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Join Jack Stephens to bird some short trails at the Willow Creek Fish Hatchery and the Wildlife Habitat & Native Plant Demonstration Garden, and a short walk uphill to a paved path for a good view of the marsh from the south and a couple of ponds. The Edmonds marsh also has level paved walkways and boardwalk. We will drive between the marsh and the hatchery/garden area to avoid walking along highway 104. Less than two miles. Playback might be used sparingly by walk leader. Bring binoculars.

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Join Alec Roseto to bird around the Union Bay Natural Area's main loop. The loop is around 1 mile of relatively flat terrain which passes deciduous groves, grassland, ponds, and a couple overlooks onto Lake Washington. This walk will focus on general birding and answering any questions you have about local species, habitats, and rarities around the state of Washington! If time permits or anyone wants to continue the walk after 930am, we can also walk around the short loop of Yesler Swamp next to the main parking lot, which would add another .5 miles. Please bring binoculars if you have them and any other tools you use to bird. Playback will not be used on this walk.

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Join Bev Bowe for a guided birding walk along the service road and paved path of Yost Park. Much of the service road is paved, and the remainder is usually hard packed. While not entirely level, the slope is short from the parking lot to the main portion of the service road. Birding from the service road allows some viewing into the mid canopy and even the top of some trees of the ravine. Yost Park provides habitat for numerous species of resident and migratory birds including Cooper’s Hawks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Pacific Wrens, and a variety of other forest birds. While there are no benches, we plan to be no further than 0.25 miles from the cars. Option to bird a little farther on a gently sloping dirt trail near the end of the service road.

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Join Bruce Bohmke for this walk in an undeveloped, forested county park located within Edmonds. The trails include a wider, relatively level path and some narrower trails that include some short elevation changes which can be muddy if it has rained. Will include crossing the street that bisects the park. “Pishing” or playback may be used by the walk leader. Total walking likely less than 1.5 miles.

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The urban forest, ponds, and wetlands of this 22-acre park provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl, wading birds, and songbirds. May include excursions to adjacent small parks. Led by Jon Houghton, this walk will focus on building essential skills for beginners. Bring binoculars if you have them. Limited loaners may be available. Easy level trails and boardwalk, may cross urban streets with crosswalks to explore two additional parks, less than two miles. Pishing or playback of vocalizations may be used sparingly to attract birds.

Location: Edmonds Library

This special Family Storytime, presented in concert with the City of Edmonds and the Puget Sound Bird Fest 2024, will celebrate the phenomenon of migration and the incredible feats many endure to keep their species alive and thriving. We'll share stories and songs and movement as we honor and learn about these beautiful and important creatures!

Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and creative activities together as a family to prepare for the wonder of reading.

After storytime, a bird-themed craft will be offered.

Location: Patio area between Frances Anderson Center and Edmonds Library.

Browse the informational booths, kid’s activities, and local artists and merchants.

Location: Edmonds Plaza Room. Registration is not required, but space is limited so please arrive early to get a seat. Doors open at 10 am.

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Over a decade ago, Greg was asked to explain why we have a hummingbird that overwinters in the PNW (Anna’s), which culminated into research and an article in BirdWatching Magazine. He has since been lecturing on the ecology of hummingbirds, both publicly and academically, and recently returned from the cloud forests of Ecuador where he photographed and observed a portion of the 132 species that live there. Green’s presentation will provide an overview of the unique ecology of this extraordinary group of birds, contrasting the PNW with Ecuador, and will tell the fascinating story of Anna’s hummingbird’s march north over the past 75 years.

Gregory A. Green is a career wildlife biologist and instructor at Western Washington University where he teaches ecology, wildlife techniques, and natural history. He is also a nature photographer and writer and recently published the book Wild Lives with Art Wolfe highlighting the state of the world’s wildlife through photography and essays.

Location: Edmonds Plaza Room. Registration is not required but space is limited.

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Healthy seabird populations are an indicator of a healthy Puget Sound. Unfortunately, many of the seabird populations in Puget Sound are imperiled and are in need of conservation action. Multiple government agencies and conservation organizations are monitoring seabird species to assess population trends. However, collecting data is only an initial step in understanding the underlying ecology of seabird declines. Here, we explore the underbelly of translating counts of birds to estimates of population trends.

Location: Room 206 in Frances Anderson Center. Registration is not required but space is limited.

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Brand new to looking at birds and unsure of your next step? Curious about birding groups but nervous about joining a field trip? Join Bev Bowe for a class meant for beginners, with lots of encouragement and great info on how to start your journey as a birdwatcher. We will cover what equipment you need vs. want, where to go to see the birds, even what to wear when outdoors (you won’t need that multi-pocket vest!). We will talk about the many field guides and birding apps. This class is geared toward new birders and we will have a question period toward the end of class if you have specific concerns. Don’t be shy – this experienced birder loves introducing people to this fun pastime! This class is followed by a morning field trip the next day (Sunday) to Yost Park so we can find some interesting birds!

