The Columbia, Missouri chapter of the Audubon Society — serving Audrain, Boone, Cooper, Howard, Monroe & Randolph Counties

Field Trips

From beginning birders to experts – ALL ARE WELCOME! For driving trips, participants carpool with all the riders chipping in to pay for the driver’s gas. Trips leave promptly at the stated departure time. If you have doubts about whether a field trip is “on” because of inclement weather, call the trip leader up to one hour before scheduled departure. Impromptu field trips are occasionally posted to MOBIRDS, the list-serve maintained by Audubon Society of Missouri.

Columbia Audubon field trips provide an opportunity to meet new birding friends, to learn about a new area, and to polish our birding identification skills. Field trips take many forms. They can be an hour walk on a nature trail, a driving tour of public conservation area, a visit to a museum, a day-long trip to another part of the state, or even a winter potluck brunch observing birds from the warmth of a member's home. We only need your imagination and willingness to lead a field trip.

Coming Up

Saturday, Mar 3, 2012
Hinkson Woods Conservation Area
Site Location: Hinkson Woods Conservation Area. Columbia, MO
Departure Point: Songbird Station. 2010 Chapel Plaza Ct #C, Columbia, MO
Leader: Lottie Bushmann and Laura Pintel
Contact Phone: 573-808-0661 (Lottie), 446-0920

Trip co-sponsored with Songbird Station. Beginners especially welcome. Meet at Songbird Station at 8:00 to caravan over to the Twin Lakes parking lot.  We'll walk around Twin Lakes and then a short distance west on the MKT trail to Hinkson Woods.  Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Return to the store about 10:00 for coffee and donuts.

Saturday, Mar 24, 2012
Fayette area lakes (D.C. Rogers and Peters) and Possum Haw
Departure Point: McDonald's South Lot (Stadium and Worley). 415 N Stadium Blvd, Columbia, Boone, Missouri 65203
Leader: Edge Wade
Contact Phone: 445-6697

Meet at the lot south of McDonald's on Stadium.  We'll go to D.C. Rogers and Peters Lakes, then stop by Possum Haw on the Fayette square to peruse the natural history books over a cup of coffee.  Participants may return to Columbia or have lunch in Fayette.  R.S.V.P. by March 22 so we know how many will stay for lunch.

Tips

Field trips are to find, enjoy and learn about wild birds. These trips are free and appropriate for adults and children 9 years old and above who have shown an interest in birds. Children aged 9 through 11 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Be sure to note the departure place and time for each trip.

All trips are probably "a go" even in light rain. If in doubt, contact a trip leader the evening before or one hour before the scheduled meeting time.

What to bring on a field trip: Binoculars, field guide, water, snack, layered clothing, sunscreen.

If you own an FRS radio, please bring it. We have a limited number available.

Leading a Trip

We hope those of you who enjoy field trips will offer to lead at least one field trip during the coming year. This will help us provide a good variety of field trips without overburdening just one or two people who traditionally lead the trips.

Friends have told me, "I can't lead a field trip. I'm not an expert birder." You don't have to be an expert birder. It is not your job to identify the birds. The field trip participants should work together to identify birds. As a field trip leader, you only have three responsibilities:

  • Call or e-mail and let her know when and where you want to go on the field trip. She will get it scheduled and published in The Chat.
  • Make all your participants feel welcome.
  • Be sure to come back with at least as many people as you left with!

    • Field Trip Coordinator:

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