Skagit Valley Bird Blitz 2025

Join us for a weekend of fun at our annual Skagit Bird Blitz once again! 

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Inaugurated in 2011, the Skagit Valley Bird Blitz was created by Kelly Pearce with help from Denis Knopp, Al and Jude Grass, Scott Denkers and other birding enthusiasts. It was also co-hosted with BC Nature with special help from Bev Ramey. The event seeks to replicate the Manning Park Bird Blitz, a successful event that now spans 41 years of ornithological sightings!

Early May is a great time for novice and experienced birders alike to visit the Skagit – the birds are singing and nesting; spring wildflowers are in glorious bloom; and the infamous Skagit mosquitoes have not yet achieved their full blood-sucking majesty!

With 199 recorded species, the Skagit offers a beautiful mountain setting and a classic “U-shaped” glaciated valley that is traversed by a widely meandering river. Healthy waterfowl populations are found here, including harlequin ducks and the lush riparian forests are alive with songbirds. There are also dry forests of Ponderosa Pine and open meadows where birds of prey frequently hunt. All in all, a thriving web of diverse ecosystems to attract our birds.

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As the Skagit Valley spans the Canadian-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 enjoy the Skagit Valley lands too, both Americans and Canadians can enjoy birding in this trans-boundary wilderness.

Itinerary:

Friday,  May 9, 2025 

• 01:00 - 7:00pm – Birders arrive and set up camp at Ross Lake Group Campground in Skagit Valley Provincial Park - Download MAP - Check-in at the registration table

Participants must arrange their own transportation.

• 07:00pm – Form birding groups, choose a trail, and receive your birding kits. Late arrivals can register at the Ross Lake Campground until 9:00 pm Friday, or early Saturday morning

• 8:00pm – Presentation by Denis Knopp on the "Birds of the Skagit Valley"

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Saturday, May 10, 2024

• Morning – Starting at various times through the morning, birding groups will hike different trails in the Skagit to record species and quantities of birds, doing so both by sight and call. Sixteen birding areas* have been identified in the park, and birders are welcome to visit as many of these areas as they wish

• 09:00am – Beginner's group walk begins

• 05:00pm – Birders gather at Ross Lake Group Campground for an evening barbecue with buns, salads, condiments, and drinks (bring your own protein!)

• 07:00pm – After dinner, birders will meet around the campfire for a quick run-through of the day’s wildlife sightings, sharing their thrilling moments and alarming debacles.

•  8:00pm – Presentation by Abhinandan Satya

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Sunday, May 11, 2024

• Morning – More birding will take place in the areas not covered on Saturday, with participants leaving Sunday afternoon.

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Be aware that times are approximate! Start and end times may vary slightly depending on speed of the group, weather and road conditions, etc.

Price Includes:

Full Weekend Birder – $75Fee covers Friday & Saturday camping fees, Saturday barbecue (bring your own protein), guest speakers' Friday and Saturday evening presentation, birding kit and field data information, educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders!

• 1 Night Camping Birder – $60Fee covers Saturday night camping fees, Saturday birding, Saturday barbecue (bring your own protein), guest speakers' Friday and Saturday evening presentation, birding kit and field data information, educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders!

• Day Birder + BBQ – $45Fee covers Saturday birding with birding kit and field data information, use of educational displays and materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! Fee also includes the BBQ on Saturday evening (bring your own protein) and Saturday evening presentation .

• Day Birder (no BBQ) – $35Fee covers Saturday OR Sunday birding with birding kit and field data information, use of educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders!

• Young Birder – $0FREE for children and youth aged 18 and under, must be accompanied by an adult participating in event.

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Fee applies to all birders; those camping and those staying at other fixed roof accommodation.

For those attending the barbecue, please bring your own protein.  We will provide a variety of salads, buns, coffee/tea, fruit juice and various condiments.  Bringing your own cutlery and plates to help with our cleanup!​

Physical Demand:

Participants should be in reasonably good physical condition, but there will be plenty of opportunities to rest and enjoy the birds and surroundings–you’ll be on your own schedule!  It’s also your choice of birding trails, from flat and easy to steep and strenuous.  Please be prepared for all weather conditions. May conditions can be cold or hot, or anything in between! Temperatures at camp typically range from -3C to +20C. Snow may be encountered at higher elevations.

What to bring:

Whenever you are hiking, you should always carry The Essentials

Recommended items:

• Backpack to carry all your belongings

• Sturdy boots and gaiters

• Water (at least 1 litre)

• High-energy food

• Warm clothes and rain gear

• Binoculars/spotting scope, camera

• Bird ID guidebooks and/or apps downloaded for offline use on phone

• Headlamp

• First aid kit

• Firestarter

• Emergency shelter/blanket

• Map and compass (and/or GPS navigation + spare batteries/powerbank and cord)

• Multitool

• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, Chapstick

Be prepared to camp in shoulder season conditions (potential for cold and wet) and provide your own food–an exception is the Saturday night barbecue, when you can just arrive with protein for the grill. 

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Come prepared to hike in a variety of weather, with temperatures ranging between +25 Celsius during the day and +5 at night. 

Gortex Gaiters are helpful to keep mud and snow out of your boots.

Accomodation:

Event Camping

Group Camping will be available at Ross Lake Group Campground with plenty of room for our group. Come prepared for tenting or RV camping.  There are 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.

Amenities:

There are no fixed-roof accommodations in the Skagit, so birders must come prepared for tent or RV camping. The nearest accommodation is in Hope, which is an hours’ drive from Ross Lake.

Program Partners:

We are grateful for the financial support provided by the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission and the Province of British Columbia.

Birding Data:

All data gathered during the weekend will contribute to a multi-year database on the Skagit’s bird population. 

Similar to the Manning Park Bird Blitz, data will be compiled and shared with the public as well as many ornithological researchers. Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature will share the Bird Blitz data via their respective websites.

Meet Your Guides: