Not every birdwatching experience has to feel like work. For those looking to learn about wildlife in a more relaxed setting, the Bird Alliance of Oregon is offering free laidback summer adventures.
The nonprofit organization provides binoculars for participants, making it easy for everyone to join in, even those without their own.
The summer events include leisurely walks that last for hours, yet cover less than a mile, allowing ample time for stops along the way.
There are opportunities for individuals interested in identifying backyard birds, understanding the native plants that sustain them, or assisting threatened shorebirds.
Those interested can register for events at birdallianceoregon.org, where the philosophy centers on enjoying nature while learning about wildlife alongside like-minded individuals.
Tailored to attract participants of all ages, abilities, and interests, these beginner-friendly programs will feature informative bird chats but steering clear of quizzes.
The start times cater to both early risers and night owls, and all locations are conveniently situated near public transit.
The Bird Alliance emphasizes community connection and engagement.
Tara Lemezis from the education and engagement team of the Bird Alliance of Oregon invites everyone to simply bring their curiosity. She explains that all outings are designed to provide a mindful way to experience nature without imposing any pressure.
From dragonfly explorations to botanical drawing, a plethora of events is scheduled to take place from June through August across various locations—from urban Portland to the scenic coast, and even the expansive eastern Oregon outback, which includes the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Klamath Basin.
Participation is limited, as group sizes are kept small and advance registration is mandatory. While some events are already fully booked, waitlists are available for popular outings including June 20’s summer solstice mindful evening birding.
Here is a look at the exciting lineup for the 5th Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Days of Summer events:
In June, on Friday, June 13, participants can join a bird walk in Lincoln City at Hostetler Park and Devil’s Lake.
Led by members of the Seven Capes Bird Alliance, this small group will gather from 9 to 11 a.m. in hopes of spotting Swainson’s thrush, sparrows, and various waterfowl.
The very next day, Saturday, June 14, offers a bird walk on Newport’s Ona Beach and Beaver Creek State Natural Area.
Again, from 9 to 11 a.m., participants can see nesting warblers and swallows as well as resident wading birds and songbirds, all guided by the Seven Capes Bird Alliance.
Also on Saturday, June 14, there will be an opportunity for birding by canoe at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge’s Discovery Marsh.
From 8 a.m. to noon, the Bird Alliance of Oregon provides not only guides but also canoes, allowing participants to observe a large nesting population of tricolored blackbirds after a one-mile hike to the canoe launch.
On Sunday, June 15, those who enjoy cycling can bring their mountain bike for a birding experience starting at Sandy Ridge outside Mount Hood Village.
This event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., taking a beginner to intermediate trail where Karly Chin, the Bird Alliance’s activist coordinator, encourages attendees to move slowly while enjoying the wildflowers.
June continues on Wednesday, June 18, with a wander around Wapato Access Greenway from 9 to 11:30 a.m. This easy, 2.5-mile hike will showcase the marshy habitat, riparian forest, and open fields of Northwest Portland’s Sauvie Island.
Additionally, on June 18, another event takes place at Portland’s Forest Park from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. There, attendees can search for white-breasted nuthatches, red-breasted sapsuckers, western tanagers, and other bird species, with the added benefit of a recent city decision protecting the park from extensive tree removal.
On Thursday, June 19, participants can enjoy birding in the evening on the Juneteenth holiday at Leach Botanical Gardens in Southeast Portland from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The nonprofit social group People of Color Outdoors (POCO) will be co-hosting this event.
Then, on Saturday, June 21, attendees can jump into the monthly Third Saturday bird walk from 8 to 11 a.m. led by the Lane County Audubon Society on Fern Ridge’s flat trails.
Also, on June 21, there’s a birding and nature walk organized by Outdoor Afro Portland running from 10 a.m. to noon at the 635-acre Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, where over 150 bird species are typically sighted each year.
Following that, the Lane County Audubon Society will host a discussion on where to spot birds in the area from noon to 1 p.m. at the Eugene Public Library.
Moving forward to Thursday, June 26, an accessible outing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. will cater to individuals who identify as disabled, chronically ill, or neurodivergent, along with their family, friends, or caregivers.
Traveling less than a mile on mostly wide graveled trails, participants will have the chance to observe swallows and swifts at Whitaker Ponds, with guidance from birders with disabilities.
