Wally World: Ride for the Birds

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Ride Description: Every year tens of thousands of snow geese, several thousand trumpeter swans and many other species of waterfowl as well as many species of raptors (hawks, falcons, and eagles) spend the winter on Fir Island.  The above photo of an estimated 20,000 snow geese was taken at the Skagit Wildlife Area Hayton Reserve on Fir Island this year on October 6. This ride is as much about birding as it is riding a bicycle. If we spot a flock of birds at a good viewing distance, we will stop to observe and photograph.  It is suggested that you bring binoculars and, possibly, a camera with a zoom lens. 

This is a steady paced ride (12 – 14 mph) crisscrossing Fir Island in hopes of encountering flocks of snow geese and other birds.  The route is through farmland that is flat as a pancake.  Fir Island is near Conway, WA (I5 exit 221).  We will park in a gravel parking lot across the street from the Fir Conway Lutheran Church. The route is essentially 2 loops which pass the start location at the beginning of each.  As a result, we will take a break (at least 15 minutes) at mile 18 to shed layers of clothing and eat lunch.  Please remember to bring whatever you would like to eat or drink as there will not be an opportunity to purchase food during the ride.  The posted route is subject to change depending on where we find birds and how much time we spend watching them.

Neither water nor restrooms are available at the start. Both are available at the I5 rest stop just north of exit 206 and at the Shell station just as you enter Conway. You can also purchase food at the Shell station. During the ride, a Honey Bucket is available at mile 3 when we stop at the Hayton Reserve to watch birds, and a vault toilet is available at mile 15 when we stop at the State's Skagit Wildlife refuge.

NOTE: The Headquarters Unit of the the Skagit Wildlife Refuge has been closed for construction since the beginning of October in order to significantly strengthen the dikes. The State of Washington still forecasts the unit to reopen in November. The Headquarters Unit is where the vault toilet is located. If the area is still closed on the day of our ride, at the end of the first loop we will make the short ride to the Shell Station in Conway to use the restroom. If this happens, there will also be an opportunity to purchase food during the ride. There will be little effect on total distance.

Please be ready to ride at 10:00. We will start with a required safety briefing and roll out when that's done. All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate. Be sure to bring a spare tube as well as the tools and knowledge to fix a flat - we will stay with you while you fix a flat. If the roads are wet, please have fenders or plan on riding at the end of the line.

Typically rides of this distance take about 3 hours. Because we will be stopping to watch birds at Hayton, and, if we are fortunate enough to encounter flocks of snow geese, swans, or other birds, the ride is likely to take at least 4 hours and possibly longer. If the total duration becomes too long for your schedule, it is convenient to leave the ride at mile 18 when we are back at the cars. I have provided two links below which identify the species and quantity of birds on Fir Island which have recently been reported to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird system. If, while you are looking at one of the lists, you click on the name of a bird, you will be redirected to photographs of the species.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancelation criterion listed above (including rain, freezing weather, ice or snow, or high winds) or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is canceled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.

We hope you can join us!