Payne County Audubon Society sponsors regular field trips and evening educational programs, a birding competition, a photo contest, and we even award annual research grants. Check out our Facebook group for a great place to share information, photos, and announcements relevant to birding and wildlife conservation right here in central Oklahoma.
All events are free and open to the public, non-members and members alike, and are beginner-friendly … Come join us!
(STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE PCAS EVENT DETAILS!)
Past Field Trips & Events
Woodcock Walk
Saturday, February 17, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Lake Carl Blackwell (map)
Alex Harman will lead a group to (hopefully) see American Woodcocks in action just after sunset. We might even encounter some owls.
The group will meet here at the north end of South Cimarron Rd, past the main LCB entrance on Hwy. 51. For those using google maps, the gps coordinates for the parking area are 36°06’30.9″N 97°13’46.9″W. Please note: It is approximately a 1 mile hike out to the Woodcock spot on a clay path, which can be very muddy after a rain. Rain date is Feb. 24.
Raptors of Drummond Flats
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 (map)
Weather-permitting, we will drive to Drummond Flats Wildlife Management Area in Drummond, Okla. (about an hour west) and bird until sunset (approx. 5:45 pm).
Tentative plan: Meet in west end of parking lot at west-side Walmart in Stillwater at 1:00 pm and caravan to Drummond Flats.
Drummond Flats WMA covers 5,122 acres in western Garfield county. Trip mostly involves birding from vehicles, slowly driving the perimeter and gravel/dirt roads with optional short hikes. Suggestions: Wear warm clothing, bring binoculars and camera. Expect to see a number of raptor species, possibly including Short-eared Owls. View eBird hotspot.
The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University
Saturday, April 29, 2023, 8:30-10:30 am (map)
Something for everyone … The Botanic Garden on Stillwater’s far west side rarely has flocks of birds, but it always turns up one or a few of about all the species that are in town at the time. It is an excellent choice for the beginning or intermediate birder. This bird walk is in conjunction with the Stillwater Library, which means a couple of things will be different. For one, there will be interactive headsets for intermediate birders. Also, sign-up for the event will he handled by the library. To join us, click here. For questions, please contact leader Les Imboden at quailrancher@yahoo.com.
Christmas Bird Counts
Planning Meeting Dec. 7
Join us for a meeting via Zoom (see sign-in link below) to discuss how to participate in the Stillwater and Sooner Lake counts. The Stillwater CBC will take place Saturday, Dec. 16, and the Sooner Lake CBC will be Saturday, Dec. 30 … Beginners welcome!
Topic: PCAS Christmas Bird Count planning meeting
Time: Dec 7, 2023 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://okstate-edu.zoom.us/j/96587297197?pwd=M0xBTUJVdGNXQStSenNBekVVQnlJQT09
Meeting ID: 965 8729 7197
Passcode: 244879
Pawnee Lake Driving Tour
Saturday, February 18, 2023, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Pawnee Lake, Pawnee, OK. Leisurely drive around Pawnee Lake Road (map)
We have visited Pawnee Lake a number of times over the past several years. Each trip has turned up unexpected birds, plus the usual avifauna we expect to encounter at a moderate size lake. Pawnee Lake is a nice combination of a large body of water with associated riparian areas, plus a good bit of old prairie that surrounds the lake. The trip will essentially be a slow drive on a road that generally encircles the lake. There will be short stops from time to time to take a better look or to scour the grasslands. The leader will set the departure point to be most convenient to registered attendees. To register, email Les Imboden at quailrancher@yahoo.com.
Sooner Lake: Bank Fishing Area
Saturday, December 10, 2022. 7:30-11:00am, (map)
Join us for an excursion at Sooner Lake. Our focus will be Smith’s Longspurs, but we will also check out ducks, geese, and gulls. We will be hiking approximately 3.5 miles of pastureland, so dress accordingly. We’ll meet at the gravel lot at the NE corner of Boomer Lake (c/o Airport and Husband) in Stillwater at 7:30am to arrange for carpooling. Or you can meet us at 8:00am at the parking lot at the east end of E0400 Rd. (Red Rock, OK 74651). For more information, please contact Mike Yough at myough@gmail.com (subject: PCAS birdwalk).
Sanborn Lake Bird Walk
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, 8:00-10:00 am (map)
Join the PCAS for a free, beginner-friendly bird walk to Sanborn Lake Park in Stillwater on Saturday, October 7th. Dr. Tim O’Connell will lead folks around the lake with the goal of getting good looks at as many species of birds as we can find. This should be a prime time of year to find a great variety of migrant birds moving through. We’ll gather at the main parking area to begin the walk at 8:00 am. Please join us!
Sooner Lake: Bank Fishing Area
Saturday, November 18, 2023. 7:30-11:00am, (map)
Join us for an excursion at Sooner Lake. Our focus will be Smith’s Longspurs, but we will also check out ducks, geese, and gulls. We will be hiking approximately 3.5 miles of pastureland, so dress accordingly. We’ll meet at the gravel lot at the NE corner of Boomer Lake (c/o Airport and Husband) in Stillwater at 7:30am to arrange for carpooling. Or you can meet us at 8:00am at the parking lot at the east end of E0400 Rd. (Red Rock, OK 74651). For more information, please contact Mike Yough: myough@gmail.com (subject: PCAS birdwalk).
