Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the north end of West Beach parking lot, Deception Pass State Park for this free field trip to bird the beach and the lake. The hopes are to see hundreds of Red-throated Loons gathering to feed in the outflowing current of Deception Pass. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. Depending on weather and interest, the tour will end about noon, with a possible stop at Dugualla Bay on the way back toward Oak Harbor. You might want to bring water, a snack or a hot drink. Dress warmly and prepare for wind. We won’t do much walking.

Cars need a Discover Pass to park. Trip leaders are Sarah Schmidt and Steve Ellis. Questions: contact Sarah Schmidt, or call/text 360-929-3592.

To carpool, meet at 7:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Park and Ride in Freeland; 8 a.m. in Coupeville at Prairie Station Transit Park, 201 S Main St; or at 8:30 at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor (At Pioneer Way traffic light, turn R on Beeksma Dr and L into Windjammer Park toward the end. Meet at parking spaces facing the water.). Carpoolers will need to organize yourselves.

 Dates:

10 January 2026

Time: 

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM