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The Yakima Valley Audubon Society meets on the fourth Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, August, September, and October at 7 pm at the Yakima Area Arboretum, located at 1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima, WA.

Upcoming 2010 Field Trips

January 30 (Saturday): Buchanan Lake Waterfowl Night Roost

We will walk along the new Zirkle Path at the concert pond, past the marsh, past Buchanan Lake, into the Yakima Area Arboretum, visit the Sparrow Patch location and then double back to Buchanan Lake to check for Common Goldeneye, Bufflead, Hooded Mergansers, and other waterfowl using the lake as a night roost. We will meet at 3:00 pm Sarg Hubbard Park . Park in the LOWER parking lot BELOW the grassy knoll with the kiddie playground. Trip will be 2 hours, until 5:00 pm . Contact Richard Repp 965-1134 or email: rich712@aol.com

 

February 12 (Friday): Popoff Trail Great Backyard Bird Count intro

To help encourage people to become involved in the GBBC, YVAS will host a bird walk to introduce GBBC newcomers to the ease of count. Everyone is welcome! Meet 8:00 am at Greenway parking lot at the east end of Valley Mall Blvd. Trip will end at 11:00 am . Contact Richard Repp 965-1134 or email: rich712@aol.com

 

February 12-15: Great Backyard Bird Count

Birding on your own! For more details, see January Crier for details. For more info, contact Richard Repp 965-1134 or email: rich712@aol.com

 

February 13 (Saturday): Suntides Robin Spectacle

For at least the past four years, tens of thousands of American Robins have flocked to the Suntides area in the early evening for a massive night roost in conifers. Join wildlife biologist and expert birder Scott Downes as he tallies the Robin total for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Bring family and friends to marvel as tens of thousands of distant tiny specks morph into that lovable orange globe, the Robin. Everyone who has ever paused to watch one of these worm wonkers in action needs experience this spectacle at least once. Meet 4:30 pm at the intersection of the Old Naches Highway and Galloway Road . Stay 15 minutes or as long as you wish. For more information, contact Richard Repp 965-1134 or email: rich712@aol.com

 

February 13-15: President’s Weekend to the Wetside

Yakima Audubon heads to the North Olympic Peninsula over President’s Weekend. Leave very early Saturday morning, spending two nights in Sequim, returning Monday evening. The North Olympic Peninsula is one of the top areas for winter birding in Washington . Proving this, Sequim-Dungeness count has the highest Christmas Bird Count total in the state (140-150 species!). The reason for this is the many habitats plus the areas mild climate. We will hit many of the habitats. Here’s a sampler: coastal bay and estuaries, tidal rips, mixed and conifer woods, pastures and fields, ocean, rivers, and rocky shores. Expect close to 100 species including three species of loons, four grebes, 25+ waterfowl, a good mix of raptors and shorebirds, three alcids, a bewildering array of gulls, plus an interesting mix of forest birds, all in a dramatic setting. There will be two nights at a Sequim motel. This will include continental breakfasts.  There will be two evenings in local restaurants. Plan for picnic lunches. Sign up by February 1 so timely accommodation reservations can be made. Contact Andy or Ellen Stepniewski 877-6639 or e-mail steppie@nwinfo.net

Planned 2010 Field Trips

Please call the leader before the trip to let him/her know you are interested in going. That way, if plans need to be changed, he/she can call you. Also, if no one calls, the leader will know to cancel the field trip and won't be sitting around at the meeting place all alone! Be sure to wear clothing appropriate for the weather and take lunch, snacks and beverages. With high gas prices it is important for all participants to contribute for gas. Based on four people in a car, here are the totals per
person: 100 miles driven on the trip — $5.00 each; 150 miles — $8.00 each, 200 miles — $10.00 each; 250 miles — $13.00 each;
300 miles — $16.00each. Please pay your share; if drivers have to pay most of the gas bill, they may quit driving.

Due to the increase in numbers of field trip participants, it is very important to contact the trip leader a few days before the trip to let him or her know you will be attending. The driving route of some trips may not have suitable parking for a long line of cars, so the leader may decide to limit the number of participants. So please phone early to assure your spot on the field trip.