming-geyser-state-park

Photos and videos of the parkhttps://flic.kr/s/aHsmHGT2XD

Swift Night Out – Vaux’s Swifts in Selleck, WA
2025-09-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Washington
Backup Date: Friday, September 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pmLeaders: Dolly Owen, Ken SchroederJoin us for a “Swift Night Out” in the small town of Selleck, WA to see the amazing Vaux’s swifts return for the evening to their brick-chimney, communal roost site. Each May, thousands of migrating Vaux’s Swifts stop off for a well-deserved rest on their long journey to northern Canada. While the number of Swift’s returning to this site is weather dependent, and can vary from day-to-day, we expect to see hundreds or even thousands of birds after sunset. We meet in Covington and carpool to Selleck to minimize our impact on this small community. Participants can also meet in Selleck. In case of rain, we will reschedule the outing to the following week. See the links below for more details.Meet:6:00 pm at Fred Meyer’s North Parking Lot, Covington, 16735 SE 272nd St, Covington, WA 98042Directions: We will meet in the north parking lot of Fred Meyers’s in Covington. This is the same shopping center for the Covington Costco. From HWY 18 take the WA-516/SE 272nd ST exit toward Covington. This street is also called Kent-Kangley Road. Just east of the bridge there is a Wendy’s on the right. Either turn right at Wendy’s or at the next stoplight at 168 th PL SE. Find us close to the restaurant parking lot, near Fred Meyer’s.Bring: Snacks, drinks, lawn chair, and a warm jacket. Binoculars are optional.Access: Easy access with no walking required. Bring along your lawn chair for comfortable viewing.Sign-up: Call or email Ken Schroeder to sign-up or for more information.kenschroeder@msn.com 253-939-7470More Information:https://rainieraudubon.org/advocacy/couting-vauxs-swifts-at-the-selleck-schoolhouse/https://www.vauxhappening.org/

Selleck Schoolhouse Chimney

Using Native Plants to Attract Insects to our Gardens
2025-09-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
by Alex Juchems

Bird populations are on the decline as reported in the 2025 US State of the Bird report. The report describes how 229 bird species in the US are at a critical point, requiring immediate conservation to avoid extinction. At the same time, insect species worldwide are declining at an alarming rate of 9% each decade as reported in the journal Science. The journal also reported that over the last 150 years, the world has lost up to 10% of insect species which equates to 500,000 species that have gone extinct on our watch.The relationship of these two trends, and how one birder’s journey to moth enlightenment offers hope that we can reverse the decline of both birds and insects, is what our speaker Alex Juchems will share at the September 15th Rainier Audubon meeting.Alex has been a member of Rainier Audubon Society for nearly 25 years. He has served RAS as a Board member, Christmas Bird Count coordinator, and Bird-a-thon coordinator. Most recently Alex provided field support for Puget Sound Bird Observatory’s shore bird surveys as part of the Nature Conservatory’s estuary study at Port Susan Bay near Stanwood, Washington.He is also one of many RAS birders assisting PSBO in collecting data for their secretive bird surveys. He is currently serving on the Board of the Foothills Trail Coalition, providing habitat conservation support along the 22-mile trail. He lives and gardens with his family in Bonney Lake.

Bird Friendly Backyards

Wild Birds Unlimited Store October Bird Walk
2025-10-04 08:00 - 11:30 | Browns Point Lighthouse, 201 Tulalip St NE, Browns Point, Washington, 98422, United States
Join Barbara Petersen’s next WBU bird walk on Saturday Oct 4 to Browns Point Lighthouse Park. Meet at the Burien WBU store by 8:15am to form carpools, or at 8:50am at Browns Point Lighthouse Park.

We’ll look for passerines along edges of park and for saltwater birds on the Sound. We’ll try to finish by 11:30 and be back at WBU by noon.