Location: Edmonds Plaza Room. Registration is not required but space is limited.

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Thirty years ago, Cooper’s Hawks began colonizing urban and suburban landscapes throughout the US, developing a tolerance for living in proximity to humans. Ed Deal, from Seattle’s Urban Raptor Conservancy, will provide insights into these common but elusive raptors. The Seattle Cooper’s Hawk Project is one of several studies in large US cities (e.g., Milwaukee, Albuquerque) and an all-volunteer, community science project. Since 2012 the group has monitored the local Cooper’s Hawk population nesting density and annual nest productivity. A color-ID banding program helps us track fledgling dispersal, longevity, and adult breeding site and winter site fidelity. Study results show annual increases in nesting pairs, high nest success rates, high fledgling productivity, little evidence of migration, strong site fidelity and mostly short natal dispersal distances. In 2012 we documented 26 nesting attempts, with 22 successful nests producing 70 fledglings. In 2023 volunteers monitored 66 nesting attempts within the Seattle city limits. Fifty-five nests succeeded, producing 200 fledglings. Successful nest productivity is consistently high, averaging 3.6 fledglings per successful nest. To date we have banded 562 Coops and accumulated over 785 repeat sightings. 46% of our banded birds are re-sighted. Our population has nearly tripled in just 12 years. It will be interesting to see when they reach carrying capacity.

You would think someone born in Cooper Hospital and raised in Audubon, NJ would be a child prodigy birder. But Ed’s mid-life conversion involved taking Bud Anderson’s Hawk ID class in 1991. He went on to volunteer on Fall Migration hawk banding projects in the Goshutes Mtn, NV, Florida Keys and Cape May, NJ, in addition to Diamond Head, Chelan Ridge and Entiat Ridge in WA. He volunteered on Falcon Research Group’s entire 17- year study of nesting Peregrine Falcons in the San Juan Islands and completed his 30th year monitoring & banding nesting Peregrines in the Seattle area. For the last 12 years he has worked with a group of volunteers studying the expanding urban population of Cooper’s Hawks in Seattle. He holds a Federal Master Raptor Banding Permit. He is a graduate of the Seattle Audubon Master Birder Program and a recovering lister.

Location: Edmonds Plaza Room. Registration is not required but space is limited.

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The WDFW Waterfowl Section is responsible for monitoring of waterfowl and other migratory game birds in Washington state to inform conservation and management efforts here in Washington and across the Pacific Flyway. These marking projects are made possible by flyway-level cooperative partnerships. Examples from recent marking projects will be used to highlight the important information that can be learned through these tremendous collaborations and to illustrate some of the amazing stories of migratory connectivity demonstrated by a number of species marked in Washington.

Kyle serves as the Waterfowl Section Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, based in Olympia, and serves as a technical liaison to the Pacific Flyway Council. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he graduated from Humboldt State University (BSc & MSc) with an emphasis in wildlife management. Migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway have been fundamental to fostering his passion for waterfowl ecology, conservation, and management.

Kyle’s previous waterfowl adventures have spanned from the Canadian Arctic tundra to fishponds in Hong Kong’s Pearl River Delta, including six years as a Wildlife Biologist for the USGS-San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station and three years as Senior Waterfowl Biologist for the USFWS-Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Bethel, Alaska.

Kyle has emphasized the importance of building synergies through cooperative projects and partnerships across the Pacific and East Asian-Australasian Flyways. He has conducted monitoring and research projects related to nesting waterfowl, migration chronology, sea-level rise impacts to migratory bird habitats, and spatio-temporal dynamics of habitat use.

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Walk with Ann Pultz Kramer, awarded bird photographer, and learn some of the essential skills for the best bird photography from helpful equipment (besides your camera and lens) to various settings for different situations as well as good field practices adapted to help you attain the most unique and gorgeous images.

Ann has been a wildlife photographer for over ten years, traveling to India, Scotland, and Yellowstone as well as her reliable backyard habitat to find beautiful species to photograph. She will teach you how to attract birds and wildlife to you, both in your own backyard and places beyond and simultaneously keeping a respectful awareness of the effect we have on wildlife as photographers. Ann has been awarded over 7 times in 4 national photography contests and received Best of Shows in her camera club. Join her in a joyful birding experience immersed in the natural world and improve your skills at the same time. For all levels and all cameras.

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Centennial Trail in Snohomish County is built on the old Burlington-Northern railroad line. We’ll look and listen for the birds who live here year-round, such as Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and American Goldfinch; plus the birds who join us for the summer to raise their families, such as Warbling Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Common Yellowthroat. Neither “pishing” nor playing recordings will be used. This leisurely walk, led by Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser, will be from the Getchell Road access point to Lake Cassidy and back, which is 3.5 miles round trip. The trail is 10 feet wide and graveled, with benches along the way and no change in elevation. A porta-potty is available in the parking lot.

