Field Trips

Field Trip to CJ Strike Reservoir 2021.

Join us for a field trip!

Golden Eagle Audubon offers more than 70 free field trips annually for birders of all levels. Our trips explore local areas from city parks to foothills trails as well as reservoirs and wildlife management areas farther out of town. 

We offer short (1-2 hr), half-day (3-5 hr), as well as full-day (6+ hr) trips on a variety of days throughout the month.  Check our calendar for the latest schedule.

Please note that for all our field trip offerings:

  • Group size is limited to provide a quality experience for all.

  • Advance registration is required to reserve a spot, which also allows us to contact you with any changes or cancelations.

  • Registration usually opens two weeks prior to the field trip and will be noted on the registration page.

  • Binoculars are available if needed.

If you have any questions about field trips or the registration process, please contact fieldtrips@goldeneagleaudubon.org

Golden Eagle Audubon Summer Camping Trips

Join us at the Cold Springs Group Campground in the Payette National Forest near Council June 1 - 3 for low-elevation early-summer birding. We'll bird the high country in the Boise National Forest while camping at the Bull Trout Lake Group Campground August 7-9. Campsites are available for tents and RVs. Our field trip leaders will lead birding trips for all abilities each day and we'll gather for dinner and a campfire program in the evening.

 

Upcoming Field Trips

Featured
Idaho Young Birders Club: Spring Shorebird Survey
Apr 27
Idaho Young Birders Club: Spring Shorebird Survey

We’ll be visiting Black’s Creek Bird Reserve, Indian Creek Reservoir, Hubbard Reservoir, and Wilson Springs Ponds, and documenting the shorebirds at each location.

Spring Migration at Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Apr 27
Spring Migration at Idaho Shakespeare Festival

The Idaho Shakespeare Festival is located on the banks of Barber Pool and a great place to learn about migrating birds.

Spring Migrants Photo Walk
Apr 27
Spring Migrants Photo Walk

Look for spring migrants at Kathryn Albertson Park and work on bird photography with leader Ben Gundy.

Hulls Gulch Birding Trip
Apr 28
Hulls Gulch Birding Trip

We'll take a walk around Hulls Gulch to see what type of birds are in the area late April.

Field Trips

  • Field Trips For Everyone

    Golden Eagle Audubon offers free field trips throughout the year led by our trained volunteers. Everyone is welcome. Many trips are suitable for children and for people with mobility, sensory or cognitive special needs. Please contact us at fieldtrips@goldeneagleaudubon.org to learn more or schedule a field trip for your group.

  • Person sitting with binoculars near a pond.

    Pause, Look and Listen

    We offer this monthly birding experience at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Grounds off Warm Springs Avenue. This is ideal for those with limited mobility and others that want to enjoy a more meditative birding experience. Let the birds come to you while enjoying the peaceful environment along the Boise River. Registration required.

  • American Wigeon flying over a river

    Bethine Church River Trail

    We offer a monthly Intro to Birding and GEAS field trip on our adopted Bethine Church River Trail section of the Greenbelt. Come learn about our local birds as well as our restoration efforts along the Boise River. Perfect for beginners or new residents! Registration required.

    Photo: American Wigeon by Ken Miracle

  • ellow-rumped Warbler bird sitting on barbed wire

    Wednesday Birders

    This informal group (come once, come sometimes, come everytime - it’s up to you!) meets twice a month for several hours of ‘slow birding’ alternating between Boise and outlying areas. The pace is slow so that everyone gets a chance to see and enjoy every bird. This is a great opportunity to learn from local expert Louisa Evers.

    Photo: Yellow-rumped Warbler by Louisa Evers.

Seeking New Field Trip Leaders

If you’re a birder with favorite spots you’d like to share, consider joining our team of volunteer field trip leaders. It might sound a little scary (“Who, me? I can’t lead a field trip!”) but it’s really fun and quite easy.

We can provide training walks and mentors, help write your trip descriptions, and find background resources on the birding spots you love. You don’t need to be able to identify every bird. You’ll be successful by organizing an enjoyable walk at an interesting location.

If you’re interested (even if you’re maybe a little interested, but also a little nervous) contact the Field Trip Coordinator at fieldtrips@goldeneagleaudubon.org

Closeup of a Double-crested Cormorant bird

Double-crested Cormorant. Photo by Jessica Bowser/Audubon Photography Awards.

closeup of Greater Sage-Grouse bird.

Birding Ethics Statement

Golden Eagle Audubon Society adheres to the Code of Birding Ethics of the American Birding Association and to the National Audubon Society’s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography.

Please follow these codes whether you are birding by yourself or attending a GEAS or other birding event.

The golden rule of birding: When in doubt, first consider the welfare of the bird.

Photo: Greater Sage-Grouse by Gene Putney/Audubon Photography Awards.