Port Townsend has been a Tree City USA for nearly a quarter century. The proclamation for recognizing Arbor Day will be read at City Council on September 15, 2025. This year, the City will again hold its Adopt A Native Tree (or Shrub) at Mountain View Commons on October 4 from 11AM-1PM. Young native plants donated anonymously by Rainshadow members will be offered to anyone who shows up and is willing to add a native plant to their garden. In our climate, it is best to plant trees in the fall, and native species are necessary for our birds and other wildlife and are more resilient than exotic species in our changing climate. One way to convince people to plant native species is to offer them a young tree or shrub to start their own native habitat. This year our event will include an Uptown Tree Walk 2-4PM beginning at the City Library on Lawrence, led by Fred Weinmann and Sara Fairbank. Fred and Sara have highlighted 50 notable trees in Uptown.

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 (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.

We will have a workparty at Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park. We plan to plant ʻHummer Nettleʻ (also known as Stachys cooleyae v. chamisonnis) and build and install cages for the little native hawthorns that have been trying for years to get their heads above deer height. Other options are pulling invasives including Scotʻs broom, spurge laurel, holly and ivy or picking up trash. Scotʻs broom pullers, trash bags, trash extractors and refreshments provided. Meet on the Loop Trail near Chase Bank. The nearest parking is the Chase Bank parking lot on the corner of Hwy 20 and Kearney.

Meet at the Kah Tai Lagoon parking lot off 12th Street behind Henery Hardware at 9 AM. The walk will last about an hour and will be down the flat, wide Kah Tai Lagoon trail. This walk will be co-led by Hannah Breckel (youth leader) and Miranda Maxwell. Please bring your own binoculars. Kids of all ages are welcome, but kids under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult. No advance signup needed. Questions about the field trip, including possible weather cancellations, should be emailed to hannah.breckel12@gmail.com.

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 (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.

Meet at the Wansboro parking lot at the Fort Flagler State Park at 9:00 AM. Due to current construction of a new visitor center, we will meet at the end of the trail at the Wansboro parking lot (Wansboro Battery on the map — https://parks.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-02/Fort-Flagler-Trail-Map_0.pdf). You will need a Discover Pass. We will walk Wansboro road to the beach, followed by the nearby grasslands, then to East Searchlight Trail and the Lagoon Trail. The trail passes through coniferous forests and alder where we will learn birding by ear, which is Jackie’s specialty. Expect to walk about 2 miles and 2 hours total. Bring binoculars and water. Trip Leader Jackie Canterbury. RSVP — Text 307-763-1953.

The Puget Sound Seabird Survey is looking for birders on the Olympic Peninsula to join this established Community Science program. Volunteers are asked to conduct 7 surveys with a small team of fellow surveyors at specific coastal locations. All surveys are synchronized to take place once per month on the first Saturday, October – April. You will be provided training in the survey technique, and ideally will have good seabird identification skills. However, there are roles on the survey team for birders of all levels. Now in its 17th season, you’ll be contributing to valuable science that monitors wintering seabirds across the southern Salish Sea and informs important management decisions. With the indiscriminate dismantling of federal and state wildlife monitoring programs across the US, your involvement in this project is more important than ever. If interested, please sign up at the following link: https://form.jotform.com/t_ross/psss

We will not have workparties at Kah Tai for July and August. Please check back for our September workparty.

Enjoy a Saturday stroll through the lagoon park, observing varied waterfowl and their young at the peak of the breeding season. We’ll also scan for pre-season shorebirds with adults on the return from their Arctic breeding grounds.

Meet at the main/central parking area (near the park caretaker/RV site and restroom facilities) at Kah Tai Lagoon Park.

Expected waterfowl species may includes Canada Geese, Gadwalls, Mergansers, Mallards, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Pintails and Scaups. There should be good opportunities to view some of their recently fledged young on the water. We’ll keep watch along the mud banks for southward migrating shorebirds such as Least, Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers; Dowitchers, and Yellowlegs. Flycatchers, Sparrows and assorted Swallows will likely entertain us off the water as we stroll along the trail.

Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, and carry water and sunscreen for potentially hot July weather. Steady/heavy rain or winds cancel. Please help keep our birding community healthy and look to join a future bird walk if you have or have recently had COVID or COVID-like symptoms or illness or a similar viral exposure.

Questions — Trip leader Miranda Maxwell at mlmolympics@hotmail.com

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 (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.

Meet at 9:00 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.

