Registration for field trips opens at 7:00 AM on May 1, 2026.
Cost
We want our field trips to be accessible to all, so field trips are pay-what-you-can. There is no mandatory registration fee, but donations are greatly appreciated if you’re able to help support the festival and Pilchuck Audubon’s conservation work throughout the year.
What to Bring
Participants should bring their own binoculars if they have them. Loaners may be available, but please let us know ahead of time if would like to borrow a pair.
Snacks and water for yourself
Appropriate clothing - June can bring warmth and sunshine or cool, rainy days. Please plan your layers accordingly (don’t forget a raincoat!).
No Dogs
Please leave your furry friends at home to ensure a quality birding experience for all.
Skill Level
Birders of all levels of ability are welcome! Most trips are great for beginning birders, as our experienced birders love to teach and share their passion and knowledge with newcomers. Experienced birders will also enjoy the bird life and camaraderie of the trips.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
*indicates preregistration required
7:00-9:30 AM - Meadowdale Beach Watershed Guided Walk for Beginning or Accomplished Birders*
The impressive forest, estuary, wetlands, and Puget Sound shoreline of this 108-acre park provide habitat for a variety of birds, including forest songbirds, woodpeckers, and waterfowl. Led by Jon Houghton, this walk will focus on finding forest migrants that frequent the maturing second growth forest while building essential skills for beginners. Bring binoculars if you have them - limited loaners may be available.
This is a challenging hike. The trail is a little over a mile each way and is steep in places with about 500 vertical feet down and up; sturdy shoes are recommended. Pishing or playback of vocalizations may be used sparingly to attract birds. We should be back at the trailhead about 9:30am.
Limited to 10 participants.
7:30-9:30 AM - Edmonds Marsh, Willow Creek Guided Walk*
Join Jack Stephens to bird some short trails at the Willow Creek Fish Hatchery and the Wildlife Habitat & Native Plant Demonstration Garden, and a short walk uphill to a paved path for a good view of the marsh from the south and a couple of ponds. The Edmonds marsh also has level paved walkways and boardwalk. We will drive between the marsh and the hatchery/garden area to avoid walking along highway 104. Less than two miles. Playback might be used sparingly by walk leader. Bring binoculars.
Limited to 10 participants.
7:30-9:30 AM - Edmonds Waterfront Guided Walk*
Join Lisa Weber and Charlene Freeman to explore the scenic Edmonds waterfront. The summer shoreline offers exciting opportunities to spot unique species like the Marbled Murrelet or Rhinoceros Auklet. In addition, Edmonds should have quite a few Heermann’s gulls around the breakwater, freshly arrived from Mexico after their breeding season. One of North America's most easily identified gulls, this is a great time and place to see them in the US.
This easy walk is primarily on paved paths and the Edmonds fishing pier, with minimal/optional walking on sand. Meet at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station at the base of the fishing pier (a few steps from where W. Dayton Street turns into Admiral Way). Google Maps can direct you to the Olympic Beach Visitor Station. Parking is available at the free lot off W. Dayton Street.
Ages 8 and up. Bring binoculars if you have them, we may have some you can borrow if notified ahead of time.
Limited to 10 participants.
7:30-9:30 AM - Scriber Creek Watershed Guided Walk for Beginning Birders*
The urban forest and wetlands of this 22-acre park provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl, wading birds and songbirds. May include excursions to adjacent small parks. Led by Jeff and Eileen Hambleton, this walk will focus on building essential skills for beginners. Bring binoculars if you have them. (We won’t have any loaners available this year). Easy level trails and boardwalk, may cross urban streets with crosswalks to explore two additional parks, less than two miles. No “pishing” or playback of vocalizations will be used to attract birds.
Limited to 10 participants.
8:00-10:00 AM - Southwest County Park Guided Walk*
Join Bruce Bohmke for this walk in an undeveloped, forested county park located within Edmonds. The trails include a wider, relatively level path and some narrower trails that include some short elevation changes which can be muddy if it has rained. Will include crossing the street that bisects the park. “Pishing” or playback may be used by the walk leader. Total walking likely less than 1.5 miles.
Limited to 6 participants.
7:30-9:30 AM - Union Bay Natural Area, Main Loop Guided Walk*
Join Alec Roseto to bird around the Union Bay Natural Area's main loop. The loop is around 1 mile of relatively flat terrain which passes deciduous groves, grassland, ponds, and a couple overlooks onto Lake Washington. This walk will focus on general birding and answering any questions you have about local species, habitats, and rarities around the state of Washington! If time permits or anyone wants to continue the walk after 930am, we can also walk around the short loop of Yesler Swamp next to the main parking lot, which would add another .5 miles. Please bring binoculars if you have them and any other tools you use to bird. Playback will not be used on this walk.
