Birding at Intermountain Observatory's Lucky Peak Banding Station
About this Event
Registration is required to attend this event, as space is limited. Individuals on the waitlist will be contacted with instructions if a spot becomes available. Only those who have completed Eventbrite registration and received a confirmation email may attend, including attendees needed for accessibility assistance.
Join Golden Eagle Audubon as we visit the Intermountain Bird Observatory's Lucky Peak research station to see flycatchers and other songbirds up close during IBO's fall migration banding project, and learn about their research.
We will meet at the Colombia Marketplace on Federal Way before caravanning to the Lucky Peak research area. Cars will park approximately .20 miles below the songbird research station, and we will hike the remainder of the way along a packed dirt road. You may find this more comfortable with hiking poles or a walking stick. If the brief but steep hike from the parking area to the songbird research station does not meet your accessibility needs, arrangements can be made with IBO to drive a single vehicle directly there to drop you off.
Once at the songbird research station, you can set up your camp chair and observe the bird banding process. Your Field Trip Leaders and IBO researchers will walk you through the data collection process and explain the signifiance of the Lucky Peak research project, which has been monitoring birds for over 30 years. Watch as researchers safely band, measure, and release migrating songbirds, and enjoy an up-close look at birds that most people only see through binoculars. Participants may also have the opportunity to assist with a bird release, with a researcher gently placing a bird in your hand before it takes flight. You are welcome to relax at the station while learning about the research or periodically accompany researchers on "net runs" as they extract birds from the mist nets.
Participants will also have the opportunity to hike to the "hawk watch" near the radio tower where our hawk watchers will be counting raptors as they fly overhead. The raptor trapping blind is located on the hill below hawk watch. If they capture a raptor, the ornithologists will bring it up to hawk watch for you to see up-close before it is released.
Lucky Peak also offers fantastic opportunities for hiking and birding, and participants are welcome to explore the surrounding area as long as they meet everyone back at the songbird research station by 1:00pm.
Important: Insect repellent poses a serious danger to the birds being banded. If you wish to participate in releasing a bird, your hands must be completely free of insect repellent residue. There is no running water at the station to wash it off.
Recently reported species can be seen here: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1529298
Accessibility: Please contact the Field Trip Leader directly, and as soon as possible with your accessibility needs and how we can best support your participation. This event may be accessible for those who are blind, low vision, hearing impaired, and/or those with limited mobility. Please note that Field Trip Leaders will help with bird identification and questions, but are not able to provide one-on-one physical aid or navigational assistance (including sighted guiding) on our trips. Participants are always welcome to arrange any assistance they may need in the field! Please ensure that any assistant is registered to attend this event.
Birding Skill Level: All levels are welcome! Binoculars will be available to borrow if needed.
Age: Participants younger than 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and participants younger than 18 must have a parent/guardian sign the liability release.
Time: 8:00am - 2:00pm. Check-in is at 7:50a. Please arrive at check-in, as we will leave promptly at 8:00am and there is not enough parking at the station for late arrivals to take their own vehicle.
: 6658 S Federal Way, ID 83716 - The Columbia Marketplace. We meet at the South end of the parking lot near the Stinker Station to organize carpools and then caravan to Lucky Peak. (Click on "Meeting Place" to get directions from your location.)
This trip is limited to 4 cars, and carpooling is required. Drivers must have vehicles with AWD, properly maintained tires with sufficient tread, and relatively high clearance, and must be confident, capable licensed drivers comfortable with the road conditions and terrain. This is a rough, one lane, dirt and gravel road with few pull offs and many steep sections. Drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are properly insured and in safe operating condition.
Passengers are expected to contribute toward gas as a courtesy to drivers.
What to Bring: Layers for weather, sun protection, closed-toe shoes, binoculars, a camping chair, water, lunch, snacks as needed, and anything else you need to be comfortable on a longer trip. Treats for the banding crew are always appreciated – they love fresh snacks, eggs, or backyard garden veggies! Perishables that don't last in their coolers are a big hit since they don't go to town often. No dogs please.
Special Conditions: The banding station is in a forested area where ticks are present. Long pants, sleeves, and hats are recommended to reduce exposure. Please note this is a remote research station without access to water.
Restroom Availability: A portable restroom will be available at the banding station.
Inclement Weather: If there is an unhealthy AQI, steady precipitation forecast, or the trails are not suitable for ethical passage, the trip may be cancelled.
Contact Information: Please email trip leader Jim at [email protected] with any questions, or your accessibility needs.
Cancellation Policy: If your plans change, please cancel your ticket on Eventbrite or contact the field trip leader listed above. Participants who miss two trips without advance notice may be suspended from registering for three months. Donations made during registration are non-refundable. Thanks for your understanding!
Clarks Nutcracker photo by Dondi Black
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 23.18
