FIELD TRIPS
Field Trips at an RRF or NRN conference provide unique opportunities for visitors to get to know a place better and increase your chances of seeing awesome local birds of prey! Our exciting line-up of full-day and half-day field trips give you the opportunity to visit some of Idaho’s most renowned raptor-centric locales. Field trips are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, October 13 and 14, 2021.
Descriptions, costs, time, and pertinent details are provided below for each field trip. Though exact meeting locations are to be determined for many of the trips, rest assured that they will be in walkable locations from the Boise Centre or transportation will be provided from a central location. Field trip registrants will be notified with specific details prior to the conference. Please address questions about field trips to Tate Mason by emailing rrf2021@peregrinefund.org.
Wednesday Field Trips – October 13, 2021
Raptors and Songbirds at Lucky Peak Field Station
Join the Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) for a visit to their Lucky Peak Fall Migration Station. This station operates 24/7 each fall, studying over 100 bird species that pass through during autumn migration. We’ll spend our time with the day shift, catching the end of the songbird banding morning, then moving up the ridge to Hawk Watch. We’ll enjoy lunch overlooking the most scenic view in the Treasure Valley and wait as migrating raptors move south along the Boise Ridge. IBO’s hawk trapping station will be in operation that day and, with luck, we will have the chance to not only observe raptors on the wing, but also in the hand as part of IBO banding operations. Lunch is provided on this trip to IBO’s most remote field station.
Transportation provided; registrants should watch for meeting location details in the weeks preceding the conference.
Tour Leader: Heidi Ware
Cost: $20 / person
Tour Capacity: 20
Lunch Included
Time: 8:00 – 16:00
Meeting Location: TBD
Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area: Habitat, Culture, History, and Birds
Field trip to experience the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA). The deep canyon of the Snake River, with its crags and crevices and thermal updrafts, is home to the highest density of nesting birds of prey in North America. The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) mission at the NCA is to preserve this remarkable wildlife habitat, while providing for other compatible uses of the land.
Although many of the raptors will have migrated from the area in October, there is still much to see. We will visit Dedication Point, a spectacular overlook on the rim of the Snake River Canyon and learn about this unique ecosystem, raptor monitoring projects, and challenges facing the NCA. Here’s your chance to leave a lasting impact by planting a few sagebrush seedlings as part of an ongoing habitat restoration project!
We will also visit the west end of the NCA at Celebration Park, Idaho’s first archeological park, to see prehistoric petroglyphs and learn about the history of human presence in the Snake River Canyon.
Transportation provided; registrants should watch for meeting location details in the weeks preceding the conference.
Tour Leader: Cory Coffman, Joe Weldon
Cost: $20 / person
Tour Capacity: 20
Lunch Included
Time: 8:00 – 16:00
Meeting Location: TBD
A Raptor Tour of Southwest Idaho
A field trip dedicated to finding raptors…and some other birds. Join raptor specialist Bill Clark as we explore the birding hotspots of southwest Idaho. Tour will likely include the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and nearby areas.
Transportation provided; registrants should watch for meeting location details in the weeks preceding the conference.
Tour Leader: Bill Clark
Cost: $50 / person
Tour Capacity: 10
Lunch Included
Time: 8:00 – 16:00
Meeting Location: TBD
Owls at Lucky Peak Field Station
Join the Intermountain Bird Observatory for an evening visit to their Lucky Peak Fall Migration Station. This station operates 24/7 each fall, studying over 100 bird species that pass through during autumn migration. Tonight, we’ll join the night shift to observe their Northern Saw-whet Owl banding project. We’ll hike along the Boise Ridge under the glow of the Milky Way to check nets, and with any luck we’ll catch an owl (or maybe even a bat or two!). Dinner (pizza), hot cocoa, and snacks will be provided to keep us warm at this remote field station. This is an experience not to be missed!
Transportation provided; registrants should watch for meeting location details in the weeks preceding the conference.
Tour Leader: Greg Kaltenecker
Cost: $20 / person
Tour Capacity: 20
Dinner Included
Time: Wednesday night 17:30-23:59
Meeting Location: TBD
Thursday Field Trips – October 14, 2021
Idaho Botanical Gardens & Table Rock
The Idaho Botanical Garden, one of the first and oldest botanical gardens in Idaho, is a lush 15-acre tapestry of dappled shade and vibrant splashes of color. Nestled at the foot of Table Rock at the base of the Boise foothills, it is a sanctuary in the heart of the Old Penitentiary Historic District. The Garden promotes horticulture in the Treasure Valley using native and domestic plants adapted to the intermountain region. Trip will include an optional 2-mile hike to the top of Table Rock, providing panoramic views of Boise and the Treasure Valley. Table Rock Trail #15 (Ridge to Rivers Trail System) is mildly strenuous, hiking shoes recommended.
Transportation provided; registrants should watch for meeting location details in the weeks preceding the conference.
Tour Leader: Jim James, Elizabeth Dickey
Cost: $28 / person
Tour Capacity: 20
Lunch Included
Time: 9:00 – 13:00
Meeting Location: TBD
World Center for Birds of Prey and The Archives of Falconry
The World Center for Birds of Prey is the headquarters of The Peregrine Fund. Situated on 580 acres just south of Boise, the campus is home to an Interpretive Center with 26 live raptor ambassadors, the Archives of Falconry, and the largest captive breeding program for California Condors in the world. This insiders’ tour will be led by education, falconry archives, and raptor propagation staff members!
Transportation provided; registrants should watch for meeting location details in the weeks preceding the conference.
Tour Leader: Tate Mason, Monica Pittman, Bob Collins, Leah Medley
Cost: $20 / person
Tour Capacity: 20
Lunch Included
Time: 8:30-13:00
Meeting Location: TBD
Explore on Your Own
Especially for those traveling from afar, we encourage you to come a few days early or stay a few days after the conference to enjoy more of why we love Idaho.
Boise
With Boise consistently ranking as one of the best place to live in America, you are sure to find plenty to keep you exploring! “Boise’s stellar quality of life includes a vibrant downtown, cultural and culinary experiences, unique attractions, and access to outdoor recreation and the Boise River. When you get here, you’ll enjoy a thoroughly walkable, friendly and safe city to explore,” as stated by one our generous RRF 2021 Sponsors, Boise Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Take a look at their website and discover ways you may want to spend a few extra days before or after the main events!
Idaho and Surrounding Areas
Beyond Boise, Idaho is a treasure trove for fans of outdoor adventure and exploration. Landscapes of rolling sagebrush habitat or forested mountains, plenty of wildlife and raptor viewing opportunities, and over 200 natural hot springs offer plenty of inspiration to visitors of this beautiful state. To get started planning your Idaho adventure, start on Idaho’s Department of Tourism webpage, where you can see regional maps and read about things to do, places to stay, and travel tips.
For even more unforgettable scenes and to experience some of America’s most famous national parks, plan your visit to the world renowned Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, adjacent to each other and located just across the Idaho border (6-8 hour drive).