Limited to 10 participants.
8:00-10:00 AM - Accessible-ish Yost Park Guided Walk*
Join Bev Bowe for a guided birding walk along the service road and paved path of Yost Park. Much of the service road is paved, and the remainder is usually hard packed. While not entirely level, the slope is short from the parking lot to the main portion of the service road. Birding from the service road allows some viewing into the mid canopy and even the top of some trees of the ravine. Yost Park provides habitat for numerous species of resident and migratory birds including Cooper’s Hawks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Pacific Wrens, and a variety of other forest birds. While there are no benches, we plan to be no further than 0.25 miles from the cars. Option to bird a little farther on a gently sloping dirt trail near the end of the service road.
Limited to 10 participants.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
*indicates preregistration required
8:00-11:00 AM - Juanita Bay Park Guided Walk*
Join Jack Stephens to explore Juanita Bay Park, a little jewel of a birding spot tucked into the eastern shore of Lake Washington. With a combination of open grassland, trees, marsh, and open water, it can yield a surprising variety of birdlife. Expected sightings include Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Bald Eagle, and Osprey. With luck, we might find Virginia Rail, Swainson's Thrush, and migratory warblers. We will be walking a short distance on trails and boardwalks. Playback recordings will not be used.
Limited to 10 participants.
8:30-11:00 AM - Mindful Birding at Union Bay Natural Area*
No doubt our world is fast paced and ever changing, but we can learn to slow down and tap into the natural world that is home to all of us. One way is through the practice of mindful birding. Mindful Birding increases overall wellness by deeply and intentionally connecting us to our surroundings, inspiring us to settle our mind and body for quiet observation in nature.
Led by Roniq Bartanen, this slow birding experience will bring awareness and attention to bird habitat, song and behavior. Tips for identifying birds will also be included but will not be the primary focus. All ages and levels of birding experience are welcome! Her focus is to create a safe and welcoming space for all to enjoy the outdoors. She believes strongly in the healing power of time spent in nature.
Union Bay Natural Area, nicknamed "The Fill" is Seattle's former garbage dump. Currently over 260 bird species have been reported at this urban birding hot spot! We will spend time exploring and learning about this unique and special home for wildlife.
Roniq’s passions include mindful, urban and accessible birding, promoting female bird guides through her ‘Female Bird Guide Resource List’ as well as writing about the culture and joy of birds and birding at www.shebirds.com.
Trails are mostly flat with packed dirt and gravel. This area is seasonally muddy and wet so dress for weather and wear appropriate shoes. Leave dogs at home as to not scare wildlife. Feel free to bring snacks and beverages to ensure your comfort. Please note: Restrooms and water fountain are closed on Sundays at this location. There may be a nearby port-a-potty, however, we cannot guarantee that, so please plan accordingly.
Union Bay Natural Area is accessible by bus with an 8-minute flat, paved path walk to meeting spot. Link Light Rail (train) is also an option. For Link Light Rail take train to University of Washington Station, then walk 10–12-minutes on flat paved/ packed dirt trail through the natural area to our meeting spot or short distance to #65 bus.
A large parking lot can be found near Yesler Swamp and the Center for Urban Horticulture building at the east end of Union Bay Natural Area. Street parking is also an option. Do not leave valuables in your car. A small bike rack is on-site as well.
Limited to 9 participants.
TBD - Carkeek Park Guided Walk*
More info coming soon.
Limited to 10 participants.
TBD - Edmonds Waterfront Guided Walk*
More info coming soon.
Limited to 10 participants.
7:00-10:00 AM - Centennial Trail Guided Walk for Birding by Ear*
Centennial Trail in Snohomish County is built on the old Burlington-Northern railroad line. We’ll look and listen for the birds who live here year-round, such as Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and American Goldfinch; plus the birds who join us for the summer to raise their families, such as Warbling Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Common Yellowthroat. Neither “pishing” nor playing recordings will be used. This leisurely walk, led by Peter Gurney, will be from the Getchell Road access point to Lake Cassidy and back, which is 3.5 miles round trip. The trail is 10 feet wide and graveled, with benches along the way and no change in elevation. A porta-potty is available in the parking lot.
Limited to 10 participants.
8:00-10:00 AM - Osprey Park Guided Walk for Beginning Birders*
Join Jeff and Eileen Hambleton for a morning bird walk along the Sultan River. We’ll look for American Dippers and Spotted Sandpipers in addition to recently arrived neotropical migrants. All are welcome; we will emphasize birding basics, binocular skills and resources for beginning birders. This will be a leisurely walk of 1-2 miles on level dirt and gravel trails. Restrooms, trails and bridges are all accessible. Meeting location and details available after registration.
Limited to 10 participants.