• March 13th (Saturday), 14th (Sunday), and 20th (Saturday), 9am – 11am
  Birding Course:  Advanced Birding Course
  Location:  Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Education Center.
  Instructor:  Scott Mills
  
  Feathers and Flight – The inter-relationships between flight and the anatomy, physiology, behavior, and distribution of birds.
  
  Major topics include: anatomy and physiology of birds; mechanics of flight; energy efficiency and thermo regulation. Three two-hour lectures offered by Dr. Scott Mills. Registrants should have had previous birding course work.
  
  Seats are limited. Registration is required. Cost is $25 for non-members and $20.00 for members of Audubon.
  
  Please contact Shelley Horn at shelleysmail@directv.net or Deb Nickerson at debranick@gmail.com for more information or to register for the course.

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• March 13^th, Saturday, 8:00 pm to midnight-ish
  Field Trip:  Experimental Owl Prowl, Capital Forest
  Leader: Gary Wiles
  
  This is a new experimental trip to Capital Forest in an attempt to listen for and hopefully see some owls. We expect that Saw-whet, Northern Pygmy, Barred, and Great Horned Owls are all present in the forest, but have no idea if we will be successful in locating any of them.
  
  Participants should dress in their most quiet, least “rustley” clothing, bring a flashlight, and not be too afraid of the dark, or too nervous about wandering around in Capital Forest in the dark. Be prepared to be very quiet. We will most likely be in Grays Harbor County as well as Thurston County.
  
  This trip will be limited to 8 people, in no more than 2 cars. We will meet at the Labor and Industries parking lot in Tumwater.
  
  Please call Gary Wiles at 360-943-8786 for reservations to reserve a spot.

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• April 3^rd, Saturday, 7:30 am
  Field Trip: Birding by Ear
  Leader: Jean MacGregor
  Location: McLane Nature Trail
  
  The group will meet at McLane Nature Trail parking lot at 7:30 a.m. for a two-hour stroll on the McLane Trails, practicing birding by ear, and watching for both the migrants and residents of early spring. Beginners, as well as more experienced birders, are welcome.
  Please sign up by calling the BHAS message phone at 360-352-7299.
  Limit 12.

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• April 3^rd, Saturday, 9 am – 2 pm
  Field Trip:  Skokomish Delta
  Leader: Andrew Beélik
  
  Joining members of the Skokomish Tribe, we’ll walk the boardwalk across the re-emerging salt marsh that once was the Nalley Farm. After that we’ll scan the waterfront along the spit looking for shorebirds and raptors (with luck a Peregrine) along the boardwalk, and waterfowl on the Canal.
  
  Meet at 9:00 am in the parking lot of the Lucky Dog Casino along US Hwy 101. We’ll walk about 3 miles and return to the casino by 2 pm. Limit 12 BHAS members.
  
  Sign up With Andrew, 360-426-6262, or Bethany Tropp, 360-877-5213.

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• April 10^th, Saturday, 12:00 p.m (Noon)
  Field Trip:  Mud Bay, Perry Creek, Kennedy Creek – Early shorebird arrivals
  Leader:  Scott Morrison
  
  A late afternoon high tide should give us ample opportunity to see early arrival migrating shorebirds – especially this year when everything seems early. We’ll check Perry Creek first then work our way up to Kennedy Creek and finish the day at Mud Bay.
  
  Meet at the Mud Bay Park ‘n’ Ride at 12:00 p.m. Call Scott Morrison at (360) 412-1260 if you have questions.

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• April 15^th, Thursday, 7pm - 9pm
  Monthly Program Meeting:  "Feathers are for the Bird(er)s", by Chris Maynard
     
  Feathers are the most complex covering of any creature with a backbone. But all Audubon members know that the primary purpose of feathers is to assist birders to identify birds. This month’s talk will cover other aspects of feathers. Chris Maynard will discuss feather structure, function, and above all, beauty while showing photographs that capture form, color, and patterns in single feathers divorced from the bird.
  (See the article by Chris about “Fun with Swallows and Feathers” in the March-April issue of the Echo.)

  BHAS membership meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at the Capitol Museum Coach House, 211 W. 21st Street, in Olympia. Social hour is at 7pm, with programs beginning promptly at 7:30 pm. Driving directions from Olympia: From I-5, take exit 105 following the “State Capitol/City Center route. Go straight, through the tunnel. At the light (Capitol Way) turn left (south). After 7 blocks, turn right onto 21st Street. The Museum is two blocks down on the left. The Coach House meeting room and parking are south of and behind the Museum.

