Any time/arrival: Select a site, set up camp and sign in at the Larrison Tree. (PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY ON THE LIST.)
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024
5:30 AM Meet/Organize for Early Bird Walk
A casual stroll around Wenas camp. Morning birding is best, according to early risers!
8:00 AM-4:00 PM Birding @ 3 Creeks Visit Three Creeks
Carolyn Comeau & Jim Leier 21200 N. Wenas Road. 420 acres of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, ponderosa pine forest and riparian habitat along Wenas Creek. Birding in the yard is good with Bullock’s Oriole, Western Bluebird, warblers, finches, sapsuckers and more. Snacks/beverages offered. Birders welcome to bring your lunch and enjoy the shade trees.
NOON-1:30 PM: Drawn to Birds @ Wenas
Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Learn to observe birds by drawing. White-Breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird and White-Headed Woodpecker each have different posture lines, body shapes and field marks. Meet at the vault toilet; bring own art supplies and chair. This is a family activity–kids and adults welcome. Minimal walking required.
1:30-3:00 PM Paint Green with Carleen
Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Learn about color theory and how to mix watercolors to create a varied green palette while painting Wenas habitat. Meet at the vault toilet. Bring art supplies and chair. Family activity for kids and adults. Minimal walking required.
4:00-5:30 PM Birding for Beginners
Wendy Walker, Feminist Bird Club, Seattle Chapter. Is birding a new interest, or are you a Wenas first-timer? Meet new friends and get tips on using binoculars, field guides and apps and ask questions about the campout. We’ll start with a welcoming circle, then bird in an open, grassy area close to camp along Wenas Creek. Bring a chair or stool if you’d like to sit, and a hat if it’s sunny.
7:00 PM Evening Program
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle, look for signage for location. See 2024 Evening Programs for details.
SATURDAY, June 1, 2024
All Day: Wenas Little Free Library
Look for the Wenas Little Free Library and help yourself to books, magazines and puzzles. Bring books to donate to the library. Sharing is caring!
5:30 AM Meet/Organize for the Early Bird Walk
A casual stroll around Wenas camp for early birding, returning in time for later morning trips. Morning birding is best, according to early risers!
8:00 AM Green Dot Road High Country Explorations
Michael Hobbs. We will drive Green-Dot and Forest Service roads above Wenas camp, attempting to reach higher-elevation habitats and species. Exact route TBD. Drivers should be experienced on rough, unpaved roads and in 4X4 vehicles with high ground clearance.
8:00 AM Hardy Canyon
Ed and Liz Brown, Pilchuck Audubon. The classic Wenas trip. We will carpool to the trail head, explore the birds along Wenas Creek, then walk up canyon a short distance to spot upland birds and listen to Western Meadowlarks. If folks are interested, we then stop by the hay barn on the way back to look for Say’s Phoebe. Hardy Canyon is a reliable spot for Lazuli Buntings, Vesper Sparrows and riparian birds along the creek, including Yellow-Breasted Chat.
8:00 AM-Noon Box Canyon Hike
Carolyn Comeau. Easy to moderate 2-mile hike with 800 feet elevation gain on a dirt path that starts at South Fork of Wenas Creek, ascends through open forest to a lovely viewpoint overlooking Audubon Road/Manastash Ridge. Carpool to trailhead at BBQ Flats Campground.
8:00 AM Downstream Walk
Neil Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. A stroll from camp along Wenas Creek, where riparian species include Veery, American Dipper, Spotted Sandpiper, warblers and more. Easy walking, with some brushy spots.
9:00 AM BBQ Flats Plant Walk
Ed Lisowski. A half-day native plant hike in riparian communities near BBQ Flats Campground, on Maloy Road about 2 miles west of the Wenas Road. Meet at 9 a.m. at the creek crossing in BBQ Flats Campground. For more info, lisowski@nwinfo.net or 509-248-4590.
NOON: Lunch with other birders (informal)
Larrison Tree. Join other campers at Larrison tree to picnic, socialize and bird watch. Bring a lunch or snack, binoculars,scopes and something to sit on. Meet new birders or old friends.
NOON-1:30 PM Paint Green with Carleen
Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Learn how to mix watercolors to create a varied green palette while painting Wenas habitat. Meet at the vault toilet. Bring art supplies and chair. Family activity for kids and adults. Minimal walking.
