Category Archives: Bird Watching

Short-eared Owls

Photos and Text by Isaac Lang After arriving in America, one of the birds that I desperately wanted to see again was the Short-eared Owl. The only time that I was able to lock eyes on one was when my dad and I saw a pair of them fly between two patches of forest inContinue reading “Short-eared Owls”

I’m Just So Glad You Are Here (Song of the White-crowned Sparrow) 

Photos and Text by Beth Marlin Lichter  Still in the honeymoon stage of birding, I would call myself an advanced novice. Every bird is an uncommon bird.  I get excited about a good photo of an American Robin with a berry in its beak.  Every species is unique with skills and behaviors worthy of observation.   BirdingContinue reading “I’m Just So Glad You Are Here (Song of the White-crowned Sparrow) “

RECAP: First of the Month Bird Walk at Salmon Creek Greenway

By Sam Cable A gentle and intermittent drizzle paired with a cold, gray morning did not stop 13 observers from recording 51 species over 3 hours on our First of the Month Bird Walk led by Cindy McCormack. Leaving from the parking lot we wound our way around the softball facility whose manicured grass lawnsContinue reading “RECAP: First of the Month Bird Walk at Salmon Creek Greenway”

Magnificent Escapees: The Red-whiskered Bulbul 

Photos and Text by Beth Marlin Lichter  The Red-whiskered Bulbul is native to eastern India and Burma and has been a principal species in the Asian caged bird trade. In 1960, escapees from an aviary in Miami adapted well to living locally in the wild. Bulbuls thrive on insects, fruit-bearing shrubs, and the berries of warm weather exotic trees. Florida checks all the boxes with plentiful food sources and a lush ideal habitat for these birds.  In 1967 a Red-whiskered Bulbul flock (more escapees) took up residency at HuntingtonContinue reading “Magnificent Escapees: The Red-whiskered Bulbul “

November 1st VAS Bird Walk

By Tom Tinsley Despite the very wet and occasionally breezy conditions, thirteen dedicated PNW birders joined Cindy McCormack for Vancouver Audubon’s November first of month bird walk. Our walk began in the Vancouver Water Resources building parking lot with a quick round of introductions. We then headed for the Columbia River on the waterfront trailContinue reading “November 1st VAS Bird Walk”

Vaux’s Swift Viewing

By Susan Saul The southward migrating Vaux’s swifts have abandoned Chapman School in Portland, but that does not mean you are without viewing opportunities. Down the Columbia River from Vancouver, the chimney at the Riverside Community Church in Rainier, Oregon, has hosted up to 25,000 Vaux’s swifts during migrations since the chimney was uncapped andContinue reading “Vaux’s Swift Viewing”

Winter Raptor Survey Route Available

By Don Rose I have been doing the Washougal-Fern Prairie Winter Raptor Survey for the past 3 years. I will be unable to do this survey starting this year and I am looking for someone who is willing to take this route. Jeff Fleischer did a presentation to VAS a few years ago describing theContinue reading “Winter Raptor Survey Route Available”

Pelagic Trip Sept. 20-22

Westport, WA and other locations in southwest Washington While the pelagic trip on 9/21 is full, there are openings for birding near Westport the day before on 9/20, after the boat trip ends around 4pm on 9/21 to join the group around Grays Harbor, and heading home on 9/22 to Midway Beach, Tokeland and around WillapaContinue reading “Pelagic Trip Sept. 20-22”