Winter raptors are arriving and moving through our area. When you get to know them and learn about their fascinating lives, you will forget about the shorter, darker days of winter!
The Skagit Flats is one of the best places in the country to see winter raptors. Join Sue Cottrell for a 5-week class to learn about the raptors we have in western Washington with a focus on our winter migrants.
In person classes start Tuesday, January 6, 2026 and continue every Tuesday at 7 pm until February 3, 2026.
Zoom classes start Wednesday, January 7 and continue every Wednesday at 7 pm until February 4, 2026.
This class will teach you about the 15 species of diurnal raptors that can be found in western WA, emphasizing field identification and the particularly fascinating element of winter behavior. It will also cover raptor terminology, migration, the daily and annual cycle, birding ethics, equipment and raptor ID books and apps. Instructor Sue Cottrell has studied raptors and guided outdoor trips for over 30 years, and has a vast knowledge of local raptor populations. She moved to NW WA from Oregon in 1975 and now resides in the heart of winter raptor territory, the Samish Flats, near Bow, WA.
Class Details
Our in-person class will be offered at Padilla Bay Estuarine Research Center starting January 6, 2026. Class begins at 7 pm and runs approximately 1 1/2- 2 hours. This class includes an all day field trip on the Skagit Flats. Those dates will be determined by the second week of class. Access to the Zoom recordings will be available to all in-person participants for at least 8 weeks after the last class. Price is $175.
In person class dates are January 6, 13, 20, 27, February 3
Address of Padilla Bay Estuarine Research Center – 10441 Bayview Edison Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
For those unable to attend in-person, there will also be a Zoom class offered starting on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Class starts at 7 pm and runs approximately 1 1/2 hours. Classes will be recorded and available for viewing for at least 8 weeks after the last class. The cost for the Zoom class is $100 per person. Space on an all day field trip may be available for an additional fee.
Zoom class dates are January 7, 14, 21, 28, February 4
In an effort to support the habitat that these birds rely on, 5% from each class participant will be donated to the Skagit Land Trust. – https://www.skagitlandtrust.org
To complete your registration, send check, along with email address and phone number to Raptor Studies NW, P.O. Box 85, Bow, WA 98232. Or pay by PayPal.
Contact Sue at raptorstudiesnw@gmail.com with any questions.
Funds from this class go toward supporting the research projects of Raptor Studies Northwest, including an American Kestrel Nest Box project in Skagit, Whatcom, Douglas, Okanogan and Chelan counties along with work banding raptors before release that have been rehabbed at the Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Center.
Raptor Studies Northwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Raptor Studies Northwest 