We will be removing invasives (i.e., Scot’s broom, spurge laurel, holly and ivy) and picking up trash. Scot’s Broom pullers, garbage bags and garbage grippers and refreshments will be provided. Look for the white pickup near the bench along the main trail between the bridge and Kearney St. The nearest parking is at Chase Bank on the corner of Hwy 20 and Kearney St. For more information email ptrose53@gmail.com or call 360-385-0307

Meet at the Park and Ride near Safeway, NOT the Kah Tai Park parking lot. We will spend time looking at waterfowl. I will have a couple of scopes. We will note what we hear in the shrubbery and trees there and then move up Kearney Street to skirt the bird-rich shrubby areas areas above the golf course, eventually following the path near Quimper Village, and come back pretty much the same route to our cars.  Who knows what one might see! This is a two plus hour walk based on interest and interestingness. Bad bird weather (high winds/real rain) cancels.  Limit of 12 people. Contact Monica Fletcher: by phone 360-379-3136 monicaflet@gmail.com.

Meet at 9 AM at the parking area straight down the dirt road just beyond the meadows. Discover Pass required for parking.You must contact leader Beverly McNeil to register: bevybirds53@gmail.com. The group size is limited to 5. If the weather is bad we may cancel. Bring binoculars and water, if desired. Distance is 1.5 miles and time of outing is usually 3 to 4 hours. We normally go around the whole lake on Trail B, Anderson Lake State Park (https://parks.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/anderson_lake_state_park_overview_map_pdf_1.5mb.pdf). Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing for changeable weather. Please avoid wearing bright clothing.

Gull School is back! Steve Hampton will lead a Gull Identification workshop at Point Hudson. There will be a low outgoing tide this afternoon. Hopefully, the weather and gulls will cooperate and line up on the spit. If not, there will be other birds. Bring a wind shell and good gloves, and a scope if you have one. RSVP to stevechampton@gmail.com (cap at 15 people).

There will be a workparty at Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park sponsored by Admiralty Audubon Society. We will be removing invasives (i.e., Scot’s broom, spurge laurel, holly and ivy) and picking up trash. Scot’s Broom pullers, garbage bags and garbage grippers and refreshments will be provided. Look for the white pickup southeast of the little pond. The nearest parking is off 12th street behind Henery Hardware in the Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park parking lot. For more information email ptrose53@gmail.com or call 360-385-0307

Barry McKenzie will teach this free course for novice birders at Port Townsend Community Center at Tyler & Lawrence in Uptown.

The course is designed to provide beginners the background to grow as a birder. Two 1-hour evening classes February 20 and February 22, 2024, will cover: 
A) Tools – binoculars, gear, field guides, on-line resources and 
B) How to go about identifying birds.

A 3-hr field trip on Saturday, Feb 24 will put the new skills to use.

Contact Barry at:   barrymckenzie52@icloud.com.

Meet at 9 AM at the parking area straight down the dirt road just beyond the meadows. Discover Pass required for parking.You must contact leader Beverly McNeil to register: bevybirds53@gmail.com. The group size is limited to 5. If the weather is bad we may cancel. Bring binoculars and water, if desired. Distance is 1.5 miles and time of outing is usually 3 to 4 hours. We normally go around the whole lake on Trail B, Anderson Lake State Park. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing for changeable weather. Please avoid wearing bright clothing.

(or: Barry and Steve’s Excellent Adventure...)
AAS members Barry McKenzie and Steve Hampton traveled to South Georgia and Antarctica in October 2023. In this talk, they will describe their adventure, share images and videos, as well as discuss Avian Influenza that has now arrived in the extreme southern latitudes. They’ll share practical insights for those that would like to make a similar trip someday (and who wouldn’t?).

All welcome: Tyler & Lawrence in Uptown

Come bird the beautiful beach strip from the Parade Grounds to the Lighthouse. We will meet at the Commons Parking lot in Fort Worden. We will walk from there to the Marine Science Center’s pier, and then veer into the campground area and out to Point Wilson and back.This walk will focus on local winter seabirds and resident denizens. Bad bird weather (high winds/real rain) cancels. Limit of 10 people. Contact Monica Fletcher:  monicaflet@gmail.com or by phone 360-379-3136.

Look for the white pickup truck east of the little pond. Park at the Kah Tai parking lot across 12th St from Henery Hardware. We hope to pull invasives (i.e., Scot’s broom, Spurge Laurel, holly, ivy), or pick up garbage if you prefer. Bring work gloves and a bucket for garbage if you have them. We will provide garbage grabbers, garbage sacks, extra buckets, Scot’s broom pullers, and refreshments.
Contact ptrose53@gmail.com or 360-385-0307 for more information about either workparty.

Steve Hampton will lead a Gull Identification workshop at Point Hudson. There will be a remarkably low outgoing tide this afternoon (for winter). Hopefully, the weather and gulls will cooperate and line up on the spit. If not, there will be other birds. Bring a wind shell and good gloves, and a scope if you have one. RSVP to stevechampton@gmail.com (in case we have to cancel due to really bad weather).

