Reserve a Program

Audubon Birding Day:

Audubon Birding Day: Upstream on the Columbia River

Less than two hours from Portland, the Columbia River on the lee side of the Cascades presents remarkably different landscapes. On this full-day, self-driving trip, we’ll explore the rivers around The Dalles, visiting a variety of habitats as we make our west to our ending point in The Dalles. Scanning the river, we may find Common or Pacific Loons, Surf Scoter, or Red-necked Grebe, and at Lone Pine, we’ll have an opportunity to work on our gull ID and look for uncommon species.

Mongolia

Join Portland Audubon on a trip of a lifetime! Mongolia is a place of staggering beauty with extraordinary birds and mammals. Enjoy traditional Mongolian food in a communal setting and experience first-hand the unique Mongolian life by staying in ger camps. We will explore its varied habitats, which include the Siberian Taiga in the north, the Mongolian Steppe and the Gobi Desert, and Gobi Altai Mountains in the south. Wildlife high points include Demoiselle Crane, Lammergeier, Wallcreeper, and Przewalski’s Wild Horse.

Amazon River Cruise

Travel with Portland Audubon on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through the heart of upper Amazonia, on the largest river in the world! The Amazonian region boasts more than 120 endemic species and may be the most biologically diverse place on the planet – a true paradise. We will bird on a variety of tropical forest walks, observe wildlife and explore canals and lagoons by watercraft, and take in the Peruvian culture and history. From amazing birds to turtles, mammals, pink dolphins, unforgettable scenery, and culture, you don't want to miss this epic journey along the largest river in the world.

Springtime in Cape May

Beloved by beachcombers and birders alike, the quaint seashore town of Cape May is a must-visit birding destination, from forests to salt marshes. It may surprise some to discover Cape May is one of the best places in the country to watch the miracle of bird migration.

Pacific Northwest Trip: Owls by Day in Walla Walla

We’ll explore the unique habitat along the Columbia River, adjacent to the Blue Mountains on this self-catering winter trip to see owls by day in the Walla Walla area.

Birding Costa Rica

Join us in February for an incredible adventure in Costa Rica! Costa Rica is the gold standard for conservation policies and ecotourism and your participation supports this work as we explore the staggering biodiversity contained in a country one fifth the size of Oregon. More than 800 species of birds have been seen within the borders of this small country. To conserve this diversity, almost 30% of Costa Rica is contained in National Parks and Reserves, ensuring that it will be protected for many generations to come.

Pacific Northwest Trip: Wallowa Winter Wonderland

On this self-driving trip based out of Enterprise our exciting, bird-sighting aspirations are Bohemian Waxwing, Gray Partridge, Snow Bunting, Gray-crowned Rosy-finch, and Gyrfalcon.

Rio Grande Valley: The Tropical Birds of Texas

Winter is the perfect time travel to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, with its mild tropical weather, and outstanding bird diversity. Join us as we explore the entirety of the lower valley in search of the tropical specialties that can be found nowhere else in the country.  
We’ll enjoy Green Jay, Altamira and Audubon Orioles, Plain Chachalacas, and hope for some of the thrilling rarities that make this area so unique.

Audubon Birding Day: Celebrate the Holidays in Washington County

Join Stefan for a beginning of the year celebration of birds that can be found in Washington County during this time of year.

Advanced Waterfowl Identification

Just in time for the return of millions of wintering waterfowl, this three-part series of standalone classes provides everything you need to know to understand and identify the multitude of different Oregon waterfowl.  

There are some pretty serious identification challenges for the waterfowl enthusiast. In this class, we’ll look at lookalikes as well as some less common waterfowl you may see this winter.

Beginning Waterfowl Identification

From geese to ducks and swans and beyond, there's a lot of birds swimming in our waters! This identification class gives you the tools you need to identify them with confidence.

