Basic Birding Ellensburg

Popular Spring Basic Birding Open for Registration!

Spring 2025 April 19th

8:30-11:30 Saturday
(site close to Ellensburg TBA)

A New & Different Way to Bird!

This is not just a “Bird Walk” It is a holistic way to teach birding. By slowing down, engaging the senses and noticing what birds are eating, where the are living & what interactions they are having with other animals. It is a unique and special way to get connected with the birds and the natural world. We hope to share “identification tools” for you to apply in the field when you are on your own or with others.

Binoculars are recommended but not required. These small classes will be geared towards adults (contact me if you want to attend with your birding teenager). Max 8 participants. Refunds will be given as credit unless I can fill the spot, most people just donate the funds.

Instructors -
Kevin O’Malley - a trained naturalist and birder has been leading adult and family courses in nature over a decade from Alaska to the Baja Peninsula. Noticing people needed a different way to learn by giving them academic and sensory tools to be a better birder. That just identifying a bird was not a easy as experts make it seem. Slowing down and being patient with new & experienced birders and sharing our extensive knowledge of bird tracks, feathers, and nest with the expert birders makes us all lifetime learners! Kevin is particularly skillful in guiding families and adults to have experiences that connect them to the nature that surrounds them and to inspire questions with answers to be found on another day in the woods. 

Eileen Lambert - will also be instructing! Eileen has been leading nature based programming since her time at Central Washington University . She later served as Kittitas Environmental Education Network’s Outreach Coordinator, facilitating field trips around Kittitas County with local Wildlife Biology, also partnering with Kittitas Audubon and Natural Science experts. She founded and runs Des Moines Birders, co-hosting Birding by Ear, Spring and Fall Migration outings, has led bird walks for Bird Fest and Nature Fest’s in partnership with King County based non profits Environmental Science Center and Rainier Audubon Society. She completed a Naturalist Immersion program through Raven's Roots, centering on field based education and practicum and her favorite courses have included Bird Language, Feather Study, Osteology (skulls) and a Raptor course.

Get Hooked on Birding!

"Next time you hear a woodpecker drumming or discover an owl pellet you will be able to narrow it down to a few species.  My guess is you will want to go back outside and find more clues that solve natures mysteries!" ~ Kevin

"Kevin is a wonderful guide, he easily engages with children and adults, and shares his vast knowledge of the outdoors. He brings the joy and wonder of nature to all of his events." Amanda Leon Eastside Audubon Executive Director

"Kevin's birding classes are designed not only for beginning birders, but are well suited to all skill levels. You will learn something new!" Barbara Petersen Rainier Audubon Society Board Member

“Our excellent guides, Kevin and Barbara knew enough to wait, and soon we would see that most of the places are teeming with birdlife.   Between the two of them, our guides knew a ton about bird customs, flight, and calls and both were nimble with a scope, locking in unforgettable close-ups that allowed us to see avian colors in detail. This was a great trip, highly recommended for a taste of the exotic, not very far from home.” Joan Larcom Participant