Welcome to North Cascades Audubon Society

NCAS Field Trips


NCAS Spring Field Trip Information and Schedule

Join us in the field and experience the changing seasons as wintering species head north and other migrants return from the south. Every trip is a unique and fulfilling experience. NCAS field trips are intended for birders of all abilities and are offered FREE of charge to all. We often limit the number of participants in order to assure a positive experience and reduce negative impacts. All participants are encouraged to carpool and share expenses with those willing to drive. When registration is required, please contact the trip leader directly. Please check out the offerings below and call early if you are interested.

North Cascades Audubon trips are open to all who wish to attend, FREE of charge. We limit the number of participants on many of our trips in order to reduce environmental impact and to assure a quality experience. Therefore, advance registration is often required. Carpooling is encouraged and we urge all passengers to share expenses with those who drive.

The current list of fall field trips is below. Please contact individual leaders if advance registration is required.

If you have suggestions for future trips, questions, feedback on past experiences, or would like to share your expertise as a leader, please contact Paul Woodcock by phone at 380-3356 or e-mail at vp@northcascadesaudubon.org.

Please Note:
Some trips are led by North Cascades Audubon Society guides and are co-sponsored by Whatcom County Parks and Recreation.

NCAS Field Trip Guidelines

North Cascades Audubon field trips are open to chapter members and non-members alike and are free of charge. We limit the number of participants for most of our trips in order to reduce environmental impact and to assure a quality experience. Therefore, advance registration is usually required. Participants should bring warm clothes, rain gear (even if the sun is out), a snack or lunch (including beverage) and wear comfortable shoes for walking short distances. Field guides and binoculars are recommended. All trips require registration with trip leader(s). For trips to Canada, participants must have a birth certificate, passport or enhanced drivers license (EDL) for border crossings. Note that trips subject to cancellation if unforeseen circumstances arise - contact the trip leader if you have questions.

Plan on joining us for a fun, educational adventure!

          Note that field trips whose dates have passed are grayed out.


Saturday, September 4
9:00 AM  

Semiahmoo Spit.  


Join us to Bird the Beaches of Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor, the only designated Important Bird Area in Whatcom County. These half-day trips, on the first Saturday of each month, are co-sponsored by NCAS and Whatcom County Parks. Semiahmoo is one of our area’s most scenic, biologically-rich, and environmentally-challenged places. We will see concentrations of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other seabirds, as well as raptors and songbirds. Meet the group at 9 AM at Semiahmoo Park. Trip leader: Paul Woodcock. No registration required.


Saturday, September 11
9:30 AM  

Bluebird Box Installation Project.  

 NCAS has been asked to assist the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), as well as volunteers from the Washington Waterfowl Association, with the installation of Western Bluebird nest boxes on WDFW and British Petroleum property at Cherry Point. This should be a worthwhile cooperative effort to attempt to bring back the Western Bluebird as a breeding bird in Whatcom County. If there is interest, we can bird the Lake Terrell area after the work is done. 9:30 AM. Trip limit: 10. Trip leader: Paul Woodcock, 380-3356.

 


Sunday, September 12
10:00 AM  

Whatcom Creek Walk.  

Back by popular demand is this unique field trip that takes place in the heart of downtown Bellingham. We meet in front of city hall, regardless of the weather – which ran the full range last season – and walk down Whatcom Creek to its mouth and return upstream and eventually back to our starting point.

The walk usually lasts a couple of hours and you’ll have the option to bail at any time. We’ll start at 10 AM sharp so plan to arrive a little before 10 to say hello and get to know your fellow walkers. Trip limit: 12. Trip leader: Joe Meche, 739-5383.

*As with the Semiahmoo Spit walks, this walk will be a monthly fixture from September through May. It’s always interesting to witness the changes in the creek and in the wildlife we see as the seasons progress. Be sure to check each month’s newsletter for specific Sundays.


Saturday, October 2
9:00 AM  

Semiahmoo Spit.  

Another edition of Birding the Beaches, similar to the September trip but every month is different. Greater numbers of wintering waterfowl will be present. Join us!

Whatcom County. These monthly trips are co-sponsored by NCAS and Whatcom County Parks and are meant for birders of all skill levels. Semiahmoo is one of our area’s most scenic, biologically rich, and environmentally challenged places. We will see shorebirds (September should be outstanding for shorebirds), waterfowl, and other seabirds as well as raptors and songbirds. 9 AM. Meeting place: Semiahmoo County Park. Trip leader: Paul Woodcock. No registration required.

 


    The following trips took place over 2 weeks ago:

Saturday, August 7
9:00 AM  

Semiahmoo Spit.  


Join us to Bird the Beaches of Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor, the only designated Important Bird Area in Whatcom County. These half-day trips, on the first Saturday of each month, are co-sponsored by NCAS and Whatcom County Parks. Semiahmoo is one of our area’s most scenic, biologically-rich, and environmentally-challenged places. We will see concentrations of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other seabirds, as well as raptors and songbirds. Meet the group at 9 AM at Semiahmoo Park. Trip leader: Paul Woodcock. No registration required.


Saturday, July 3
9:00 AM  

Semiahmoo Spit.  
Join us to Bird the Beaches of Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor, the only designated Important Bird Area in Whatcom County. These half-day trips, on the first Saturday of each month, are co-sponsored by NCAS and Whatcom County Parks. Semiahmoo is one of our area’s most scenic, biologically-rich, and environmentally-challenged places. We will see concentrations of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other seabirds, as well as raptors and songbirds. Meet the group at 9 AM at Semiahmoo Park. Trip leader: Paul Woodcock. No registration required.

Saturday, June 12
6:00 AM  

5th Annual Woodstock Farm and Chuckanut Bay Breeding Bird Survey.  
Once again, NCAS and Bellingham City Parks are co-sponsoring this dawn to midday bird count of Woodstock and its surroundings. Experience helps but if you just wish to join us for the experience, please feel free to sign up. We usually find 50-60 species in the varied habitats of Woodstock Farm and the bay. 6 AM. Trip limit: 12. Trip leader: Paul Woodcock, 380-3356.
Site Design: Rod Burton and Tom Pratum,
Photo credits: Todd Entrikin, Alan Fritzberg, Tom Pratum, Joe Meche and Cindy Meche

© 2010 North Cascades Audubon Society