On Friday, June 27, participants can enjoy the beauty of low tides while scouting for tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, and common murres around Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach from 7:30 to 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 28, promises a festive experience with a PRIDE bird walk at Spring Lake Open Space from 9 to 11 a.m.
Organized by the Seven Capes Bird Alliance and Lincoln City PrideFest, the group will search for winter sparrows and songbirds before heading to PrideFest at noon till 5 p.m.
Additionally, on June 28, there will be children’s storytime and activities with “Families of a Feather” author Fern Wexler from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Bird Alliance of Oregon Visitor Center in Portland.
Finally, on June 29, there’s a snowy plover interpretive walk at Fort Stevens State Park’s Clatsop Spit on the Columbia River in Hammond, happening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
July brings more exciting activities, such as on Wednesday, July 9, when dusk birding will allow participants to listen for early-summer birds during a 2.5-mile hike at Powell Butte Nature Park from 7 to 10 p.m.
A different event on the same day includes a talk about birds and plants from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Leach Botanical Gardens, providing special after-hours access.
The following Saturday, July 12, offers a birding walk at the River View Cemetery from 10 a.m. to noon through this Victorian-era garden filled with Oregon history and wildlife.
On Tuesday, July 15, attendees can join a mix of bird chats and beverages from 6 to 8:30 p.m., featuring a short trip (less than a mile) along the Columbia Slough watershed leading to Level Beer Brewing in Northeast Portland.
The weekend continues with a classic Cascadia hike and birding outing on Friday, July 18, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frog Lake Sno-park-trailhead, where participants can seek out birds, pikas, and other mammals along a section of the Pacific Crest Trail in Mount Hood National Forest.
Birding by canoe returns on Saturday, July 19, from 8 a.m. to noon at Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge’s Crystal Creek, where provided canoes will allow the group to explore forest and marsh birds as well as enjoy views of the Cascade and Klamath Siskiyou mountains.
On Sunday, July 20, attendees can participate in a beach-side interpretive walk at the Sitka Sedge Natural Area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about the history, conservation challenges, and habitat of the threatened snowy plover.
Later in the month, on Saturday, July 26, novices and seasoned artists alike can join an outdoor drawing session at Jackson Bottom Wetlands in Hillsboro from 10 a.m. to noon.
On the same day, there will be kids’ storytime, crafts, and a photo scavenger hunt starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Bird Alliance of Oregon Sanctuary Nature Store near Forest Park in Northwest Portland.
On to August, the first event is on Saturday, August 2, where participants will be led by Bird Alliance guide Chris Williams in a birding and nature walk organized by Outdoor Afro Portland at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge from 10 a.m. to noon.
This area, located in Southeast Portland’s Sellwood, features wetlands and woodlands that host more than 200 bird species, alongside local wildlife such as deer, beaver, otters, and raccoons.
On Sunday, August 3, learn about dragonflies during an introduction held at Koll Center Wetlands Park in Beaverton from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This area is known for its diverse populations of dragonflies and damselflies, with over 90 species known to inhabit Oregon, including many within the Portland Metro area.
Following that, on Tuesday, August 5, another snowy plover interpretive walk will occur from 2 to 4 p.m. at Seaside’s Necanicum Inlet, a historic nesting site for this threatened shorebird.
Saturday, August 9, will offer a session focusing on drawing native plants from 10 a.m. to noon at Mount Tabor’s Southeast Park Drive, welcoming anyone regardless of drawing or plant identification experience.
On Saturday, August 16, a poetry workshop combined with birding will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at Kelley Point Park in North Portland.
The following week, on Monday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 19, a nighttime session will focus on demystifying bats, recognizing their role as pollinators, with events from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Whitaker Ponds in Northeast Portland. There are 14 species of bats found throughout Oregon.
Closing out the exciting summer programming, on Thursday, August 21, participants will have a chance to search for various moths from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Bird Alliance of Oregon sanctuary.
Finally, on Friday, August 22, there will be a unique event celebrating dark skies and nocturnal creatures, occurring from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge’s Sod House Ranch. This experience will feature bat and badger watching, as well as star viewing with Amy Bielbisi of Oregon Star Safari.
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