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Birding

The main motivation most members of LCBAS have for joining the chapter is to watch birds! We provide opportunities for members and the public to enjoy nature, watch birds, and learn more about their biology and identification. In particular, we offer

Benton & Franklin County
Birding Hotspots

  • Find and explore the best birding hotspots in Benton and Franklin Counties. Peruse the geographically grouped sites, choose an area and go birding!

  • Links for each site take you to eBird where you will find a treasure trove of details and photos about the birds observed there. 

Birds 'N Brews is back!
July 17

Join Jason Fidorra for some easy,

family-friendly summer birding! 

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Wednesday, July 17, 7pm

Two Rivers Park, Finley

Meet at the boat launch and gravel parking lot at the north end of S Locust Lane (not the main paved Park access area). We will hope for mild temps and see what we can find on a short bird walk before retiring to

Ice Harbor Brewery at 10 East Bruneau Ave, Kennewick (the new Public Market location, not the Clover Island location).

BRING INSECT REPELLANT

Tricolored Blackbird by LUmthun

Tricolored Blackbird
Larry Umthun

Black-chinned Hummingbird by LUmthun

Black-chinned Hummingbird
Larry Umthun

Join us for the 5th annual July Challenge
July 2024 Birding Challenge

  • July in the Mid-Columbia region is hot and dry; challenging conditions for birds and birders sandwiched between spring and fall migration. Breeding birds are active and fledglings abound, but very few waterfowl or shorebirds are in residence. 

  • Jason Fidorra, local birding enthusiast and wildlife biologist, started the July Challenge in 2020 to encourage people to count as many species as possible in the region in July.

  • Fun and for the birds; a friendly "competition" between Franklin and Benton counties! Participants can align themselves with one county or try to count as many birds as possible in both counties. 

  • Birders are encouraged to use ebird to tally their birding adventures. A remarkable number of species are in the area during the height of summer. 

 

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Summer... It’s hot, buggy, most migrants have passed, and there’s less motivation to get out birding. So little in fact that July USED TO BE the least birded month in our area. But as we have learned through this challenge, many discoveries await! Data centers like eBird benefit from this information for conservation and science.  July is no longer the most data deficient month - but let's keep going! 

Join us for the 5th annual July Challenge -- a fun effort to document as many species as we can during July in Franklin and Benton Counties, and maybe beat past county records of 151 species across both counties or highs of 137 in Benton and 126 in Franklin, or take the lead in individual county lists! Regular emails will be sent to participants about species and standings through the month on this friendly “battle of the counties”. Feel free to bird in either or both counties to explore new sites and birds! To join the fun, send an email to JFidorra@gmail.com to be added to the email list.

July 2024 challenge stats

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Benton Co: 138 species/14 participants

Top three listers in Benton Co:

Jef Blake 128 species

Elke David 105 species

Rowan Young-McMurchie 103 species

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Franklin Co: 130 species/6 participants

Top three listers in Franklin Co:

Dana Ward 90 species 

Mark Gerber 68 species

Doug Gruba 60 species

​Prior July Challenge species totals:

2020

Benton Co: 137

Franklin Co: 123

Combined: 151

2021

Benton Co: 128

Franklin Co: 122

Combined: 144

2022

Benton Co: 124

Franklin Co: 116

Combined: 138

2023

Benton Co: 130

Franklin Co: 126

Combined: 151

W.E. Johnson Park - Richland WA

W. E. Johnson Park - Richland

Christmas Bird Count

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the much-anticipated highlight of the winter birding season throughout much of the Americas. With humble beginnings nearly 125 years ago, the CBC is one of the world's largest community science projects, facilitating the gathering and compilation of an immense amount data about hundreds of bird species.

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  • The Tri-Cities Christmas Bird Count (CBC) regularly has the highest number of species seen inland in Washington thanks to strong community and LCBAS member support.

  • It is typically held the first Saturday following Christmas Day.

  • Summary Report for December 30, 2023 CBC

Belted Kingfisher by LUmthun
Bullock's Oriole by LUmthun
Common Loon by LUmthun
View west from Bateman Island

View from Bateman Island causeway

Yakima Delta from Columbia Point South
Bateman Island bird walk

Bateman Island is a major birding hotspot in the Mid-Columbia. Located at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers, the island and surrounding waters are teeming with a huge variety of birds and other wildlife throughout the year. Over 230 species of waterfowl, songbirds, raptors and shorebirds have been documented in a variety of habitats. Up to 60 species are typically found on a Saturday walk.

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Lisa Hill and other knowledgeable birders lead a walk on the first Saturday of the month from September through June. Bird enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome, especially beginning birders.

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  • The island is located in Richland, WA, accessed from Columbia Park Trail.

  • From Hwy 240, take the Columbia Center Blvd exit, go north toward the river.

  • Turn left on Columbia Park Trail and park on the right in the lot of Wye Park, or in spaces flanking the road.

  • Go through the walking access of the chain link fence and proceed to the island causeway.

  • First Saturday walks begin promptly at 8:00AM. A full loop hike around the island is about 2.5 miles, but participants may leave at any time. The group gathers in the Wye Park parking lot.

View to the south from Columbia Point over the Yakima R. delta toward Bateman Island

Belted Kingfisher
Larry Umthun

Bullock's Oriole
Larry Umthun

Common Loon
Larry Umthun

Bateman Island is open to the public.

Birding

The main motivation most members of LCBAS have for joining the chapter is to watch birds! We provide opportunities for members and the public to enjoy nature, watch birds, and learn more about their biology and identification. In particular, we offer

​

Benton & Franklin County
Birding Hotspots

  • Find and explore the best birding hotspots in Benton and Franklin Counties. Peruse the geographically grouped sites, choose an area and go birding!

  • Links for each site take you to eBird where you will find a treasure trove of details and photos about the birds observed there. 

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