Meridian Technology Ponds
Saturday, November 12, 2022. 8:00-10:00am, (map)
Join us for a bird walk at the Meridian Technology Ponds (6th and Sangre). The focus will be on Canada/Cackling Goose and Eastern/Western Meadowlark identification. Meet at the main parking area
Hoyt Grove Park for Beginners
Sunday, May 29, 2022. 9:00-11:00 am, Hoyt Grove Park scouting recent migrants (map)
Hoyt Grove Park is located north across 12th St. from Couch Park. Week in and week out it has proven to be one of Stillwater’s better birding spots, with the occasional seasonal surprise. This beginner’s bird walk will be in conjunction with the Stillwater Public Library, and registration will be through them. To register, please visit www.library.stillwater.org. For more information on the walk, please contact Les Imboden at quailrancher@yahoo.com.
Pawnee Lake Driving Tour
Saturday, March 26, 2022, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Pawnee Lake, Pawnee, OK. Leisurely drive around Pawnee Lake Road (map)
Over the years this seldom-birded lake has produced some interesting surprises. Species encountered tend to be a blend of prairie and water-related birds. The group will meet at an agreeable central point in Stillwater (TBD) to caravan over to the lake. Registration is required. RSVP to Les Imboden at quailrancher@yahoo.com for more information and Stillwater meeting location.
Woodcocks and Owls
Saturday, February 26, 5:30 – 8:00 pm, Lake Carl Blackwell (map)
The focus of the walk will be American Woodcocks and several species of owl. Registration required. RSVP Landon Neumann at landon.neumann10@okstate.edu for more information.
Raptors of Drummond Flats
Meet at west Walmart (map) in Stillwater at 1:00 pm.
Drive to Drummond Flats (about an hour drive west). Mostly driving on dirt roads with optional short hikes. Wear warm clothing, bring binoculars and camera. We expect to see lots of raptor species, possibly including Short-eared Owls. Registration is required. RSVP Kevin Wilson at kevin.s.wilson@okstate.edu for more information.
31st Sooner Lake Christmas Bird Count
Sunday, January 2, 2022
All Day/Times dependent on group
Mostly driving, some walking as needed
Full details here!
74th Stillwater Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 18, 2021
All Day/Times dependent on group
Driving and/or walking, depending on group
Full details here!
November Bird Walk
Saturday, November 20, 2021
8:00 – 10:00 am
Sanborn Lake (map)
Leisurely stroll, including dirt and gravel pathways
Masks encouraged
The focus of the walk will be winter arrivals. We’ll meet at 8AM in the parking lot just off the lake. Sanborn Lake is on the south side of Airport Rd. between Washington St. and Stillwater Regional Airport. Space is limited to 15. Register here.
Fall Butterfly Walk
October 9, 2021 10:00-11:30am
OSU Botanic Garden (map)
Leisurely stroll, including gravel pathways
PCAS has partnered with the Stillwater Public Library and their Tails and Trails program for this butterfly walk, led by our very own Emily Geest. Space is limited and registration is required. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Registration information will be posted closer to the event and will be through the Stillwater Public Library.
September Bird Walk
Saturday, Sept 18, 2021
8:00-10:00am
Hoyt Grove and Couch Park (map)
Leisurely stroll, including dirt, gravel, and grassy pathways
Masks encouraged
The focus of the walk will be fall migrants. We’ll meet at 8AM in the Hoyt Grove Parking lot. Hoyt Grove is on the north side of 12th Ave less than half a mile east of Perkins Rd. Space is limited to 15. Masks encouraged. Register here.
Summer Butterfly Walk
Rescheduled to July 11, 2021
10:00-11:30am
OSU Botanic Garden (map)
Leisurely stroll, including gravel pathways
PCAS has partnered with the Stillwater Public Library and their Tails and Trails program for this butterfly walk, led by our very own Emily Geest and Leslie Miller. Space is limited and registration is required. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Register here.
McPherson Preserve Field Trip
Saturday, June 5, 2021
7:20-7:30am Meet Up
McPherson Preserve (Payne County)
2 mile hike over rough terrain
We’ll meet at the “west side Walmart” (4545 W 6th) to workout car-pooling to McPherson (which has limited parking), leaving promptly at 7:30. McPherson is across from the entrance to Lake Carl Blackwell east of Hackelman and south of 19th. The trip will entail an approximately two mile hike through wooded terrain, so you’ll want to prepare for ticks, poison ivy, and stepping over a fallen log or two. We can expect many woodland birds (e.g., Indigo Buntings, Summer Tanager) with hopes of Kentucky Warbler. Contact Mike Yough (mike.yough@okstate.edu) for more information.
May Bird Walk
Saturday, May 15, 2021
10:00-11:30am
OSU Botanic Garden (map)
Leisurely stroll, including gravel pathways
PCAS has partnered with the Stillwater Public Library and their Tails and Trails program for this bird walk, led by our own Les Imboden. Space is limited and registration is required. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Register here.
Past field trips are archived here.
PCAS 