Roosevelt Elk:

Elk breeding season, called "rut," takes place from early September through October. During this time, visitors can witness truly fascinating social behavior! The male, "bull," elk, which can weigh up to 1000 lbs., emits a very loud, shrill "bugling" call designed to declare his dominance over a harem of female elk, or "cows." The bull gathers his harem, and then must protect it from all intruders. He may shake and lock his horns in large branches or act aggressively towards other bulls in a show of dominance. Following mating season, the herd returns to a matriarchal society.

Elk typically avoid close contact with humans and move away when approached. However they may show signs of agitation if humans get too close or when people or cars block their paths. Bulls can be particularly aggressive during rutting season.
Visitors are advised to use caution at all times.

Elk are most visible in the evening and early morning. Be sure to look in all open, park-like areas!

Olympic National Park's Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center is located about 14 miles south of Forks and 18.5 miles up the Hoh River Road. About 200 Roosevelt elk live in the Hoh River Valley; most of them move into the park during the fall. The Hoh Campground herd is perhaps the easiest to see and hear. It roams in and around the campground - specifically, in Loops A and C, the picnic area, near the visitor center and on the islands in the river.

The Quinault Rain Forest is located about 52 miles south of the Hoh River Road on US Highway 101 at Amanda Park. Look for Roosevelt elk feeding in the meadows on Lake Quinault's North and South Shore Roads, east of US 101.

The Peninsula town of Sequim is home to approximately 100 Roosevelt elk that consider the Sequim area part of their range. Favorite grazing and viewing locations appear to be along Happy Valley Road and the surrounding hills, West Sequim Bay Road, Palo Alto Road, and north toward Port Williams Road.

Some of the Sequim elk wear transmitting radio collars. The Washington Department of Fish &Wildlife monitors the herd by using portable receivers with directional antennas. In addition, collar signals are sent to an innovative system of receivers along Highway 101 just east and south of Sequim. These receivers pick up the elk signals, triggering flashing lights on elk crossing signs to warn motorists when elk are close enough to be a collision danger.

Quilcene and Brinnon are neighboring small towns nestled along scenic Hood Canal on the eastern edge of the Olympic National Forest. Here, approximately 220 elk migrate up and down the Dosewallips, Ducabush and Hamma Hamma Rivers in three herds. In the fall, the elk can be viewed from US 101, wandering amongst the tide flats and foraging in salt marshes.

Information gathered from the Washington Nature Weekends Book by Sunny Walter & Janet O'Mara, and Destination Sequim at www.visitsun.com.

The River Center is home to many exhibits, over 250 life-mount birds & mammals, a gift shop, interpretive programs, library, most comprehensive information on the Olympic Peninsula bird populations which includes great information on other area marine and wildlife.

Starting October 16 Salmon fishing on the river is open. Check with Washington State Regulations.

The hatchery is located 13 miles northeast of Forks:

From Highway 101: turn onto Clark Road, then right on Pavel Road. The hatchery is located at the end of the road. Call for more information.

The Sol Duc Salmon Hatchery has interpretive displays, river access and picnic areas. In the fall, adult fish can be seen in the trap located past the water-cooling tower and large pond toward the river.

Sol Duc Hatchery combines fish production facilities with a comprehensive interpretive center. Get an overview of how the hatchery process is designed to increase and protect the future of our fisheries, as well as see hatchery staff in action.
Visit the Sol Duc Hatchery Interpretive Center to learn about salmon on the Olympic Peninsula.

Check Here for Licensing & Regulations:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/formpage.htm

2007-2008 Sport Fishing Rule Pamphlet:
http://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/erules/index.jsp

Information from these on-going walks helps us better understand the annual cycle of the birds of Railroad Bridge Park. All are welcome.

Please Pre-register

Fort Flagler State Park on Marrowstone Island. This Park always has a good variety of songbirds and water birds, as well as being a very attractive location for the many views across the water to Port Townsend, the Olympics, and the Cascades.

Meet either at the Park & Ride in Port Townsend (next to Safeway) at 8 AM, or meet at the Fort Flagler State Park beach parking lot (next to the campground) at 8:40 AM. Please pre-register with leader, Ken Wilson.

From "krummholtz" to "spruce bottoms," he gives life to the stately monarchs that give the Pacific Northwest its character.

The latest edition of his wonderful book will be on sale after his talk.

The Elwha River mouth is the place for Thayer's Gulls during fall and winter, arriving from their breeding areas in the Canadian arctic. Seabirds, loons, grebes, and marine ducks are target species.

We invite adults and children to purchase and/or make gifts that appeal to nature lovers and wildlife alike.

Center volunteers will assist with crafts, making wreaths and swags out of natural materials, and purchasing that "Perfect Gift."

Spiced cider and holiday goodies as well!

Our official tally and annual chili feed for counters takes place at the River Center beginning at 5 p.m.

Call Bob Boekelheide to sign up for the count!

This two day class begins with a Friday evening presentation, then a Saturday field trip to local habitats to witness these hunters in action.
Please pre-register: limit 18

Spring migration brings clouds of shorebirds to sandy beaches - Dunlin, Sanderlings, and Western Sandpipers - and to rocky coasts - Black Turnstones, Surfbirds, and Wandering Tattlers. In summer, Marbled Murrelets and Bald Eagles nest in old-growth firs, American Dippers bob on glacial streams, and Yellow Warblers sing in wetland willows. Fall berries feed Cedar Waxwings. Winter features waterfowl extravaganzas on fresh and saltwater.