Join Us! Field Trip to Renton's Black River Heron Colony June 18


Herons Forever and Seattle Audubon invite you to a field trip this Saturday, June 18th. Join us on this spectacular tour of the region's largest heron colony. Seattle Audubon's Mark Johnston and Herons Forever's Suzanne Krom will lead, giving you a window into the lives of these elusive birds that grace our shorelines and waterways. We should see many fledglings and nestlings, and hear their raucous symphony from their treetop homes. Many of this season's 400 young birds are likely to be taking their first flights and learning to feed.



If you have been meaning to join us for our annual field trips to see the new fledglings, I strongly encourage you to do so this year. Don't take this event or colony for granted, thinking that there will always next year. We certainly hope so, which is what we've been working so hard to accomplish for 16 years now and still counting. But there are never any guarantees. So don't wait any longer. Make this field trip a priority. The one thing I can guarantee you is that it will be more beautiful than you can imagine, even if you've been many times before. There is always something new to be discovered. The rich diversity of life here is extraordinary. If you haven't been here before, it's like taking a mini-vacation. You'll feel like you're hundreds of miles from the city.



When: Saturday, June 18, 10:00 am - noon

Where: Black River Riparian Forest in Renton. Directions are below.

Bring: Binoculars and scopes if you have them. Your family and friends - the tour is geared for all ages.



The viewing area to see the herons is wheelchair accessible if you have someone helping along the unpaved path. The unpaved portion is about three blocks round trip.



Directions to Black River Riparian Forest in Renton

The Black River sanctuary is on Oakesdale Ave. SW just west of SW 7th. It's across from the Metro Treatment Plant. A MapQuest search will give you directions from your starting point. Contact me by responding to this email if you would like more specific directions.



Directions to the heron viewing area after you park

After parking, follow Oakesdale to the paved bicycle path. Take the bike path to the newly installed kiosk, which is where we'll gather. If you arrive after we've headed to the viewing area, follow the bike trail to the bottom of short hill, and turn left on to the grassy path. Walk two blocks to the heron viewing area.