Birding Field Trip Classes

Ridgefield NWR Field Trip Open for Registration!

Feb 1st & 2nd 2025

(two different classes 9:00 - 1:00 but you can sign up for both)

Sandhill Cranes & Winter Birds Field Class

Pack your winter hat and a warm drink!

The Ridgefield Field Class will meet near the refuge on Saturday morning. Experiencing birds in different habitat is an important tool to being a better birder. At Ridgefield we will see a variety of habitats. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) consists of approximately 5300 acres - a lush mixture of wetlands, grasslands, riparian corridors, and forests. This variety of habitats, combined with a mild and rainy winter climate, make for an ideal environment for bird species including song birds, raptors, wintering waterfowl, and other local species. Please dress warm during the day we will get out of our cars and walk on easy trails to experience birds in their habitat.

The cost will be $55 per person and will include 4 hour (Richfield) or 4 hour birding explorations on our Skagit Valley Raptors Filed Class. We will take a total of 8 participants. Refunds will be given as credit unless I can fill the spot, most people just donate the funds. Teenage children (and those 10 years and up that are really into Birding) can attend with an adult.

Kevin O’Malley lead naturalist and birder at South Sound Nature School will be instructing the field class for beginners & intermediate birders wanting to further their knowledge about birding. Class will focus on bird language, behavior, nests & bird tracks & habitats. Birding is a fascinating recreational activity and you will learn to talk about what you are hearing & seeing. Ridgefield has wetland, oak forest and river habitats which leads to a great bird diversity.

Binoculars are recommended but not required. These small classes with two instructors will be geared towards adults. You can pay in check or cash but you must register and can email me at omalley23@gmail.com.

Barbara Petersen’s Bio- Barbara is a retired teacher who taught for thirty years in Highline School District's Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, where she enjoyed working with students from preschool through high school as well as their parents. Barbara is an avid birder who regularly leads Field Trips for Rainier Audubon Society, the South Sound's chapter. Always striving to increase her knowledge about birds, she also participates in field trips led by other birders whenever she can, and helps with a monthly bird census for the City of Kent at the Green River Natural Resources Area. After retiring from teaching Barbara worked for eight years as a sales associate at Burien's Wild Birds Unlimited store. She still leads the monthly Bird Walks offered year around by the store. She has birded in several US states and in the Peruvian Amazon, Costa Rica, Ecuador, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Brazil.

Birders Tip - Some of our trips can be a longer drive we suggest that you find a place to stay close by the birding area and enjoy the area for an extra day. The areas we choose are very nice for both nature and culture. When we can commute together more easily that will also be an added benefit of car pooling.

All Classes will be taught by Barbara & 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