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Birding Day: Mount St. Helens – Silver Lake: Sunset, Birds and Ecology with Gina Roberti

This is a drive-yourself afternoon trip to Seaquest State Park on the way to Mount St. Helens, which is approximately a one-hour, twenty-minute drive from Portland. Note: This class is a great introductory class for birding and not designed for advanced birders. We will take a holistic view on ecology, human history, and geology. We will interact with and discuss all of the landscape features that support habitat for birds.

What makes Mount St. Helens unique for birdwatching? Volcanoes create disturbances in the landscape and this in turn creates a mosaic of habitat type that affords a high diversity of birds. Join naturalist Gina Roberti for an exploration of the pocket of old growth forest and volcanic history of Silver Lake at the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center and Seaquest State Park. Learn how volcanoes shape the landscape and how we, as people, can be more informed of volcanic hazards.

  • The field trip will take place at the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center at Seaquest State Park and will include hiking along forest trails in Seaquest State Park and along the ¾  mile ADA-accessible boardwalk trail. At the time of the field trip, the Visitors Center may be closed, but groups are welcome to come earlier and explore the visitors center, exhibits, and ranger presentations.
  • There is very little cell phone reception at the meeting location after leaving the I-5 highway corridor. Please plan in advance.
  • Please dress in layers and bring water and snacks.
  • Parking fees: A Washington State Parks Discover Pass is required for parking. These can be purchased at the visitors center (if open) and/or in advance online.

Background Information on Mount St. Helens

On May 18, 1980, a cataclysmic event occurred at Mount St. Helens as the north flank of the volcano slid off in one of the largest landslides in recorded history, unleashing a powerful eruption. This eruption buried 230 square miles of existing old-growth forest with hundreds of feet of volcanic debris. In some places closest to the crater of the volcano, almost no living organisms survived. Ash from the eruption blew across the United States and megatons of logs and volcanic debris clogged up rivers, lakes, and streams. The eruption dramatically reshaped the landscape, creating a mosaic of habitat types that are now home to a diverse suite of birds. 

In 1982, the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was designated to protect the land closest to the volcano as a place for research, recreation, and education. Today, home to more than 80 species of nesting birds, the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument offers unique birding opportunities.

Accessibility

Location: Mount St. Helens Visitors Center at Seaquest State Park and hiking trails at Seaquest State Park
Distance: Total walking distance of up to 2 miles on flat graded gravel trail & boardwalk trail.
Elevation changes: Total elevation change of less than 50 feet. The ½ mile boardwalk trail is flat and graded. Possibility that the group may walk across the street to the forested trails of Seaquest State Park (dependent on time and weather). These trails are flat, graded and have minimal elevation change
Trail tread & average width: We will be walking on trails that are packed gravel, pavement, boardwalk and packed dirt. The boardwalk trail is wide enough for two people to walk side by side and is ADA accessible. Trails in the forest at Seaquest State Park are uneven but do not have substantial elevation change.
Pacing: The field trip will include hiking along forested trails (up to 1.5 miles) at Seaquest State Park and a ¾ mile ADA accessible boardwalk trail at the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center.
Rest stops: There are several benches along the boardwalk trail. Participants are welcome to drive between the Visitors Center and the trails at Seaquest State Park. Picnic tables are available throughout the park.
Sun exposure: The boardwalk trail is ~30% under the shade cover of trees. Depending on the season and the dominant tree type in the forest, it may be more sunny or shady. The forest trails are 100% in the shade.
Amenities: Indoor restrooms with running water are available while the Visitors Center is open. There are also bathrooms available in the campground at Seaquest State Park, across the street from the Visitors Center and boardwalk trail.
Public transit: Public transportation is NOT available for this field trip. Participants are encouraged to carpool. There is a park-and-ride at the Information Center in Castle Rock, Washington, which has free wifi and is a great place to leave vehicles for a day.

Birding at Mt. St Helens!

Join naturalist Gina Roberti on an ecology and birding tour of Silver Lake at the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center at Seaquest State Park.

Learn More

Birding Day Details

  • Date: April 26, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Class fee: $65 members / $85 non-members
  • This class is a great introductory class for birding and is not designed for advanced birders. We will take a holistic view of ecology, human history, and geology. We will interact with and discuss all of the landscape features that support habitat for birds.

Details

Date:
April 26
Time:
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Event Categories:
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Venue

OR United States
Website:
https://birdallianceoregon.org/venue/3749/

Venue

OR United States
Website:
https://birdallianceoregon.org/venue/3749/

Organizer

Tara Lemezis
Email:
tlemezis@birdallianceoregon.org