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FIELD TRIPS 2008-2009

 

 

New Participants Wanted:  

Beginning bird watchers are welcome to join us on our field trips.  Required: An interest in birds, a love of the outdoors and binoculars, if you have them. Our group is composed of friendly people with varied birding skills who will serve as your guides for the day.

 

 

PLEASE REGISTERWatch the website or newsletter for updates to our  field trip schedule.  Participants should contact the trip leader at least 24 hours in advance of the field trip to find out if the meeting place/time or destination has been changed. 

 

POLICY: SHARE THE  COST OF GAS WITH THE DRIVERS

 Now that the field trip season is in full swing again, it might be timely to review the compensation plan that has been agreed upon by the Board for drivers of vehicles.  Each car receives the same amount of money, assuming that each carries at least one passenger that is not a family member and completes the entire trip.  If a husband and wife choose to drive only themselves, they do not receive a share of the costs.  The reimbursement rate is 25 cents per mile.  It is the trip leader's responsibility to calculate costs at the end of the trip and notify riders of how much they owe the driver.

 

As an example, two cars made the recent trip to the Turnbull Refuge, a husband and wife and one passenger in each car.  The round trip was 110 miles (X 2 cars X .25/mile = $55).  $55 / 6 passengers = $9.17/ passenger goes into the pool for division equally among the cars.  In this case, this is what each of the two riders owe their respective drivers.  Let's be fair to drivers and make sure they are compensated for their time and vehicle use. 

 

MAY-JUNE ACTIVITES/FIELD TRIPS

 

BIRD FESTIVAL AT WEST VALLEY OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER

On the grounds of: Pasadena Park Elementary School

8706 E. Upriver Drive  Spokane, WA  99212

(509) 340-1028  www.wvolc.org

 

On Saturday, 2 May, the Learning Center will be hosting a bird festival.  It will be an open house type format – FREE – that features different activities throughout the day to educate the public about birds and their habitats.  Turnbull NWR and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture will be partnering with the Center to offer activities to youth and families.  There will be live raptor shows, tips on bird watching techniques, American Indian bird legends, bird house and bird feeder construction, touch tables, etc.  The event will take place from 11 AM to 4 PM and is related to the broader International Migratory Bird Day event.

 

 

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROJECT

 

Time again for some spring cleaning along the two mile stretch of Highway 95 that our chapter of Audubon has adopted. We meet at the Mica Grange and work our way down the backside of the hill going south.  Our first trip out was in the fall of 2003 and every spring and fall we return to do some
badly needed tidying up.  The date this spring is Saturday, May 9 (Migratory Bird Day). Meet at the Grange for the ritual fueling up with donuts and juice at 8:00 a.m. Planabout 1-2 hours. Long pants, long sleeves, and water are advisable. Come out and enjoy a pretty  spring morning and see if this is the time that one of us finds a treasure out there.


For more info call Judy Waring at 765-5378.

 

MICA BAY SURVEY

 

DATE:  May 12, Tuesday 

TIME: 8:00 a.m.

AND:  June  9 , July 14 and Aug. 11 at 7:00 a.m.

MEET: Fairmont Loop and Highway 95
LEADER:  Shirley Sturts,  664-5318

ACTIVITY:  We spend about 2-3 hours once a month counting birds at Mica Bay.  Everybody is welcome including   beginner birders.   We will help you with identification skills.

 

Phillips Farm and Steptoe Butte

 

DATE:  May 16, Saturday
TIME: 7:45 a.m.

MEET: K-mart Parking Lot- parking south side
LEADER: Janet Callen  664-1085 

ACTIVITY:  This will be a full-day trip so bring a lunch.  Phillips Farm is a Latah County Park with some hiking trails.  Steptoe Butte is a Washington State Park. We’ll visit Phillips Farm first, then journey to Steptoe Butte.  Visit them at: www.phillipsfarm.org

and www.parks.wa.gov    Click on park information and then Steptoe Butte State Park.