Call Burien’s Wild Birds Unlimited store to sign up, 206-241-3201

Bass Lake Complex Fall 2025 Bird Walk
2025-10-05 09:00 - 13:00 | Washington
Sunday, October 12@9:00am – 1:00 pm (Backup Bad Weather Date)Leaders: Ken Schroeder and Dolly OwenJoin leaders Ken Schroeder and Dolly Owen for a half-day exploration of the Bass Lake Complex Natural Area. We do a one-way walk to explore three different lakes in this lowland basin along a well-maintained trail, for a total of 1.8 miles. There are only a few gentle uphill sections. We go slowly for birding and nature study. With luck we will observe some fall migrating birds, and possibly a glimpse of the Mt. Rainier Elk herd. Our walk ends at the mysterious “Sinkhole Lake” with a well-deserved reputation of being bottomless.The Bass Lake Complex is a ten-minute drive from Flaming Geyser State Park. We will meet at Whitney Bridge Park at the intersection of SE Green Valley Road, and 218th Ave SE. This intersection is just west of Flaming Geyser State Park. Look for our vehicles parked in a gravelly pull-off at this intersection.When all guests have arrived, we will caravan to Sinkhole Lake. Two cars are parked here while the other two cars shuttle eight birders to our starting location at Bass Lake. At the conclusion of the hike, we shuttle back to the starting point and go our separate ways. Stopping for lunch at the nearby, and world famous, “Black Diamond Bakery” is optional.We must have a total of four cars that each seat four to shuttle between the starting and ending points. This bird hike is capped at six guests, plus two leaders for a total of eight. We remain together for the entire outing.Bring hiking boots, a water bottle, a few snacks, rain gear, binoculars, an optional hiking pole, and your sense of adventure. If the weather is bad, we will postpone to the following weekend.To register for this outing please email Ken Schroeder at kenschroeder@msn.com.Ken is also at 253-939-7470.

Fall Color and Fall Birds
2025-10-11 08:00 - 14:00 | Washington
With Steve Johnson8:00 AM to early afternoonSign up early for this popular annual trip with Steve. Visit picturesque parks and beaches in King County and Pierce County during a great time of year to look for returning fall birds. We will travel to local parks and beaches along Puget Sound, searching for many species of sea birds and forest birds. This is a good time of year to encounter scenic views and fall color. Expect to walk short distances from the cars. People who wish to leave early may do so.Bring: Lunch, beverages, and warm clothes. A scope is very welcome.Meet: 8:00AM at the Redondo Heights Park and Ride, 27454 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003https://goo.gl/maps/BxnYcdDhbSivzyUS7

Sign-up: Call or email Steve Johnson, 253- 941-9852. johnsonsj5@msn.com

Ecology of Our Endangered “Regal” Hawk
2025-10-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
If you’ve driven through the arid shrub-steppe landscape in eastern Washington and caught a glimpse of an impressive hawk in striking white and rust-colored plumage you’ve probably been treated to an increasingly rare sighting – that of our largest soaring hawk, the Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis).

Please join us as we explore unique aspects of the breeding ecology, winter ecology, and migration of this iconic hawk, and how we are working to recover this endangered species.

Jim Watson is a Wildlife Research Scientist with the Washington Department of Fish andWildlife (WDFW) and the lead researcher for statewide raptor studies. He has spent the past 50 years studying raptors in the western United States and abroad. Jim’s research focus includes raptor population dynamics, migration ecology, and management of raptors in human landscapes. His recent work evaluates impacts of wind energy and lead contaminants on golden eagles and ferruginous hawks.

Birding in Northern Peru
2025-11-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
by Marie and Craig Johnson, Barbara Peterson

Craig Johnson, Marie West-Johnson, Barbara Peterson – Just birders who love to travel the world to see unusual and endemic birds in many diverse habitats, meet new people, and experience new cultures.

Puple-throated Sunangle

Northern Peru is home to colorful tanagers and hummingbirds, along with many endemic birds. We stayed at Waqanki Lodge where fruiting trees and beautiful landscaped gardens attracted tanagers and hummingbirds. We also visited an easily accessible crevice with roosting oilbirds. Oilbirds are the ONLY nocturnal frugivore bird in the world.