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• April 18^th, Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  Field Trip:  Black Lake Meadows
  Leader: Gary Wiles
  
  Join Gary for birding at Black Lake Meadows in southwestern Olympia to look for early spring migrants, including Rufous Hummingbirds, Orange-crowned Warblers, various swallows, and others. While the typical birding is not astoundingly diverse, there is a steady stream of migrants and resident birds. Occasionally an unusual species shows up here, such as Yellow-breasted Chat. Meet at the site’s entrance on Mottman Road at 8 a.m.
  There is a limit of 12 for this trip. Call Gary at 360-943-8786 for reservations, and directions if needed. Dress for the weather.

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• April 30^th – May 2^nd
  Event:  Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
  http://www.shorebirdfestival.com/
  
  As part of this event, on Friday, April 30th, 7pm, there will be a Dessert Reception with Keynote Speaker Craig Lee:  “Bird Conservation Without Borders”
  
  We all know that shorebirds migrate and that our conservation efforts in Grays Harbor seek to secure an essential stopping point along the route. But without comparable efforts all along the Pacific Coast of the continent, these avian travelers could easily be lost – permanently. Luckily for those of us who appreciate the seasonal shorebird spectacle in Washington State, and value the survival of each species, National Audubon Society has an international program that helps unite conservation efforts throughout the Hemisphere. This presentation will illuminate the challenges that migrating shorebirds face, the places they go – as they have for millennia – and the dedicated conservationists who are working to ensure that the journey remains safe.
  
  Some Information about Craig Lee:
  Craig is the founder and director of National Audubon Society’s International Alliances Program (IAP) and a national Vice President. His program builds the effectiveness of organizations working on the conservation of birds and biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean. IAP is currently active at Important Bird Areas in seven countries. Before joining Audubon, Craig served for two decades as Vice President and Northwest (U.S.) Regional Director for the Trust for Public Land. Craig has advised the start-up and organizational development of over 40 land trusts and conservation organizations in Canada, the U.S., and Latin America. He currently serves on the Executive of the Americas Council of BirdLife International and on the boards of Bahamas National Trust and American Friends of Canadian Land Trusts.
  
  This event will be held at Central Elementary School in Hoquiam, Washington starting at 7pm. For reservations, contact 1-800-303-8498. Cost is $15.

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• May 8^th, Saturday, 3 hours
  Birdathon Walk: Olympia’s Waterfront
  Leader: Sheila McCartan
  Estimated species: 30.
  
  Children welcome!  More details soon...

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• May 16^th, Sunday, before sunrise until after sunset
  Field Trip: Thurston County - Big Day in support of BHAS Birdathon
  Leader: Matt Pike
  
  Trip leader Matt Pike will take a small group of hardy birders that don’t mind being cold, tired, wet, and hungry on an all day quest to find as many birds as possible (100+… we’ll see) within Thurston County. Likely areas visited include Skookumchuck, Mull, and Vantine roads, Boston Harbor, Nisqually NWR, Perry Creek, and Capitol Forest. Contact Matt at hoodedcrow3b@yahoo.com for more information, and start gathering your pledges soon.

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• May 29^th, Saturday, 8:30 am to late afternoon
  Field Trip: Exploring & Birding in Capitol Forest
  Leaders: Jim Pruske and Lonnie Somer
  
  Spend the day exploring Capitol Forest from sea level up to Capitol Peak at 2,700 ft. We will be searching for bird species that inhabit streams, mixed forest, and second growth forest. Dipper, Hermit Warbler, Gray Jay, Hermit Thrush, and Fox Sparrows are expected. We should also find Pygmy Owls. Mountain Quail are possible. Unique elements of the flora and fauna of the forest will be examined. Club moss and liverworts are a specialty. We will identify butterfly and other insect species as well.
  
  Meet at Mud Bay Park and Ride at 8:00 am. This trip is limited to 3 cars. Call the BHAS office at 360-352-7299 to register.

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• August 8^th, Sunday, 4:00 am to mid afternoon.
  Field Trip: Panorama Ptarmigan Trek.
  Leader:  Matt Pike
  
  Trip leader Matt Pike will guide ambitious birders to Panorama Point’s east flank in search of White-tailed Ptarmigan. Once at Paradise in Mount Rainier NP, the group will take the Golden Gate Trail to the Skyline Trail and approach Panorama Point from the east. The National Park Service describes this route as “strenuous”; it is approximately 4 miles roundtrip in length, and includes a near 2000 foot elevation gain. Matt also intends to find Gray-crowned Rosy finch.
  