 

 

 

Worley and conkling park

 

DATE:  May 30, Saturday
TIME: 8:00 a.m.

MEET: K-mart Parking Lot- parking lot behind Mexican restaurant
LEADER: Kris Buchler 664-4739
ACTIVITY:  This is a a half day trip but bring a snack and water. We will look for Rock Wren and Canyon Wren as well as other returning spring migrants such as warblers, flycatchers and nesting sapsuckers. 

 

CENTURY COUNT, JUNE 5-6, 2009

 

SELKIRK HOUSE – Your Base Camp to Outdoor Adventure!

Date: June 6, Saturday, dawn to dusk.

Accommodations: Selkirk House, Friday - Saturday nights June 5-6.

Three bedrooms, Sunroom, 2 baths (sleeps 6-8)

Camper okay. 

ACTIVITY:  Our annual Century Count will explore Boundary County this year.  We hope to cover some new territory.  Selkirk House has been offered free of charge but we will require a donation to cover housekeeping.  Please reserve early.  Bed spaces  require   full participation in the count.  The sun porch can sleep any number in sleeping bags.

Final details regarding food and meals will be decided later.  Fun and games are guaranteed!!!

Contact Kris Buchler: 664-4739 or eagleroost@roadrunner.com. 

We have 7 signed up so far and would like to have more join us.  Birders of all skill levels are welcome.

 

 

BIRDING TRIP TO THE SCOTCHMAN PEAKS AREA:

27 JUNE 2009

Guided by Jonathan Isacoff

 

                                                           Ed Buchler

 

I’m sure you remember the wonderful program given by Phil Hough and Jon Isacoff in January on the Scotchman Peaks proposed wilderness area.  Jon has graciously consented to lead an all day field trip for us to the surrounding areas.  It will be limited to 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.  Details are given below.

This trip will explore the region in and adjacent to the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Area (for more info., see www.scotchmanpeaks.org <http://www.scotchmanpeaks.org/> ).  We will begin birding at the Pack River Delta to target waterfowl and possible lingering shorebirds.  We will then proceed to the Clark Fork Log Jam and enjoy the gorgeous views while searching for waterfowl.  We next head up to Lightning Creek Road, where we will park and hike the road for 2-3 miles, targeting Harlequin Duck, Kingfisher, Dipper, and riparian Passerines.  Our final stop will be a large clear cut adjacent to the Scotchman Peak Trailhead (namesake of the proposed WA) where we will hike the meadows and forest edge for about 1-2 miles.  Target species here include: Ruffed Grouse, Vaux's Swift, Pileated Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Hammond's Flycatchers, Clark's Nutcracker, Hermit, Swainson's, and Varied Thrushes, Pine Siskin, Cassin's Finch, and Evening Grosbeak.  Other hoped-for possibilities include: Red-eyed Vireo, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Northern Waterthrush, and Pine Grosbeak. Limited to 12 participants. Contact Ed or Kris Buchler at 664-4739 or eagleroost@roadrunner.com if you would like to go.  They will maintain a time-stamped wait list if more than 12 wish to participate.

 

 

 

3 Beginning Birders birding trips this summer

10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

Leader: Lynn Sheridan (Lynn suggests you call her in case there is a change in the time)  Home: 765-2603, as late as you like. Work:  Mon, Wed, Fri  10-2:30 or leave a message:  665-7546  (North Idaho Dermatology)

June 11, Thursday:  Honeysuckle Beach:  meet at the parking lot,  and scout the lake, then walk along the dike road.  I'll try to bring extra binoculars and bird guides for each outing.

July 9, Thursday: Blackwell Island.  Meet at Fairmont Loop, then walk back along hwy, to entrance.

 August 13, Thursday:  Cougar Bay.  Meet at Fairmont Loop, and car pool to Cougar Bay  (not much parking there).  We'll walk up the trail, see the interpretive signs  (if they are still there!!)

Keep checking for updates

 

 

To volunteer to lead a trip, or to suggest places to go,

call or email  Roland Craft,  457-8894 rolcra@roadrunner.com

 

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