The centerpiece of our trip was our four night stay at the Owlet Lodge located in the Abra Patricia Reserve. This is a priority site for the critically endangered Long-whiskered Owlet. The Rusty-tinged and Chestnut Antpittas can also be coaxed into view at this lodge. The flying jewel here is the Marvelous Spatula-tail, an extraordinary hummingbird with a range restricted to a single Andean Valley near the Huembo Interpretation Center.

Clark Lake Park - Half Day bird walk with Barbara Petersen and Steve Johnson
2025-11-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Clark Lake Park, 12520 SE 240th St,, Kent, Washington, 98031, United States
Barbara Petersen and Steve Johnson will lead a bird walk for a fall exploration of Clark Lake Park the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The park offers a variety of habitat types and bird species. Follow trails to the lake and through forest, wetland, meadow and even an old orchard. We’ll walk one or two miles at a leisurely place searching for waterfowl, raptors and autumn passerines. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, warm layers, water and snacks.Meet: Join us at Clark Lake Park at 12520 SE 240th St. in Kent at 9:00 AM

Malheur NWR - 2025
2025-12-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
by Dan Streiffert

Meeting Cancelled!

Dan Streiffert is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting – Starts at 7 pm

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86845665547?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 868 4566 5547

Passcode: [REDACTED]

For the past several years the low accumulation of snowpack and rainfall has resulted in a continual reduction in the size of Malheur Lake, to the point where the lake has nearly disappeared. But this changed in 2025 with a 150% snowpack. As a result, there is now enough deep water at the Narrows for Harney and Malheur Lakes to merge. This is both good and bad news.

The good news is an abundance of waterfowl throughout the spring with an extension of the nesting season to the point where many of the birds have had 2 – 3 broods of chicks.

The bad news is that with water everywhere, the birds are spread out all over the area, much of which has flooded making it hard to reach. The flooding was so bad that the north end of Burns flooded the week before the Migratory Bird Festival that was ultimately cancelled.

But there were a few special spots for birding. Just 3 miles south of the headquarters on the Center Patrol Road (CPR) is Wright’s Pond. This has never had any water in it in all the years I have been going to Malheur. This year, due to the snowpack and modifications in the water canals, the area became a large lake. By the end of May 2025, the lake was full of Avocets and Stilts nesting on numerous islands in the lake. And by this time the birds had become use to the cars and were relatively close to the road. All the nests were about to overflow with new chicks. And I had to leave the next day. But there was one nest with new chicks…

See More

Christmas Bird Count 2025
2025-12-28 00:00 - 23:59 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
While the month of November may spell Thanksgiving and pumpkin pie to some, it is also the month to plan ahead for the annual Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) taking place throughout all of North America and beyond. We have scheduled Rainier’s CBC for Sunday, December 28th, 2025. Mark your calendars!The origin of Christmas Bird Counts dates back to the year 1900, when Frank Chapman, an ornithologist with the Museum of Natural History in New York City, challenged people to count birds rather than shoot them as was the custom at that time. Today there are more than 2100 active CBC circles across the US, Canada and several Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Rainier Audubon, active in the CBC since becoming a National Audubon chapter in 1980, fielded six birders and counted 73 species on its first official count, known as the Kent-Auburn CBC. This annual survey of birds and their wintering habitats continues to increase the understanding of population trends, and our awareness of habitat change and its impact on birds everywhere.

While this longtime citizen science project is of great value to science, an important part of a CBC is for participants to have fun on this special day! Everyone is invited to participate, and everyone is welcome, whether a new birder of an experienced one.

Three ways to help:

1) We have terrific leaders for field teams birding each of the eight areas within the 15-mile diameter Kent-Auburn count circle, so come on out and join a team. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a lunch and snacks.

2) If you live within the Rainier count circle, count birds at home doing a feeder watch. We have forms for recording your sightings which can be sent to our compiler.

3) Another way to participate is to join the count dinner team! These generous folks plan, set up for and prepare a warm meal at the church where our monthly programs take place.

All CBC participants are welcome at the dinner at 4PM, where we warm up with hot food, review a tally of bird species seen, and enjoy stories of the day from the field teams.

Signup for the CBC Dinner at the Church so we can get a head count for Pizza!

For further information or to sign up, contact Barbara Petersen, 253 389 3204, or bpbatfan@aol.com.

