Skagit Valley Bird Blitz
June 4 - 6, 2010
CANCELLED
2010 is the inaugural year for the Skagit Valley Bird Blitz --- a new birding event that seeks to draw birders to this spectacular provincial park. Early June is a great time to visit the Skagit --- the birds are singing and nesting; the famous wild Pacific Rhododendron are in glorious bloom; and the infamous Skagit mosquitoes have not yet achieved their full blood-sucking majesty!
The Skagit offers novice and expert birders a beautiful mountain setting and a classic “U-shaped” glaciated valley bottom that is traversed by a widely-meandering river. Healthy waterfowl populations are found here --- including harlequin ducks --- and lush riparian forests are alive with song birds. There are also dry forests of Ponderosa Pine and open meadows where birds of prey can hunt. And because the Skagit Valley spans the Canada-U.S. border, it forms a natural corridor for north-south migrants --- an important corridor to study in the years ahead, as climate change continues to impact the timing of bird breeding and migration. Human migrants come here too. Both Americans and Canadians can enjoy birding in this trans-boundary wilderness.
The Skagit Bird Blitz seeks to replicate the successful example of the Manning Park Bird Blitz, which attracts a large number of birders each year and builds on a growing database that now spans 28 years of sightings. It is hoped that in the Skagit, we can establish another successful birding tradition that reveals the park’s changing species diversity over time.
With 199 recorded bird species and a road and trail network that gives good access to a beautiful mountain landscape, the Skagit deserves to become a birding Mecca.
Co-Sponsorship of the Bird Blitz:
The Skagit Valley Bird Blitz is supported and delivered by two non-profit organizations – BC Nature and Hope Mountain Centre. Both organizations share a commitment to nature appreciation and stewardship. Important financial support comes from the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (SEEC).
Event Leader:
Kelly Pearce is Program Director for Hope Mountain Centre and has coordinated the Manning Park Bird Blitz since 2000. Kelly has delivered outdoor education in Manning Park and the Skagit Valley for 16 years.
Guest Speaker:
Al Grass was a career naturalist with BC Parks for 30 years. He now works at the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Vancouver. He has been leading birding and nature walks and tours for over 35 years both within BC and further afield. Al continues to give talks on natural history to a variety of community groups and has contributed articles and photographs to: Birder’s Guide to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland; and Wilderness on the Doorstep: Discovering Nature in Stanley Park and the new publication from Nature Vancouver called: Parks and Natural Places Around Vancouver. He currently authors a monthly nature column in the North Shore News and is a regular contributor to Wingspan (WBT of BC), Nature Wild (Young Naturalist Club of BC Society), and several local naturalist newsletters.
Al is a member of the BC Field Ornithologists, BC Waterfowl Society, Federation of BC Naturalists, Bird Studies Canada, Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia, and is an active member of the Nature Vancouver and Langley Field Naturalist. It is an honour to have Al Grass and his partner Jude attending this year's inaugural "Skagit Valley Bird Blitz."
Itinerary:
Friday, June 4th — Birders arrive and set up camp at Ross Lake Group Campsite in Skagit Valley Provincial Park, starting at noon (see map).
Orientation begins at Ross Lake Group Campsite at 7:00 PM. Birders will get an introduction to the park, form birding groups, choose a trail, and receive their birding kits. Late arrivals can register at the campsite until 10:00 PM Friday, or anytime Saturday morning.
Saturday, June 5th — Birding groups will hike different trails in the park to record species and quantities of birds (by sight or call). After a full day of birding, birders will return to an evening barbecue with buns, salads, and drinks (bring your own protein!). After dinner, birders will meet around the campfire for a quick run-through of the day’s sightings, followed by a guest speaker.
Sunday, June 6th — More birding will occur in those areas not covered on Saturday, with people leaving Sunday afternoon.
Cost:
$45 per birder (FREE for children aged 18 and under, accompanied by an adult).
The birding fee includes the following:
* Two nights camping at Ross Lake Group Campsite noon Friday to Sunday.
* Guest speaker and barbecue, with salads, buns, and drinks
provided (bring your own protein!).
* Birding Kit --- including park map, bird checklist, tally sheet,
nesting record, and pencil.
* Educational displays and materials.
Pre-Register:
All participants must register and pay in advance so we know you’re coming. You can pay by credit card via this web site (click the “Register Now” button on the top right side of this page) or by mailing us a cheque. Either way, please pre-register with us online. Contact us at 604-869-1274 or by email at info@hopemountain.org if you have questions or need help registering.
Accommodation:
Camping -- Ross Lake Group Campsite has camping areas for tents and RV’s. No electrical or sewage hookups. Facilities include pit toilets, drinking water, a covered cook shelter with wood stove, and a group campfire ring. Bring your own table and chairs if possible, as picnic tables and seating are limited.
There are no fixed-roof accommodations in the Skagit, so birders must come prepared for tenting or RV camping. The nearest accommodation is in Hope, which is an hour-long drive from Ross Lake.
What to Bring:
Be prepared to camp and provide your own food and cooking stove. An exception is the Saturday night barbecue, when you can just arrive with your choice of protein for the grill.
Come prepared to hike in a variety of weather conditions, with temperatures ranging between +25 celsius during the day and +5 at night. Recommended items to bring:
* Water container (at least 1 litre)
* High-energy lunches and snack food
* Hiking boots or sturdy runners
* Warm clothes and rain gear
* Sunglasses, hat, camera, binoculars, guide books
Cancellations:
If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before a program starts, we will refund the program cost minus an administrative fee of $20. Cancellations received less than 14 days before the start of a program will not receive a refund. If we are forced to cancel a program, participants will receive a full refund.
A note about liability:
Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature carry liability insurance and maintain excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature assume no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form.
While we love dogs, we ask that you please leave yours at home.
Reserve a spot now by registering through this website, or call us at 604-869-1274 or by email at info@hopemountain.org for more information.
Cancellations:
If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before a program starts, we will refund the program cost minus an administrative fee of $20. Cancellations received less than 14 days before the start of a program will not receive a refund. If we are forced to cancel a program, participants will receive a full refund.
Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature carry liability insurance and maintain excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature assume no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form.
Sep 06, 2010