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Join Bev Bowe for a walk through Yost Park in Edmonds. This walk is a follow-up to the "Basics of Birding for Beginners" class where we will look for some Spring migrants, along with the usual woodpeckers, thrushes, sparrows, warblers, and other local residents. Leisurely pace with minimal hills.

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Join Jack Stephens to explore Juanita Bay Park, a little jewel of a birding spot tucked into the eastern shore of Lake Washington. With a combination of open grassland, trees, marsh, and open water, it can yield a surprising variety of birdlife. Expected sightings include Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Bald Eagle, and Osprey. With luck, we might find Virginia Rail, Swainson's Thrush, and migratory warblers. We will be walking a short distance on trails and boardwalks. Playback recordings will not be used.

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New to birding, or are you a birder who is looking for a richer more health centered birding experience? Mindful Birding highlights the overall health benefits of connecting to birds and nature. Led by Roniq Bartanen, we will slow bird and bring our awareness to bird habitat, song and behavior. Tips for identifying birds will be included. Our focus will be on a more mindful birding practice which includes observing native habitat, bird song and behavior. Any age and level of birding experience welcome! Bird novices to bird nerds will benefit from learning practices for a mindful, bird friendly life.

Union Bay Natural Area, nicknamed "The Fill" is Seattle's former garbage dump. 262 bird species have been reported at this urban birding hot spot! Let's spend time exploring this unique area rich in birds and wildlife.

Roniq’s passions include mindful, urban and accessible birding, promoting female bird guides through her ‘Female Bird Guide Resource List’ as well as writing about the culture and joy of birds and birding at www.shebirds.com. Her focus is to create a safe and welcoming space for all to enjoy the outdoors. She believes strongly in the healing power of time spent in nature.

Dress for weather. Trails are mostly flat, packed dirt and gravel and can be seasonally muddy and wet. Wear appropriate shoes. Please leave dogs at home as to not scare off our feathered friends. Please note: Restrooms and water fountain are closed on Sundays at this location. There may be a nearby port-a-potty, however, we cannot guarantee that, so please plan accordingly.

Union Bay Natural Area is accessible by Bus #65 and #31 with an 8-minute flat, paved walk to meeting spot. Link Light Rail is a 10–12-minute flat, paved walk to meeting spot or short distance to #65 bus. Several car parking lots and street parking are available. A small bike rack is available onsite near kiosk.

Located at the Edmonds Wildlife Habitat & Native Plant Demonstration Garden

95 Pine Street in Edmonds

Located at the Edmonds Wildlife Habitat & Native Plant Demonstration Garden

95 Pine Street in Edmonds

Don Norman is the owner of Go Natives! Nursery and is a Board Member of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory (PSBO).

The news is usually not good with bird monitoring. Declines are widespread. The biggest cause is loss of habitat. The good news is that habitat restoration works.

PSBO has been monitoring the restoration of the Morse Preserve in Graham, WA (s of Tacoma) for the past 28 years, since just after it was donated to Tahoma Audubon and the Cascade Lands Conservancy after being used for horse grazing. When we started our banding program, you could see the cars on the road, but now it has regrown in native shrubs and trees.

After capturing over 6000 birds of 48 species on 50 acres of Douglas Fir forest, important forest species have increased, and increased on the site, including Rufous Hummingbird, Swainson’s Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Purple Finch.

More recently, a study published in the prestigious PNAS, demonstrated that productivity of chickadees was related to the percentage of native plants, as the native plants have the bugs that baby birds require as protein. If you yard is a typical small one, you can still help the surrounding yards (as well as your own) by planting an alder or cascara, or a filbert, vine maple, or if you have space a larger tree like big-leaf maple or cottonwood.

But it is also important to stack other functions of natives for migrating birds, and for wintering birds. Our walk at the Edmonds Demo garden on Sunday will show some of these plants.

Narango, D., D. Tallamy and P. Marra. 2018. Nonnative plants reduce population growth of an insectivorous bird. PNAS.

Pre-registration required through Puget Sound Express: https://www.pugetsoundexpress.com/birdfest/

The Puget Sound Bird Fest – in collaboration with Puget Sound Express – hosts a special birdwatching cruise in early June. The cruise will run 3-6pm to get the optimal viewing of sea birds returning to their nests.

The three-hour cruise departs from the Edmonds Marina. A guide will be on board to share their knowledge about the birds and nature of Puget Sound. We will be using our newest high-speed vessel Swiftsure to travel to either Smith Island or Protection Island (depending on weather and recent sightings of birds), before returning to Edmonds. On-board we have inside seating, a snack bar and 3 restrooms available.

Note: Any change in the itinerary for weather is at the Captain’s discretion.