Skagit Valley field trip
2026-01-17 07:30 - 17:00 | Washington
Join Rainier Audubon for a trip north to visit the Skagit Valley. Species we see include Bald Eagle, SnowGeese, and American Wigeon, we sometimes see Northern Harrier, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Kestrel and shore birds. This trip would for suitable for those with differing abilities, since a lot of thebirding can be done from the car.Bring: Lunch, beverages, and warm clothes. A scope is very welcome.Meet: January 17, 2026 at 7:30 AM at Kent Station, near Panera Bread. Park in the lot or nearby parkinggarage.521 2nd Pl N Suite 101, Kent, WA 98032https://goo.gl/maps/ATtKwd8aNCzx946T8

Saving the Nisqually Delta
2026-01-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
by Janine Gates

Saving the Nisqually Delta is an inspiring drama that captures the voices and efforts of environmentalists who fought proposals by ports, counties, cities, and corporations to industrialize the delta. It also recognizes those who are currently caring for the Nisqually River watershed, from its headwaters at Mount Rainier National Park to the Nisqually Reach.

Significant threats to industrialize the Nisqually Delta were thwarted by effective citizen activism, but today, the Nisqually Delta is still at risk. The cumulative impact of urban and industrial encroachment still threatens the Nisqually Delta and its ecosystem.

Since publication, I have been busy giving slide show presentations throughout the Nisqually watershed and beyond. I have lots of stories to share, and I am grateful to all the organizations and local businesses who have hosted me. I’m booked at events through February 2026!

For more information, go to my Saving the Nisqually Delta website, https://savingnisquallydelta.com, Instagram: @Ja9Olympia, or Facebook: Saving the Nisqually Delta.

A Look Ahead at U.S. Bird Conservation Policy in 2026
2026-01-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Washington

Great Backyard Bird Count
2026-02-13 00:00 - 2026-02-16 23:59 | Washington
Connect to Birds, to Nature, and with Each Other

Share your birds with us February 13-16 and be a part of this global event.

Learn How to Participate

Enter Birds on eBird

Burien Bird Festival
2026-02-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Washington

Why Washington Matters to Waterfowl
2026-02-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
by Kyle Spragens

For a variety of reasons, the ducks, geese, and swans that rely upon Washington’s waters and wetlands every year, are often taken for granted or unnoticed. Using insights and stories from projects across the Pacific Flyway, you will come away with a deeper appreciation and the urge to take a longer look at these migratory masters of the marsh.

Kyle Spragens is the WDFW Waterfowl Section Manager, coordinating monitoring and research activities statewide. He serves on the Pacific Flyway Study Committee charged with status assessments and harvest regulation responsibilities throughout the Pacific Flyway states. Currently he is the U.S. Chair for the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture Management Board and looks for an opportunity to talk about waterfowl whenever folks are interested. To find out more please visit: https://pacificbirds.org/about-pacific-birds/our-people/kyle-spragens/

3 Billion Birds Lost

The Joy of Spring and Summer Birds
2026-03-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
by Thomas BancroftBirds are amazing. Here in Washington, they range in size from minute hummingbirds to swans and eagles. Some stay here all year; others fly incredible distances in their migration. Thrushes have songs like a woodwind quartet, while hawks and vultures squawk and screech. These creatures always leave me with a sense of awe. Their hollow bones and air sacks make them light enough to fly, and their cardiovascular system is far more efficient than the best mammalian athletes. Evolution has blessed the world with more kinds of birds than mammals, heck, more perching birds than mammals. This isunquestionably the age of birds. This talk will explore birds that are in Washington during the spring and summer. We will look at common ones, hard-to-identify ones, and some rare or more difficult-to- discover ones. Songs, distributions, and migrations will all be topics to ponder. Oh, and then how have they evolved? Our journey will jump from Puget Sound lowlands over the top of the Cascades to Eastern Washington, all with the goal of leaving us mesmerized by our feathered friends.Perhaps we can make some sense of why birds leave us with wonder, awe, and incredible joy.Thomas Bancroft’s lifelong passion for birds and nature has been the driving force behind his illustrious career. His earliest memory is of his mother helping him identify Black-capped Chickadees. He was five. Growing up on a farm, he was constantly immersed in the beauty of nature. This love for the natural world led him to pursue these interests in undergraduate and graduate school. Thomas holds a Ph.D. in Biology and an M.A. in Zoology, both from the University of South Florida. He led a research program on Everglades conservation for over a decade, during which time he helped craft restoration and management plans for this spectacular wild area.

