Belted Kingfisher, photographed by Bob Cashen

Trip Description: Meet other bird and nature lovers at Plese Flats on the Spokane River in Riverside State Park. Featured attractions are flowing water, Ponderosa Pines, spring flowers and unpredictable birds!

Information About the Outing:

This is an informal event, so come when you can, leave when you must.  All are welcome! The trip leaders aim to provide a safe, accessible and inclusive experience.  This outing has been specifically designed so that those with mobility or standing challenges can enjoy birding together.  

5:30pm: Gather for Introductions birding basics and binocular use for anyone interested.

Sit and bird together or wander the area (binoculars available to borrow)

7:15pm-ish: Regather to share sightings and observations, questions and wrap up

Leader:   Wanda Peters, Experience: Career as Outdoor Educator, trip leader, Certified Accessible Bird Outing Leader

Co-leader: Mary Marsh, Experience: retired educator, experienced and passionate birder 

Please register by contacting Wanda Peters via email (wanda.peters@prescott.edu) or phone or text (425-922-6734). Registration is necessary so that we can notify you in case of weather cancellation or other changes, and also stay within our group size limit.

 Group Size limit  12

 What to Bring: 

• BYOBench! (Bring a chair or blanket and/or mobility device.) (We will have a few extra chairs and there are a few picnic tables)

• Food/Snacks if desired, water bottle, reusable cup (weather appropriate beverages in reusable cups will be provided to reduce waste.

• Binoculars if desired. We will have some to borrow

• Weather appropriate clothing including a warm layer and hat for dropping temperatures

• Things to help with your comfort to enjoy a Spring evening outside

• Sunglasses if needed 

 Information about the location:

• The parking area is paved and mostly flat. There is one designated accessible parking spot.

• If you need a van with a ramp accessible spot, please let us know when you register

• There is ample non-paved (packed sandy gravel with pine needles and cones) flat space to enjoy watching for Mergansers, Belted Kingfishers, Ospreys, Ravens and more. 

• There is one picnic table with pavement to it and around it with views of the river. The other picnic tables are on sandy gravel surfaces and no paved path. 

• There is a vault toilet with a door opening of 34 inches.

• A state parks Discover Pass is required. One can be checked out prior to the event from any of the library systems or a day pass purchased online (discoverpass.wa.gov) or at local outdoor retailers.

Directions: (https://maps.apple/p/U2tiwhRuLrgjUW) From NW Spokane either head west on Francis or north on Driscoll/Assembly until it becomes Highway 291/Nine Mile Road.

At the merging intersection of Francis/Driscoll/Assembly follow Highway 291/Nine Mile Road north for about 1.9 miles.

Turn left on Parkway Road.

Turn left onto Aubrey White Parkway. It is narrow and shared by bicyclists.

In about 0.6 miles Plese Flats will be on your right. Make a sharp right turn through the gate and into the parking lot.

There is one designated accessible parking spot. Please indicate if you will need space for accessible vehicle parking when registering.

The photo above shows the accessible parking area to the paved path to the picnic table, with river and forest in the background.

The photo shows the information kiosk and a paved path to a vault toilet, which has the door propped open. Trees are in the background.