2012 Teams and Trips

Birdathon 2012 Teams

Below is a list of Half Day, Full Day, or Gonzo Trips (2 + days) offered in 2012. Registration begins on March 19th. Participate on a trip that fits your schedule and have fun while helping to support the Audubon Society of Portland!

Half Day Trips:

Whittemore’s Whatzits: Sunday, May 6, 8:00AM - 12 noon
Laura Whittemore leads her team to the newly opened 1,049-acre Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Located on the Columbia River, near the town of Washougal, Washington, this site consists of historic riverine floodplain habitat, semi-permanent wetlands, cottonwood-dominated riparian corridors, pastures, and remnant stands of Oregon white oak. Waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and passerines abound! Laura is a fantastic birder and teacher. Great for beginners or experienced birders. OUR TEAM IS FULL!

Great Big Sit: Saturday, May 19, 8:00 AM - 12 noon
The perfect Birdathon trip for beginning birders!  Birdathon veterans Dena Turner, Bonnie Deneke, and Phyllis Wolfe will be your guides as you give your legs a rest and your eyes a treat on a leisurely morning at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Bring your lawn chair, binoculars and snacks, sit back, and relax as the birds come to you in this beautiful botanical sanctuary. You'll learn to identify the 35 - 50 species that frequent this idyllic setting.

A special Birdathon team for Junior Audubon kids and their families!
Join your leaders Jeff Graham & Naomi Belov for a 3 hour birding tour of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood, Or.

Full Day Trips:

Magpies:  Two different trips - join one or both!
Slower paced, informative trips with expert leaders: Denny Graham & Mike Skinner

Wednesday, May 9, 7:00AM - 4:30PM
Denny Graham and Mike Skinner begin Day 1 looking for songbirds at Tualatin Hills Nature Park then continue on to Cooper Mountain in the afternoon. Enjoy a full day of productive birding. Discover a wide range of habitats and species! Limited to 20 participants.

Thursday, May 10,  7:00AM - 4:30PM
Mike Skinner and Denny Graham start this morning on Mt. Tabor focusing on migratory songbirds. Then, you'll proceed to Ridgefield NWR for fantastic birding the rest of the day. The team will visit both units at Ridgefield for a maximum number of species. Limited to 20 participants.

The Joy of Birding: Saturday, May 5, 5:45AM - 11:00PM
Paul Sullivan, phenomenal birder and leader of Audubon's popular "Morning Bird Song Walks," and "Birding Weekends" leads this sunrise to sunset adventure. You'll make numerous birding stops as you travel from Portland to Tillamook, then along the coast to Cape Mears. It's a full day trip, excellent for both beginners and experienced birders! Your team leader will help coordinate carpooling. Limited to 20 participants.


Lean Green Birding Machine: Saturday, May 19, 7:00AM - 8:00PM
Hop into our energy efficient cars and make our first stop at Mt. Tabor. Then we'll continue east to Celilo, Dufur, Tygh Valley, Wamic, White River Falls State Park, Grass Valley, Moro, and more! A tasty picnic lunch is provided for everyone. Bring your own water, beverage and snacks for the road. Our trip will offer stunning scenery and birds east of the Cascades. We plan to return to Portland around 8:00 PM to celebrate our count with a no-host dinner at Pastini's on SE 21^st & Division. Elk Cove Wines courtesy of Pat & Joe Campbell will be served! A minimum of $100 in pledges is needed to participate.
OUR TEAM IS FULL!

Mult Madness: Saturday, May 5, 6:00AM - 7:00PM
Wink Gross and Andy Frank will lead a new tour of great birding hotspots all right here in Multnomah County. The team begins at Vanport Wetlands, then catches the migrant fallout at Mt Tabor. We’ll go on to Larch Mountain to find pygmy-owl and grouse, and all the way to Eagle Creek for dipper, goldeneye, and Harlequin Ducks. On to Troutdale airport for Wrentit, and we’ll finish up at Sauvie Island. We should find 95 to 110 species. Limited to 10 participants.

The Bus Passerines: Saturday, May 5, 6:15 AM - 7:00 PM
Steve Engel, Audubon Adult Education Coordinator, covers the Portland Metro area by public transit and on foot. Learn to use Trimet and enjoy excellent birding right here in the city! Limited to 10 participants.