2026 Othello Sandhill Crane Festival
2026-03-20 08:00 - 2026-03-22 17:00 | Washington
Join us March 20-22, 2026, in the beautiful Columbia Basin, Othello, WA. You’ll have the chance to see thousands of Sandhill Cranes, ducks, and geese as they gather against the stunning backdrop of the Saddle Mountains and sprawling cornfields. We have a fantastic lineup of wildlife viewing opportunities, along with engaging talks, fun tours, hikes, and workshops for everyone to enjoy. Experience the warmth of our friendly rural community while taking in the fantastic sight of the Sandhill Crane migration. We can’t wait to see you there!

Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition Volunteer Work Party
2026-03-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Washington
Volunteer Work Party | March 21 | Alderton

Join Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition for a hands-on volunteer work party caring for the Foothills Trail near Spooner Farms in Alderton.

Volunteers will help care for trees and shrubs planted last spring, supporting the long-term health of the trail and surrounding landscape. This is a great opportunity to give back, learn more about trail stewardship, and connect with fellow community members.

No experience is required — tools, guidance, and light snacks will be provided. Please dress for the weather and be prepared to work outdoors.

After you register, we’ll send additional details closer to the date, including parking information and what to bring.

Signed volunteer waivers are required annually and must be completed prior to participation.Register

Harney County Migratory Bird Festival
2026-04-16 00:00 - 2026-04-19 23:59 | Washington
Spend an amazing weekend witnessing the spectacular spring migration in the Harney Basin of Southeast Oregon. View thousands of migratory birds as they rest and feed in the wide-open spaces of Oregon’s high desert. From waterfowl to shorebirds, cranes to raptors, wading birds to songbirds, you’ll see them all! The festival offers non-stop birding activities along with historical and cultural information for all ages. Whether you’re a beginner or a lifelong wildlife enthusiast, the festival has something for everyone. Don’t miss this extraordinary weekend. The Harney County Migratory Bird Festival is generously organized and hosted for the benefit of our community by the Friends of Malheur Refuge, Bureau of Land Management, Bird Alliance of Oregon, High Desert Partnership, and Harney County. The festival is held annually in honor of John Scharff, who served as Refuge Manager at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for over 34 years — the longest tenure of any on-site manager in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Migratory Bird Festival | April 16-19, 2026

Olympic Peninsula BirdFest
2026-04-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Washington
Set on Washington State’s North Olympic Peninsula, between the million-acre Olympic National Park and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, this region is renowned for its rich birdlife and diverse habitats, making it one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier birding destinations.Olympic BirdFest takes place each April, timed perfectly to capture the overlap of wintering birds and spring migration. Species such as Harlequin and Long-tailed Ducks, seabirds, and winter songbirds are still present, while spring arrivals like Rufous Hummingbirds return from Mexico alongside the blooming red-flowering currants.

Expert-led field trips explore some of the region’s most iconic birding locations, including Sequim Bay, Port Angeles Harbor, Dungeness Bay, Ediz Hook, Dungeness Spit, and the Elwha River. Additional outings venture through forests, fields, and prairies to seek out a variety of songbirds. Beyond the field trips, BirdFest offers engaging presentations, workshops, and a Saturday night banquet featuring a special guest speaker and raffle.

See the BirdFest 2025 recap video here

Sequim is the ancestral home of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe (a partner of the non-profit Dungeness River Nature Center). Their Tribal headquarters are at the head of Sequim Bay at Blyn. A tour explaining traditional Northwest Coast totemic art (totem poles, house posts, masks, and signage) at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center and their Seven Cedars Resort properties will also be offered. For more information about the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, see https://library.jamestowntribe.org/home where you can also find pre-recorded presentations by tribal elders and leaders on the Tribe’s culture and history.