Meet at 9 AM at the parking area straight down the dirt road just beyond the meadows. Discover Pass required for parking.You must contact leader Beverly McNeil to register: bevybirds53@gmail.com. The group size is limited to 5. If the weather is bad we may cancel. Bring binoculars and water, if desired. Distance is 1.5 miles and time of outing is usually 3 to 4 hours. We normally go around the whole lake on Trail B, Anderson Lake State Park. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing for changeable weather. Please avoid wearing bright clothing.

Steve Hampton will lead a Gull Identification workshop at Point Hudson. There will be a remarkably low outgoing tide this afternoon (for winter). Hopefully, the weather and gulls will cooperate and line up on the spit. If not, there will be other birds. Bring a wind shell and good gloves, and a scope if you have one. RSVP to stevechampton@gmail.com (in case we have to cancel due to really bad weather). (Note - Steve will repeat this trip on February 3.)

Meet at Oak Bay County Park. Take Oak Bay Road east, look for the orange sign on the left to Jefferson County Parks. Turn left on Portage Way (follow the arrow to the left) and go to the lower campground. (Map https://jeffersoncountywa.myrec.com/forms/6268_lower_oak_bay_map_6.21.2023.pdf ) There we will scan Oak Bay and wetlands for ducks, geese, oystercatchers and other wintering seabirds as well as walk the adjacent road searching for resident birds such as kinglets, chickadees, and woodpeckers. Expect to walk about 2 miles. Bring a scope if you have one, as we’ll use them for scanning Oak Bay. Bring binoculars, water, warm clothing, and be prepared for rain. Trip Leader will go no matter what the weather. Sign up with Trip Leader Jackie Canterbury by text to 307-763-1953.

Look for the white pickup truck near the Chase Bank bench. Park at the Chase Bank parking lot on the corner of Kearney and HWY 20. We hope to plant some native plants or pull invasives (i.e., Scot’s broom, spurge laurel, holly, ivy), or pick up garbage if you prefer. Bring a shovel, work gloves and a bucket for dirt if you have them. We will provide extra shovels, buckets, garbage grabbers, garbage sacks, Scot’s broom pullers, and refreshments.

(if weather is survivable)
Come bird in the wintry elements of the open area of beach near the Fort Flagler Campground. Bring a scope if you have one, and binoculars and lots of warm clothing. Real rain cancels. Please meet at 9 AM near the concessions building. Hopefully we will see sandpipers, plover, turnstone, Long-tailed Duck, grebe, crows and a Snow Bunting (highly unlikely, kind of kidding).  Limit of 12 people. Please contact Monica Fletcher:  monicaflet@gmail.com or by phone 360-379-3136.

Join us for our Eighth New Year’s Day’s bird walk at Irondale Beach-Chimacum Creek Park. Meet at 10 AM at 562 Moore Road parking lot. Enjoy a couple of hours scoping the bay for seabirds, shorebirds, and forest birds. Dress in warm layers with hats and gloves for comfort. Bring binoculars and spotting scope to help identify the waterfowl. Limited to 10 birders. Please contact Paula Vanderheul at 360-774-2479 cell/text to sign up.

Meet at the Park and Ride Lot near Safeway.  We will spend a leisurely amount of time scoping out our winter ducks and seeing what else might be foraging in this diverse habitat. If there is time we will stroll over to the Boat Haven and walk along the very rich shrubbery of the Larry Scott Trail. Limit of twelve people. Contact Monica Fletcher:  monicaflet@gmail.com or by phone 360-379-3136. Real rain cancels.

Please join us for the Port Townsend Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on Saturday, December 16. Our circle encompasses the Quimper Peninsula all the way down south of Egg and I Road, Marrowstone Island, parts of Discovery Bay, all of Port Townsend Bay, and portions of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The habitats range from residential areas to forest, grasslands, lakes, coastlines, and open water. We average about 115 species. 
We are looking for experienced birders and beginners. If interested, please contact the count compiler at stevechampton@gmail.com (after November 12).

Wednesday,  December 13, 2023, 9 AM - 12 PM
Meet at the North Beach parking lot. We will start our wintry day scanning the sea waters for seabirds, gulls and Harlequin, then approach the lagoon on foot.  We will check out the winter residents (ducks, seabirds and wintering warblers), especially those that love the area near the warm and misty sewage treatment plant. Then we will explore this remarkably birdy neighborhood until we return to the cars. Limit of twelve people. Contact Monica Fletcher: monicaflet@gmail.com or by phone 360-379-3136. Real rain cancels.