Feathers of Color: Sunday & Monday, May 27 - 28
Specifically for Birders of Color! Join this exciting two day whirlwind tour of superb bird-watching destinations. Enjoy great birding & great camaraderie! OUR TEAM IS FULL!

The Murre the Merrier: Saturday, May 12, 7:00AM - 8:00PM
Sarah Swanson and Max Smith will lead a tour of the diverse habitats of NW Oregon. The trip begins by birding Dawson Creek Corporate Park, then heads west to visit the wetlands, beaches and bays of the North Coast. We'll look for as many species as possible while moving at a leisurely pace to enjoy the birds and stunning scenery of the region. Birders of all abilities welcome! OUR TEAM IS FULL!

Red-breasted Winesuckers: Saturday, May 12, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
(open to Wildlife Care Center Volunteers only)

Join the Red-breasted Winesuckers this year as we head out for a full day of fun and birding! We'll be carpooling over to the coast in search of raptors, shorebirds, Harlequin Ducks, Puffins & more!  As usual, our trip will include a little wine tasting (we have designated drivers) and a stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for ice cream.

Raven Maniacs: Thursday, May 17, 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Steve Robertson, Education Director and Dan van den Broek, School of Birding Coordinator, lead a complete day of birding the city to the sea!  You'll visit at least a half dozen "primo birding locales" between Portland and Tillamook. Bird along the coast until dark, then enjoy a relaxing dinner and a sleepy ride home. A great trip with expert guides! Limited to 12 participants.

Soggy Bottom Birders: Saturday, May 26, 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Join Portland Audubon Education staffers Ian Abraham and Tim Donner for an exclusive trip of birding the wetlands of the Willamette Valley.  You’ll explore productive sites such as Basket Slough, Ankeny Wildlife Refuge and, of course Oaks Bottom. A waterfowl extravaganza! OUR TEAM IS FULL!

Marshall’s Murrelets: Tuesday, May 8
Join Lynn Herring, Linda Craig, and more past & present Audubon board members. Enjoy a full day of great birding from Pittock Mansion to Tillamook!

Gonzo Trips: 2+ days

Spendid Cycles and the Audubon Society of Portland staff bring you birding by bicycle. This is a two day trip with overnight camping on Sauvie Island. Limited to 20 participants.

Lager Head Shrikes: May 19 - 20 (New Team!)
Registration is open only to current enrollees or volunteers for the School of Birding.
Mark Greenfield, Dan van den Broek, Patti Newland and additional awesome birders will lead this exclusive group on a two day trip to Central Oregon. The team's focus is on quality, not quantity.
They expect to see only about 80 species...but spending plenty of time studying each one.
Limited to 15 participants.


Creepers Wallowa's Wallowing: Thursday, May 24 - Saturday, May 26
Join David Smith & Don Coggswell on this fabulous new Gonzo trip of birding in the Wallowa Mountains. By day you'll explore the prairie, foothills lake area and venture down to the Imnaha. Spend two nights in Enterprise updating your checklist at the Terminal Gravity Brew Pub! Lodging and transportation provided. A minimum of $600 in pledges is required to participate on this team. Limited to 8 participants.

Cream of the Crop: Saturday, May 12, 8:00 AM - Sunday May 13, 4:00 PM
Gary Slone, Birdathon Coordinator, leads this 2 day bird quest to the coast. Transportation, lodging in Neskowin, and Sunday breakfast are provided. Expect 100 - 120 species. A minimum of $600 in pledges is required to participate on this team. Limited to 8 participants.

Bike & Bird: Saturday & Sunday, May 19 -20 on bike and foot exploring the Banks-Vernonia State Trail and L.L. "Stub" Stewart State Park. Biking on this trip is generally flat. There's lots of birding to be done so we won't be traveling very fast. Team members are responsible for their own bikes, camping equipment, food and applicable fees for their campsite. A minimum of $60 in Birdathon pledges is required. Limited to 10 participants.

Join Mike Houck, Ron Carley and other notorious birders for the ultimate gonzo Birdathon experience.  Ron and Mike have been leading the Wild Turkeys on this annual trek for the last 18 years and have refined the art of "Gonzo Birding".  You'll be sure to have a once in a lifetime birding experience as you trek from Portland to Fort Rock, Summer Lake across the Cascades to Fern Ridge Reservoir and on to Yachats and Newport.  Transportation and lodging are provided.  A minimum of $600 in pledges is required.  Available for up to 24 participants. This trip often fills quickly!
ONE SPOT REMAINING!!