Olympic BirdFest is the Dungeness River Nature Center’s largest annual fundraiser brought to you in partnership by the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. This event supports hands on environmental education that inspires the next generation of bird lovers.

Olympic Peninsula BirdFest

Bass Lake Complex Spring 2026 Bird Walk
2026-04-18 09:00 - 13:00 | Washington
Revised Date!

Leaders: Ken Schroeder and Dolly OwenJoin leaders Ken Schroeder and Dolly Owen for a half-day exploration of the Bass Lake Complex Natural Area. We do a one-way walk to explore three different lakes in this lowland basin along a well-maintained trail, for a total of 1.8 miles. There are only a few gentle uphill sections. We go slowly for birding and nature study. With luck we will observe some spring migrating birds, and possibly a glimpse of the Mt. Rainier Elk herd. Our walk ends at the mysterious “Sinkhole Lake” with a well-deserved reputation of being bottomless.The Bass Lake Complex is a ten-minute drive from Flaming Geyser State Park. We will meet at Whitney Bridge Park at the intersection of SE Green Valley Road, and 218th Ave SE. This intersection is just west of Flaming Geyser State Park. Look for our vehicles parked in a gravelly pull-off at this intersection.When all guests have arrived, we will caravan to Sinkhole Lake. Two cars are parked here while the other two cars shuttle all birders to our starting location at Bass Lake. At the conclusion of the hike, we shuttle back to the starting point and go our separate ways. Stopping for lunch at the nearby, and world famous, “Black Diamond Bakery” is optional.We must have a total of four cars that each seat four to shuttle between the starting and ending points. This bird hike is capped at six guests, plus two leaders for a total of eight. We remain together for the entire outing.Bring hiking boots, a water bottle, a few snacks, rain gear, binoculars, an optional hiking pole, and your sense of adventure. If the weather is bad, we will postpone to the following weekend.

"Mighty and Tiny: The Territorial World of Hummingbirds"
2026-04-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave SWA 98001, Auburn, Washington, 98001, United States
by Alyssa J. Sargent

What does a day in the life of a hummingbird entail? Where do they travel, and which rival is worth attacking? Does it pay off to stay near home, saving energy for inevitable battle, or to fly further afield—facing new perils—to find food? Cutting-edge technologies can help us to answer these questions. In my PhD, I study hummingbirds in Colombia using “on-board” devices, which we equip to the birds themselves; these tiny electronics allow us to map where individual hummingbirds disappear to, how active they really are, and how thick the competition can get at a given feeder. Come join me and take a peek, up close, at the swashbuckling lives of the world’s smallest birds!

Alyssa J. Sargent is a PhD candidate and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Washington, where she’s a part of the Behavioral Ecophysics Lab. In her current work, she studies the swashbuckling, drama-packed lives of hummingbirds in Colombia. Alyssa loves to come up with creative ways to share her research with people—including a bilingual board game, “Hummingbird Sugar Rush” (“Fiebre de Azúcar en Colibríes”)—to teach people about the decisions hummingbirds must make every day. Throughout her career, she’s studied birds in Australia, Portugal, Ecuador, Canada, Puerto Rico, and numerous states.

King County Regional Meeting
2026-04-30 10:00 - 14:00 | Seward Park Audubon Center, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, Washington, 98118, United States
This is a great opportunity to find out what our neighborhood chapters are doing, and to share our own projects.

If you would like to join us, please contact me at so we can register you for lunch.dan_streiffert@hotmail.com

This message is going out to chapter leaders at Birds Connect, Eastside, Rainier, and Vashon.

We have a lot to catch up on at this spring’s in-person Regional Meeting. By then:

The 2026 legislative session will be complete

We may have a new policy lead on staff

Progress will be underway on Lights Out Washington

Planning will be ramping up for Bird Week/ACOW 2026 this October in Bellingham

Spring birding festivals will be in full swing

It will also be a great opportunity for our new(ish) VP, Amanda Kaplan, to meet your chapters in person.

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