Field Trips

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The Piedmont Bird Club schedules a wide variety of field trips throughout the year, to birding locations in the Piedmont area and the broader region. Most local trips are just for the morning or day; trips that venture farther afield may stretch over several days. Field trips are led by knowledgeable birders from the Club; we encourage birders of all experience levels to attend. Unless otherwise noted, field trips are free and open to the public.

In addition to the scheduled field trips, which are organized in June, at the beginning of the Club year, the Club occasionally offers “impromptu” field trips to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity. PBC members are notified of these impromptu trips via the Club’s email list.

Participating in a PBC Field Trip

When considering participation in a field trip, be sure to consult the full trip description found on the website and in our newsletter. In addition to describing the location and the likely birds to be seen, the trip description will also contain important information about any limitations or restrictions, such as limit to number of persons or vehicles; presence of challenging walking terrain; or deadline for registering for the trip.

To register for a field trip, contact the trip leader listed in the description. The leader will provide accurate up-to-date information about meeting location and time, and other pertinent information about the trip.

Be sure to wear clothing and shoes appropriate for the terrain and weather. It is generally useful to bring binoculars and a field guide, if you have them. This is not a requirement, though; others on the trip are usually happy to share. If you expect to want food or drink during the trip, be sure to bring it with you, along with appropriate means to carry any trash or leftovers until they can be disposed of properly.

Field Trip Code of Birding Ethics

All participants in PBC field trips are expected to abide by the following general principles:
  1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.
  2. Respect the law and rights of others.
  3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird environments are safe.

Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care
  1. Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders.
  2. Share your knowledge and experience.
  3. Be helpful to beginning birders.
  4. Keep groups to a size that limits the impact on the environment.
  5. Consider wearing neutral or drab colors when birding. Do not wear white

Field Trip Safety

The Piedmont Bird Club intends that participants enjoy a safe experience in all activities sponsored by the Club. To this end participants should to do the following:
  1. Review all relevant information and discuss any safety concerns with the leader(s).
  2. Provide appropriate clothing, provisions and necessary equipment.
  3. Comply with precautions noted by leaders at the outset or during the events.
  4. Note and comply with any safety/warning notices posted along trails or other sites of PBC activities.
  5. Err on the side of caution when in doubt.
  6. Inform the trip leader of any unsafe condition of which you become aware.

                            Safety is a top priority.

Schedule of Field Trips for 2016-2017

Now posted on the PBC Website Calendar