Birding Canyon Hill Cemetery

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 go birding at Canyon Hill Cemetery, a peaceful refuge for a variety of bird species throughout the year. The cemetery has scenic overlooks of the Boise River and farming fields that often have ducks, turkeys, and geese. We'll be walking along paved but single lane roads, as well as unpaved paths along the canyon rim, and the grass between headstones as we search for fall birds including kinglets, chickadees, crossbills, Brown Creepers, Cedar Waxwings, and other songbirds. We may get lucky and spot one of the cemeteries fall specialties like Mountain Chickadees, Red Crossbills, or Merlins. If we are lucky, we might find a roosting Northern Saw-whet Owl!

Recently reported species can be seen here: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L279330

Birding Skill Level: All levels are welcome! Please bring your own binoculars.

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: 8:30am - 10:30am. Check-in is at 8:20am. Please arrive at check-in so we can start on time.

: We will meet at the intersection of Illinois and Savannah Street in the vacant lot on the northwest corner. (Click on "Meeting Place" to get directions from your location.)

What to Bring: Layers for weather, closed-toe shoes, binoculars, a scope if you have one, water, and snacks as needed. You may want to bring hand warmers if it's chilly. Don't forget your camera, memory card and/or batteries! A scope will be available for the group to share. No dogs please.

Restroom Availability: The on-site restroom is located near the Cemetery entrance. An alternative restroom location is the Maverick Station located at the I-84 exit to Illinois Ave.

Accessibility: This trip may be accessible for those that are comfortable with traveling on un-paved and uneven trails. Most of the cemetery has single-lane paved roads but the pavement is uneven. At times we may walk in the grass to view certain birds and look over the north and east rims. There may be seasonal limitations on birding by ear. 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. Use the special needs question in the registration form to let us know more about your accessibility needs and how we can best support your participation.

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.

Special Conditions: Paths may be slippery and/or icy depending on recent weather. Anyone with young children on this trip should be extra vigilant near the north and east rims. The terrain is nearly vertical there and there are no guardrails or other restraints.

Contact Information: Please text trip leader Louisa at 971-322-7040 with any questions.

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!

Red-breasted Nuthatch photo by Pat McGrane

Field trip leader Louisa Evers