Meet at the Fort Flagler Interpretive Trail at 9 AM. Follow the main road into the park. At the stop sign, turn left. Parking is on the right and next to G1 – Wagon Wheel camp. You will need a Discover Pass to park at Fort Flagler State Park, which is surrounded on three sides by water and has forests representative of the PNW. We will walk the Interpretive Trail and the Calwell Trail. Expect to walk about 2 miles and 2 hours total. The Interpretive Trail passes through forest where we will listen for our local birds, which is Jackie’s specialty, and discuss the importance of these remaining forests to so many species. Our morning will end on the Calwell Trail, which intersects the Bluff Trail where we will search for wintering seabirds. Bring binoculars, water, warm clothing, and be prepared for rain, though the rainforest provides shelter. Trip Leader Jackie Canterbury: RSVP via text at 307-763-1953.

Sunday, December 3, 2023, 9AM - noon 
Look for the white pickup truck on the Benedict Street trail across Hwy 20 from Port Towsend Garden Center. Park either at the Chase Bank parking lot on the corner of Kearney St and Hwy 20 or the Kah Tai parking lot across 12th St from Henery Hardware. We hope to pull invasives (i.e., Scot’s broom, Spurge Laurel, holly, ivy), or pick up garbage if you prefer. Bring work gloves and a bucket for garbage if you have them. We will provide extra buckets, Scot’s broom pullers, garbage grabbers and garbage sacks. Ron might make some cookies. Rosemary will bring hot tea and Laura Bars.
Contact ptrose53@gmail.com or 360-385-0307 for more information about any of the workparties.

Park along Discovery Rd or Grant St where parking is allowed. We will be pulling weeds in the native plant garden on the Discovery Rd entrance to the school. Bring your favorite weeding tool, work gloves and a bucket for the weeds if you have one. We will bring extra buckets and shovels for those that need them.

Contact ptrose53@gmail.com or 360-385-0307 for more information about any of the workparties.

Meet at 9 AM at the parking area straight down the dirt road just beyond the meadows. Discover Pass required for parking.You must contact leader Beverly McNeil to register: bevybirds53@gmail.com. The group size is limited to 5. If the weather is bad we may cancel. Bring binoculars and water, if desired. Distance is 1.5 miles and time of outing is usually 3 to 4 hours. We normally go around the whole lake on Trail B, Anderson Lake State Park. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing for changeable weather. Please avoid wearing bright clothing.

Look for the white pickup truck near the Chase Bank bench. Park at the Chase Bank parking lot on the corner of Kearney and HWY 20. We hope to plant around 30 native plants or pull invasives (i.e., Scot’s broom, spurge laurel, holly, ivy), or pick up garbage if you prefer. Bring a shovel, work gloves and a bucket for dirt if you have them. We will provide extra shovels, buckets, Scot’s broom pullers, garbage grabbers and garbage sacks. If we are lucky Ron will make some homemade cookies. Rosemary will bring hot tea and Laura Bars.

Contact ptrose53@gmail.com or 360-385-0307 for more information about any of the workparties.

Don’t forget to set clocks to standard time!

Meet at 9 AM at the parking area straight down the dirt road just beyond the meadows. Discover Pass required for parking.You must contact leader Beverly McNeil to register: bevybirds53@gmail.com. The group size is limited to 5. If the weather is bad we may cancel. Bring binoculars and water, if desired. Distance is 1.5 miles and time of outing is usually 3 to 4 hours. We normally go around the whole lake on Trail B, Anderson Lake State Park. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing for changeable weather. Please avoid wearing bright clothing.

Port Townsend Community Center
Tyler & Lawrence

John and Donna Van Ackeren traveled in Guyana for four weeks and visited eight lodges. Besides presenting many of the wonderful birds, they would like to share several other experiences including a visit to Kaiteur Falls, a canopy walkway at Atta Lodge, searching for the Goliath Spider, observing a Black Caiman capture for a research project, as well as spotting Giant Anteaters and Golden Rocket Frogs. They have a variety of slides not only showing birds and a couple of unique bird calls, but also wildflowers, insects, reptiles, accommodations and landscapes. 

Meet at the bench closest to Chase Bank parking lot at the corner of Kearney and Hwy 20. We will be pulling invasives (Scot’s broom, spurge laurel, ivy, holly) and picking up garbage. If we get enough rain for the soil to be moist, we will be planting natives in October.

Meet at the bench closest to Chase Bank parking lot at the corner of Kearney and Hwy 20. We will be pulling invasives (Scot’s broom, spurge laurel, ivy, holly) and picking up garbage. If we get enough rain for the soil to be moist, we will be planting natives in October.

Meet at 8:30 AM at the parking area straight down the dirt road just beyond the meadows. Discover Pass required for parking.You must contact leader Beverly McNeil to register: bevybirds53@gmail.com. The group size is limited to 5. If the weather is bad we may cancel. Bring binoculars and water, if desired. Distance is 1.5 miles and time of outing is usually 3 to 4 hours. We normally go around the whole lake on Trail B, Anderson Lake State Park. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing for changeable weather. Please avoid wearing bright clothing.