Young Birders at Wenas

Young Birders birding together at the annual Wenas Audubon CampOut. | Ser Anderson

Young Birders is Birds Connect Seattle’s group for youth interested in birding, comprised of teens aged 13-18 years old. Each month they come together for meetings, field experiences, community science, and more. For more on the program, visit our webpage and keep reading for a glimpse of May’s field experience at the annual Wenas CampOut.

Young Birders and other community members at  the Wenas CampOut. | Ser Anderson

Each year, Washington State’s Audubon chapters and friends come together on the east slope of the Cascade Mountains at Wenas Valley for the annual Wenas Audubon CampOut. Here, participants engage in a variety of different activities, including birding, wildflower walks, field sketching, presentations, and more.

Young Birders observe a small reptile. | Ser Anderson

In late May, five Young Birders (plus 2 parents) attended the annual Wenas CampOut. While at the CampOut, they enjoyed exploring the less familiar habitats of the eastern slope of the Cascades. These habitats include sagebrush and ponderosa pine forests that support a wide variety of flora and fauna. While birding from the early hours of the morning until after dark, Young Birders observed White-head Woodpeckers, lots of bluebirds, Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Peregrine Falcon, and a Common Poorwill, as well as a Pygmy Short-horned Lizard and a couple scorpions.

Two Young Birders look around by a fallen log. | Ser Anderson

One Young Birder said that they “loved the campout,” others stated that their favorite parts of the Young Birders program included field experiences, having fun birding together, community science, bird surveys, and “learning more about birding and meeting other birders.” Learn more about our Young Birders program.

Young Birders at the Wenas CampOut. | Ser Anderson

Birds Connect Seattle offers a number of youth environmental education programs, connecting children and teens to the wonder of nature and opportunities to get involved in local conservation efforts. Youth programs are made possible through the generosity of donors like you. 

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