Birds, Bikes, and Wildlife Surprises: A Field Trip to Remember with Coeur d’Alene Audubon
Submitted by Attendee and Member Lisa Clark
If you’ve ever wanted to blend your love of nature with a little fresh air and pedal power, the Bird and Bike field trip hosted by Pam and Ron Gomes might just be your new favorite way to spend a Saturday morning.
This month’s Chain Lakes event was a resounding success—fun, active, and full of the kinds of wildlife sightings that make your heart skip a beat (or at least hit the brakes and grab the binoculars). Our route took us along the scenic lakeside Medimont trail where two wheels proved to be the perfect pace for birdwatching and community-building. If you’re looking to get outside, meet like-minded people, and learn something wild, this is the kind of event made just for you.
What We Saw (Hint: It Was Awesome)
We tallied over 27 bird species on the trip, from bold Ospreys to flocks of swallows performing aerial acrobatics. One of the biggest highlights? Setting up spotting scopes to get a clear view of grebes nesting on floating platforms in the middle of the lake. Watching these waterbirds tend to their hidden homes was a powerful reminder of the magic that lives just beyond the shoreline.
But the excitement didn’t stop with the birds.
Surprise Guests: Moose, Beaver, and Turtles—Oh My!
Just when we thought the trip couldn’t get better, Ron whispered, “Moose!” Sure enough, a young moose ambled along the bike path walking towards us, unfazed by our group’s excited whispers. Moments later, we spotted a beaver cruising through a quiet inlet, its slick brown back slicing through the still water. And sunning themselves on logs nearby? A whole crew of turtles basking like little solar panels.
Why Bird and Bike?
Because this isn’t just a birdwatching club. The Bird and Bike outing captures what Coeur d’Alene Audubon is becoming: dynamic, inclusive, and alive to the rhythms of our region’s wild places. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious beginner with a pair of hiking shoes and a thirst for discovery, this is your invitation to plug into a community that’s passionate, welcoming, and refreshingly unplugged.
Next Time: Join Us!
Want to know when the next ride is happening? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@CDAAudubon) or visit our website at cdaaudubon.org. Events like these are popping up all season—and we’d love to see your helmeted head and binoculars next time.
Let your inner adventurer fly. Saddle up, ride out, and discover the wild side of birding with Coeur d’Alene Audubon. 🦉🚴♀️🦆
Species List
27 Species | 228 individuals
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Ruddy Duck
California Quail
hummingbird (species unknown)
American Coot
Killdeer
Western Grebe (several pairs on/ near floating nests observed with spotting scope)
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
American White Pelican
Osprey
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird
Steller's Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Gray Catbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Song Sparrow