  The trip will start early to beat the crowds up the hill and hopefully find ptarmigan before they are pushed away from the trails by the day’s hikers. Participants should expect a brisk climb up and near singular focus on finding ptarmigan until everyone has their fill of the snow-shod Lagopus. Once the ptarmigan is in everyone’s notebook, general alpine birding fun will ensue. Contact Matt at hoodedcrow3b@yahoo.com for more information.
  Cost: Carpool teams will share the cost of park entrance.

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• August 26^th (Thursday, 6:30 to 8:30 pm) and August 28^th (Saturday, 6:00 am to late afternoon).
  Field Trip: 2nd Annual BHAS Pelagic Experience
  Leader:  Matt Pike
  
  Matt Pike returns BHAS to the ocean with the first rate help of Westport Seabirds. Join Matt on Thursday evening for an introductory presentation on pelagic birding and Washington’s pelagic species. Then join the magnificent team from Westport Seabirds (www.westportseabirds.com) aboard the Monte Carlo on Saturday for an action packed day at sea 40 miles due west of the mouth of Gray’s Harbor. Space is limited. Contact Matt at hoodedcrow3b@yahoo.com for more information. Cost: $140 (covers cost of trip and classroom).

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• October 9^th, Saturday, 7:00 a.m until late afternoon
  Field Trip:  Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge
  Leader:  Scott Morrison
  
  Ridgefield always holds a potential for unusual bird species. We’ll begin with a walk on the trail at the Carty Unit and finish with the (mostly driving) tour of the River “S” Unit. White-breasted Nuthatch is regular and abundant waterfowl. We are likely to see good numbers of Sandhill Cranes, also. Red-shouldered Hawk has been recorded Ridgefield.
  
  Meet in the south parking lot of the Labor and Industries Building at 7:00 a.m. Trip is limited to three cars- 12 to 14 people. This is a fairly long day (~ 1.5 hours drive each way) so bring adequate food and beverage. Call Scott Morrison at (360) 412-1260 to reserve space. Please indicate whether you’re willing to drive.

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• October 16^th, Saturday, 9:00 am to early afternoon
  (Note: this date is tentative. It may be pushed forward or backward within the month of October depending on wetness of season.)
  Field Trip: Millersvania Mushroom Foray
  Leader: Jim Pruske
  
  We will learn to identify many of the more common mushroom species associated with conifer and deciduous forest. With luck, chanterelles and other edible species will be found. I plan to discuss the ecological value of fungi to the overall health of a forest. Be prepared to walk through damp undergrowth and kneeling on wet ground. Bring brownbag lunch and water. Bring a basket if you plan to take any specimens home. Plan to look for forest birds and amphibians as well.
  
  Meet at Martin Way Park & Ride at 9:00 am. This trip is limited to 5 cars. Call the BHAS office at 360-352-7299 to register.

2011

• January 2011, Thursday evening class followed by Sunday field trip.
  Birding Class: Gulls Need Love, Too.
  Leader:  Matt Pike
  
  Birding-basics instructor Matt Pike will teach a gull identification basics class geared toward beginning to sort out the treacherous montage of gull species present in western Washington each winter. Classroom instruction focuses on learning gull molt cycle and its influence on gull appearance, the differences in molt cycles between gulls that mature at different ages, and the basics of Washington’s regularly occurring gulls. The field trip location is bird dependant, but could include locations as far west as the Westport Marina, as far north as the Cedar River mouth on Lake Washington, and any number of places in between. The field trip will focus on field application of the knowledge gained in the classroom, as well as some just plain fun birding. Contact Matt at hoodedcrow3b@yahoo.com for more information. Cost: $15 to support the BHAS Education Committee.

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• February 5^th, 2011, Saturday,
  6:50 a.m. for a 7:00 departure.
  Field Trip: Samish and Skagit Flats
  Leader:  Scott Morrison
  
  WESTERN WASHINGTON RAPTOR CENTRAL is the nickname for these delta areas. It’s a locality which often produces all five falcon species which regularly occur in the state. There are also plenty of Bald Eagles in all plumages, Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Short-eared Owls, and Northern Harriers. Flocks of Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and numerous species of ducks are typical. Many rarities have been recorded in these areas, however the trip is focused on wintering raptors. The trip is limited to three vehicles -12 to 14 people. Call Scott Morrison at (360) 412-1260 to reserve a place on the trip. Please indicate your willingness to drive. Vehicles must hold a minimum of four people and we will convoy to the beginning of the field trip in Skagit County. This is a very long day with quite a bit of driving. Meet at the Hawks Prairie Home Depot parking lot near the Cutter’s Point coffee shop at 6:50 a.m. for a 7:00 departure.