Understanding Waterfowl

Ducks and geese are among the most recognizable of our birds and are a great entry point into birding, but the definition of waterfowl can seem fuzzy, and some of their adaptations can make them difficult to understand. In this introduction, we’ll cover the basics of waterfowl evolution, taxonomy, and behavior, so that you can enjoy and appreciate these birds out in the field. Separate classes in the following two weeks focus on the specific identification of many of our common waterfowl.

Field Class with Laura Whittemore

Field Class: Beginning Field Birding and Sauvie Island Explorati

Join Greg Baker and Ricky Allen for Saturday morning explorations at one of Oregon’s most accessible Important Bird Areas, Sauvie Island Wildlife Area.This class series is perfect for those interested in developing and sharpening their birding skills under a variety of field conditions with expert birders. Explore different habitats on the island, learn bird calls, and search for waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors.

Pacific Northwest Trip: The Dammed Columbia

Explore the landscapes, history, and environmental impacts of the dams that define the Pacific Northwest, as well as the rich mosaic of National Wildlife Refuges that were established to mitigate those impacts.

Field Trip

Pacific Northwest Trip: The Olympic Peninsula

Join us as we explore the Strait of Juan de Fuca in search of rarities, loons, alcids (murres, guillemots, auklets, puffins, and murrelets), and spectacular views.

Winter Gull Identification

At first glance, gulls may all look alike. But if you know what to look for, most gulls are actually pretty easy to identify. This class will show you the characteristics that make each species unique, allowing you to enjoy the diversity of gull species that winter in western Oregon.

Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Great Horned Owl

The New School of Birding

Join expert birders and trip leaders, Candace and Dan, for a six-week course with classes and in-person field days that will take you on a riveting journey through the world of bird biology, field identification, and conservation. Through lectures, quizzes, helpful handouts, live interaction with your instructors, and extensive field time, you’ll build both your birding skills and gain a deeper understanding of what’s going on beneath all those feathers!

Bird Journals for Beginners and Continuing Journalers!

Get started or continue with your bird journal, using drawing, simple watercolor, and writing. We use specimens and photos to practice. You will try simple ways to learn to see in new ways, then draw, write, and use watercolors, and develop your pages. No art experience needed, just enthusiasm and a few tools! Register for each class separately.

Watercolor Painting with Ronna:

Field Trip: Fernhill for Beginners

Join Stefan for a 1 mile loop around Fernhill Wetlands. We will look at everything, but our focus is on the basics of the birds that are present. Waterfowl is most abundant, but there also should be some raptors, little birds and maybe shorebirds. Don’t forget to bring binoculars; that’s all you are going to need.

Accessible Birding Outing: Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Join Portland Audubon for an accessible birding outing at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden! This birding hotspot in SE Portland boasts a wide variety of songbirds and waterfowl as well as ADA compliant trails and bathrooms. Together we will make our way through the garden by foot or by wheelchair, observing and learning about birds and other wildlife. We welcome all people who identify as disabled, neurodivergent, and/or chronically ill. This outing is made for and led by birders with disabilities. Beginning birders are welcome! Extra binoculars and a scope will be available.

Pacific Northwest Trip: Raptor Migration at Green Ridge

Green Ridge is Oregon’s unsung raptor migration hotspot, with comparable numbers of raptors to the more well-known Bonney Butte, but easier access and more accessible local birding. Join Brodie Cass Talbott for a self-catering tour of peak raptor migration at Green Ridge. We will augment an afternoon of raptor counting with birding around the Sisters and Black Butte area.

Digital Class

Kenya

Join Portland Audubon on the wildlife trip of a lifetime! Kenya is renowned for its remarkable diversity of landscapes, animals, and cultures. Kenya boasts over 1100 species of birds, all of Africa’s “Big 5” mammals, large herds of grazing herbivores, plus fascinating history, friendly people, and delicious food. We’ll explore a wide variety of habitats, including savanna, wetlands, semi-arid scrubland, desert Lava, highland forest, montane grasslands, and rare equatorial forest. Our trip coincides with the migration of many birds to and from Asia and Europe, and many resident species will be sporting fancy breeding plumage, so we are likely to experience an unparalleled array of avifauna.

Other Trips