1:30-3:00 PM Drawn to Birds @ Wenas
Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Learn to observe birds by drawing. White-Breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird and White-Headed Woodpecker each have different posture lines, body shapes and field marks. Meet at the vault toilet; bring own art supplies and chair. Family activity. Minimal walking required.
3:00-4:00 PM Journaling with Multimedia
Nancy Merrill. For beginner, intermediate and experienced nature journalers. Have fun with fellow journalers as we experiment with multiple media in creating a personalized journal page with writing, sketches, paintings, labels, stickers, stamps and photos. Materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring personal tools and supplies. Limited to 10 people.
4:00-5:00 PM Music and Ice Cream!
Jeff Main. Back by popular demand, musician Jeff Main will entertain us while birder and Wenas resident Carolym Comeau provides ice cream treats. Plenty of time to have dinner after this program and still make the Evening Program. Last year a delightful pixie collected tips!
7:00 PM Evening Program
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle, look for signage for location. See 2024 Evening Events page for details.
SUNDAY, June 2, 2024
All Day Wenas Little Free Library
Look for the Wenas Little Free Library and help yourself to a variety of books and magazines about birds and nature. Feel free to bring books to donate to the library as well.
5:30 AM Meet/Organize for the Early Bird Walk
A casual stroll around Wenas camp for early birding.
8:00 AM-4:00 PM Birding @ 3 Creeks Visit Three Creeks
Carolyn Comeau & Jim Leier, 21200 N. Wenas Road. 420 acres of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, ponderosa forest and riparian habitat along Wenas Creek. Birding in the yard is good with Bullock’s Oriole, Western Bluebird, warblers, finches, sapsuckers and more. Snacks/beverages offered. Birders welcome to bring your lunch and enjoy the shade trees.
8:00 AM Black Canyon Walk
Koji Yugawa. A 9.5-mile round-trip hike up Black Canyon. Bring a lunch and water. Moderate walking on logging roads to the top of Umtanum Ridge, with sweeping vistas of Ellensburg and the surrounding valley. For-sure species include Lazuli Buntings, Rock Wrens and Bluebirds, with occasional star appearances by various raptors. Carpool to trailhead.
8:30-10:30 AM Hog Ranch Road Walk
Ed and Liz Brown, Pilchuck Audubon. From camp, we will ascend Hog Ranch Road on foot and explore the ridge top, then descend the other side of the ridge and stroll back to camp along Dry Creek and Wenas Creek.
NOON-1:30 PM Paint Green with Carleen
Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Learn how to mix watercolors to create a varied green palette while painting Wenas habitat. Meet at the vault toilet. Bring art supplies and chair. Family activity for kids and adults.
NOON Lunch with other birders (informal)
Larrison Tree. Join other campers at Larrison tree to picnic, socialize and bird watch. Bring a lunch or snack, binoculars,scopes and something to sit on. Meet new birders or old friends.
1:00 PM Wenas Lake Trip
Neil Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Drivers will carpool to Wenas Lake, the best place to add waterfowl to your list as well as riparian birds and Bank Swallows. Easy walking along a gravel trail.
1:30-3:00 PM Drawn to Birds @ Wenas
Carleen Zimmerman, Birds Connect Seattle. Learn to observe birds by drawing. White-Breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird and White-Headed Woodpecker each have different posture lines, body shapes and field marks. Meet at the vault toilet; bring own art supplies and chair. Minimal walking required.
7:00 PM Evening Program
Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle. See 2024 Evening Events page for details.
Monday, June 3, 2024
5:30 AM Meet/Organize for the Early Bird Walk
A casual stroll around Wenas camp for early birding.
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Birding @ 3 Creeks
Carolyn Comeau & Jim Leier. Visit Three Creeks, 21200 N. Wenas Road, 420 acres of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, ponderosa forest and riparian habitat along Wenas Creek. Birding in the yard is good with Bullock’s Oriole, Western Bluebird, warblers, finches, sapsuckers and more. Snacks/beverages offered. Birders welcome to bring your lunch and enjoy the shade trees.
7:00 PM Evening Program
Wenas Organization Committee. Hazel Wolf Campfire Circle. See 2024 Evening Events page for details.
Wenas Campout 