Enjoy the morning on this last weekend of Spring by listening to cheerful birdsong and looking for Warblers, Waders and Waterfowl!
Meet at the main/central parking area (ie, near the park caretaker/RV site and restroom facilities) at Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park. 
Expected species may include Orange-crowned, Wilson's, Yellow and Townsend's Warblers.  Also, Canada Geese, Common Goldeneyes, Gadwalls, Mergansers, Mallards, Ruddy Ducks and Scaups. There should also be recently fledged young on the water. We will keep an eye out for Northward migrating shorebirds such as Least, Western and Spotted Sandpipers along the muddy banks...and assorted Swallows flitting high above. Flycatchers, Vireos and trailside Sparrows will likely round out the mix, as we meander our way through the lagoon.
Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, and dress appropriately for variable June weather. Steady/heavy rain or winds cancel. Please help keep our birding community healthy and look to join on a future bird walk if you have/ have recently had COVID or COVID-like symptoms/illness or a similar viral exposure.  
Questions, Trip Leader: Miranda Maxwell, mlmolympics@hotmail.com
Looking forward to birding together!

Rainshadow Bird Alliance is sponsoring workparties at the Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park. Meet on the Benedict street trail across Hwy 20 from the garden center. The nearest parking is at Chase Bank on the corner of Kearney and Hwy 20. We will be focusing on removing invasives, ie., Scotʻs broom, holly, ivy and spurge laurel and picking up garbage. Scotʻs broom pullers, garbage bags, grabbers and refreshments will be provided. For more information call 360-385-0307 or email ptrose53@gmail.com.

June birding is super fun because the migrant songbirds have arrived. Meet at the 1st parking lot on the left as you enter the Fort Flagler State Park at 9:00 AM (https://parks.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-02/Fort-Flagler-Trail-Map_0.pdf). You will need a Discover Pass for parking. We will walk the East Searchlight Trail and the Lagoon Trail. These trails pass through coniferous forests and alder where we will learn birding by ear, which is Jackie’s specialty. We will then walk Wansboro road to the beach, followed by the nearby grasslands. Expect to walk about 3 miles and 2.5 hours total. Bring binoculars and water. Trip Leader Jackie Canterbury: RSVP Text 307-763-1953.

Rainshadow Bird Alliance is sponsoring workparties at the Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park. Meet on the Benedict street trail across Hwy 20 from the garden center. The nearest parking is at Chase Bank on the corner of Kearney and Hwy 20. We will be focusing on removing invasives, ie., Scotʻs broom, holly, ivy and spurge laurel and picking up garbage. Scotʻs broom pullers, garbage bags, grabbers and refreshments will be provided. For more information call 360-385-0307 or email ptrose53@gmail.com.

Meet at 9:00 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.

A "Big Sit" is when you see how many birds you can see or hear from a given spot for a given length of time. We’ll run this like an open house and social gathering, meaning you can join or leave at any time. 

The location will be the magnificent meadow and viewpoint at Alexander's Bluff  (48.137, -122.766) (just west of the Vault Loop Trail near Memory’s Vault) at Fort Worden State Park. We'll be there from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. 

If the weather is nice, this should coincide with vulture and raptor migration, so it will double as a "hawk watch." Regardless, it should be primetime for spring migration of neotropical migrants (e.g. flycatchers, vireos, warblers, etc.). Bring a lawn chair if you want! 

Last year, thanks to perfect weather, we saw over 50 species, including Swainson’s Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, and Bullock’s Oriole. 

No RSVP necessary. Just stop by the bluff any time you want!

Steve Hampton and Ali Kasperzak  
Contact Steve at stevechampton@gmail.com for any questions.

Meet at the Canteen Parking Lot at Fort Worden. We will walk from the Canteen/Marine Science Center to the Lighthouse and then walk up past Memory’s Vault, to the overlook, and back down a different trail. This will bring in what birds we have as residents at the shore and in the forest and allow us to also see and hear the diversity of additional migratory species in April. Limit of 12 people. Contact Monica Fletcher: monicaflet@gmail.com or by phone 360-379-3136.

East Beach at low tide in spring migration can be magical. Join Steve Hampton for a visit to East Beach County Park to enjoy birds in transition – breeding plumaged grebes and Bonaparte’s Gulls, and hopefully some spring migrant shorebirds, with Whimbrel and Marbled Godwit possible. Meet at the bus stop/park-and-ride by Safeway at 1pm to arrange car-pooling. Or rendezvous at East Beach around 1:45pm. No RSVP necessary. Contact Steve for questions: stevechampton@gmail.com.

Meet at 9:00 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.

Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park workparty sponsored by our chapter will meet at the location where the bench used to be near Chase Bank. We will be removing invasive plants and picking up garbage. Meet on the Loop trail closest to Chase Bank. The closest parking is at Chase Bank on the corner of Hwy 20 and Kearney St. Scot’s Broom pullers, garbage bags, grippers, and refreshments will be provided. For questions call 360-385-0307 or email Rosemary Sikes, Rainshadow Bird Alliance Programs Chair, ptrose53@gmail.com.

Meet at the Canteen Parking Lot at Fort Worden State Park. We will walk from the Canteen/Marine Science Center to the Lighthouse and then walk up past Memory’s Vault and overlook and back down. This allows a good overview of what birds we have as residents at the shore and in the forest. Pair this walk with an identical one on April 26th to see the expanded diversity of migratory species in just a month. (We can hope!)

Limit of 12 people. Contact Monica Fletcher: monicaflet@gmail.com or by phone 360-379-3136.

Welcome in the start of the Spring season with a walk to check for seasonal waterfowl and songbirds. Expected species on the water may include Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, Gadwalls, Mergansers, Mallards, Ruddy Ducks, Wigeon, and Coots. Thrushes, Sparrows, and Finch species along with Chickadees and Kinglets may entertain us trailside.

We will watch for courtship, breeding and nesting behaviors, as well as keep an eye out for any early Spring migrants that might be passing through. Springtime birdsong will attune our ears to songbirds along our path and in the adjacent tree stands. Notes: Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one and dress appropriately for variable March weather. Steady/heavy rain or wind cancels.

Please help keep our birding community healthy and look to join a future bird walk if you have flu/flu-like or COVID/COVID-like symptoms/illness (or have had recent similar exposure). Group size limited to 10. Trip Leader: Miranda Maxwell; location: Kah Tai Lagoon, Port Townsend; meetup: main/central parking area near caretaker and restroom facility. Questions and sign-up: mlmolympics@hotmail.com. I look forward to birding together on this first weekend of Spring!

We will be weeding the native plant garden on the Discovery Road side of Salish Coast Elementary. Parking is available on Discovery Road and Grant Street. For more information, contact Rosemary Sikes at (360)-385-0307 or ptrose53@gmail.com.

Meet at 9:00 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.

The abundance of naturally-eroding “feeder” bluffs in our region attracts Pigeon Guillemots as it provides them with appropriate nesting locations - dark, protected cavities. Guillemot populations may serve as benchmarks for measuring environmental stressors when monitored in space and time.
Under the 20-year-old Salish Sea Guillemot Network, monitoring Pigeon Guillemots in East Jefferson County began in 2021. Hundreds of volunteers monitored several Salish Sea regions with more than 1600 guillemots.

Please join us when Dr. Brenda Johnson, Regional Coordinator of the East Jefferson Pigeon Guillemot Surveys, presents results from the network, with the hope that this monitoring increases public awareness of coastal bluff processes to foster stewardship.

The public is welcome. Port Townsend Community Center at Tyler & Lawrence, Uptown.

Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park workparty sponsored by our chapter will meet at the location where the bench used to be near Chase Bank (bench was starting to fall apart so the City removed it and will replace it with a new bench). We will be picking up trash and pulling invasives. Please join us! For more information, contact Rosemary Sikes at (360)-385-0307 or ptrose53@gmail.com.

Meet at 9:00 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.

Meet at 10 AM at North Beach County Park. From there we’ll scope for seabirds (bring a scope if you have one). Then we’ll walk to Chinese Garden and through the neighborhood a bit, finishing by noon. Beginners welcome. Hellacious weather will cancel. No RVSP necessary. Questions to Steve Hampton at stevechampton@gmail.com.

Welcome in the start of the New Year with a winter walk at Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park to check for seasonal waterfowl with trip leader Miranda Maxwell and co-leader Betty Renkor. Meet at the main/central parking area near the caretaker and restroom facility. Expected species may include Wigeons, Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, Gadwalls, Mergansers, Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teals, Mallards, Ruddy Ducks and Scaups. We also may see geese and the possible swan flyover/stopover. Too, we’ll be sure to keep an eye and ear open for wintering songbirds along our path and in the adjacent trees stands. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, and dress warmly/appropriately for January weather. Steady/heavy rain (snow) or winds cancel. Please help keep our birding community healthy and look to join us on a future bird walk if you have COVID or COVID-like symptoms/illness or have had similar exposure. Group size limited to 10. Questions and sign-up: betty.renkor@gmail.com. We look forward to birding together in this first month of the New Year!