Our Mission
We are a 501(c)3 certified non profit organization. We focus on education and conservation by holding classes about raptors of the Pacific Northwest as well as conducting research projects focused on conservation.
Winter Hawk Watching in Western Washington Classes
The 5-week class will be starting January 6, 2026. There will be an in-person class at Padilla Bay Estuarine Research Center on Tuesday evenings and another option by Zoom on Wednesday evenings. This class will teach you about the 15 regularly occurring species of hawks, eagles, harriers, falcons and vultures that normally occur in the Salish Sea area. We cover how to identify them, where to find them, when they are here, why they are here, how they make a living and what you need to observe them. You can read more about the class here. Field trips are included for the in-person class.
This will be the 44th year for this class!
From Bud Anderson of the Falcon Research Group in the Fall of 2019:
“After 36 years, it is time for me to move on from teaching the Hawkwatching in Western Washington course that I have enjoyed so much. Thank you to everyone for supporting it over these many years. However, I recognize that there is obviously still a continuing need for a hawk ID class out there.
Therefore, I have been working with my friend and colleague, Sue Cottrell, over the last few years to pass the torch on to her. As many of you know, Sue is an excellent hawkwatcher and is intimately acquainted with the Skagit Flats. She is more than qualified to helm the class in future years.
I encourage you all to support, learn and enjoy hawks with her. Good hawk watching and thank you all. Bud”
Please go here to register for either option.
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