Background:
We started the festival in 2011 and had about 90 people come and enjoy our local birds. There are 11 species of woodpeckers here and there is a good chance to see them all … as well as lots of other cool birds. We keep things low key, fun and casual. Local birders lead the tours (at least 2 tour leaders per group) and group size is restricted to 12 to minimize disturbance. We follow ethical birding practices and minimize play backs and have strict protocols about approaching nests. The festival is focused on field trips and meeting other birders. It is inexpensive and all people will car pool (arranaged on the day of the tour). You provide your own lunch. We take you to the birding spots and we all find the birds.
The East Cascades Audubon Society runs this festival and it is totally managed by volunteers. We want to share our enthusiasm for our fantastic birds. Above all we want you to see great birds and have a fun time.
Weather:
Generally at this time of year the day time weather will be warm and sunny. Rain is very unlikely. Winds can pick up in the afternoon. Morning temperatures can be chilly as we are up in the Cascade Mountains.
Cost:
Each tour will cost $30 for a full day tour and $20 for a half day tour.
Where does the money go:
All funds collected will go to benefit the conservation and education projects at the non-profit organization, East Cascade Audubon Society in Bend, Oregon.
How to sign up for the field trips:
To guarantee spaces on the field trips please sign up prior to the day....
Download the sign up form and send it in.... the form
Cancellation Policy:
No funds will be returned if the participant cancels. However, if ECAS cancels the event, all monies will be returned.
Meeting Places:
All the Field trips based out of Sisters will meet in the Sisters Village Green. Sisters is a very small place but be aware that there are two parks. See the Google map for the location:
For the Ochocos Trip we will meet at the Powell Butte School. This is located between Redmond and Prineville on Hwy 126. It takes about 45 minutes to reach here from Sisters. The school is easy to find on the south side of the road and you will see the cars waiting there:
For the Summer Lake and Entrado Burn Trip we will meet in Bend ...Starbucks at the Cascade Shopping Village, north end of Bend. Looking at the Google map the meeting spot is just a little to the left (west)
View Larger Map
What to bring:
- Packed lunch
- Drink / water
- Bins / camera
- Hiking boots
- Layered clothes. It can be cold in the early morning and quite warm during the day
- Hat
- Sunscreen and Insect repellant. It is still early but some areas will have mosquitoes.
Saturday Evening Social:
This will be a fun and casual chance to get together and talk about the birds we have seen. Grab some local food from town (just a few blocks) and bring it back to the Village Green. At 6pm we will have tour leaders sum up their tours and share a few fun times that happened. Beer and wine is allowed. The night prowl will leave at about 7.30pm. However, the fun will continue at the Village Green all evening.
Field Trips:
We limit the number of each field trip to limit disturbance to the birds and to make for a more enjoyable experience. Two local birders will accompany you. You will bring your own lunch and drinks as we will be away from any stores or eateries.
For all trips we will car pool. We do not want to see a long convoy of vehicles spread out behind the leaders. This is specified by our Forest Service permit. Please be flexible and enjoy the companionship of your fellow birders. It is customary to offer a small token payment to share the gas expenses. Trips based out of Sisters will travel fairly short distances; however, Summer Lake and the Ochocos will involve several hundred miles.
Background:
We started the festival in 2011 and had about 90 people come and enjoy our local birds. There are 11 species of woodpeckers here and there is a good chance to see them all … as well as lots of other cool birds. We keep things low key, fun and casual. Local birders lead the tours (at least 2 tour leaders per group) and group size is restricted to 12 to minimize disturbance. We follow ethical birding practices and minimize play backs and have strict protocols about approaching nests. The festival is focused on field trips and meeting other birders. It is inexpensive and all people will car pool (arranaged on the day of the tour). You provide your own lunch. We take you to the birding spots and we all find the birds.
The East Cascades Audubon Society runs this festival and it is totally managed by volunteers. We want to share our enthusiasm for our fantastic birds. Above all we want you to see great birds and have a fun time.
Weather:
Generally at this time of year the day time weather will be warm and sunny. Rain is very unlikely. Winds can pick up in the afternoon. Morning temperatures can be chilly as we are up in the Cascade Mountains.
Cost:
Each tour will cost $30 for a full day tour and $20 for a half day tour.
Where does the money go:
All funds collected will go to benefit the conservation and education projects at the non-profit organization, East Cascade Audubon Society in Bend, Oregon.
How to sign up for the field trips:
To guarantee spaces on the field trips please sign up prior to the day....
Download the sign up form and send it in.... the form
Cancellation Policy:
No funds will be returned if the participant cancels. However, if ECAS cancels the event, all monies will be returned.
Meeting Places:
All the Field trips based out of Sisters will meet in the Sisters Village Green. Sisters is a very small place but be aware that there are two parks. See the Google map for the location:
For the Ochocos Trip we will meet at the Powell Butte School. This is located between Redmond and Prineville on Hwy 126. It takes about 45 minutes to reach here from Sisters. The school is easy to find on the south side of the road and you will see the cars waiting there:
For the Summer Lake and Entrado Burn Trip we will meet in Bend ...Starbucks at the Cascade Shopping Village, north end of Bend. Looking at the Google map the meeting spot is just a little to the left (west)
View Larger Map
What to bring:
- Packed lunch
- Drink / water
- Bins / camera
- Hiking boots
- Layered clothes. It can be cold in the early morning and quite warm during the day
- Hat
- Sunscreen and Insect repellant. It is still early but some areas will have mosquitoes.
Saturday Evening Social:
This will be a fun and casual chance to get together and talk about the birds we have seen. Grab some local food from town (just a few blocks) and bring it back to the Village Green. At 6pm we will have tour leaders sum up their tours and share a few fun times that happened. Beer and wine is allowed. The night prowl will leave at about 7.30pm. However, the fun will continue at the Village Green all evening.
Field Trips:
We limit the number of each field trip to limit disturbance to the birds and to make for a more enjoyable experience. Two local birders will accompany you. You will bring your own lunch and drinks as we will be away from any stores or eateries.
For all trips we will car pool. We do not want to see a long convoy of vehicles spread out behind the leaders. This is specified by our Forest Service permit. Please be flexible and enjoy the companionship of your fellow birders. It is customary to offer a small token payment to share the gas expenses. Trips based out of Sisters will travel fairly short distances; however, Summer Lake and the Ochocos will involve several hundred miles.