Category Archives: Bird Watching

If You Are Headed to the Coast, Share the Shore!

brought to our attention by Don Rose Western Snowy Plovers, Horned Larks, and other wildlife use the sandy beach habitat. Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) suggests taking these steps to help keep plovers and other coastal wildlife safe:–Respect closures: Do not walk into the dunes beyond posted closure signs.    –Dogs + Birds = Problems. Keep dogsContinue reading “If You Are Headed to the Coast, Share the Shore!”

Birds of a Feather – Taking Your Legislators Out Birding 

Submitted by Don Rose One of the best ways to keep birds and habitat at the forefront of our legislators’ minds is to invite them birding. Join Washington Audubon for this month’s Birds of a Feather peer learning session with Audubon Washington’s contract lobbyist and a guest from National Audubon’s government affairs team joining to share insightsContinue reading “Birds of a Feather – Taking Your Legislators Out Birding “

Project Phoenix Needs Volunteers

submitted by Don Rose Project Phoenix 2025 – Volunteers Needed Spread the word about Project Phoenix! This community science project monitors how birds respond to wildfire smoke thanks to volunteers who conduct 10-minute bird surveys once a week during fire season (July 1–Nov 30).   Here’s how you can help: 1) Learn more at Birds Connect Seattle’s event overContinue reading “Project Phoenix Needs Volunteers”

VAS 3rd Annual Summer Solstice Event

by Tom Tinsley Albeit the 2025 Summer Solstice actually occurred on Friday June 20 th at 7:42 pm. On Tuesday June 24 th the Vancouver Audubon Society (VAS) held its 3rd annual Summer Solstice gathering. For those who don’t know, the summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. ManyContinue reading “VAS 3rd Annual Summer Solstice Event”

Sunnyside Environmental School Visits Steigerwald

By Mae and Ruby We are middle school students from Sunnyside Environmental School in Portland.  Recently (May 29, 2025) we went on a field trip to Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge with Ken Pitts as our guide.  We learned quite a bit about the birds that live there. The experience was magical. We got toContinue reading “Sunnyside Environmental School Visits Steigerwald”

Backyard Wilson’s Warblers

by Lynne Heidsiek Tattered, exhausted and hungry. It’s hard to imagine what this tiny warbler endures on its long migration. You can see the feather damage in this female, as she makes use of a water feature. Wilson’s Warblers breed in areas specific to their winter locations. Most breed in the far North. Those that breedContinue reading “Backyard Wilson’s Warblers”

May 10th VAS Bird Walk

by Ken Pitts Burnt Bridge Creek Trail at Devine Road was a great place to be on May 10th at 7:00 am. When Cheri Gavin and I arrived to lead the walk, American Robins were singing. Black-headed Grosbeaks also seemed to be competing for the most dominant song of the morning! I think the grosbeaksContinue reading “May 10th VAS Bird Walk”

South TX Bird Photography

By Ken Pitts I had the privilege of traveling with Steve Bredthauer to the coast of South Texas for eight days in early April of photographing some unique birds inhabiting the areas from Austin, to Port Lavaca, Port Aransas, North and South Padre Islands, Rio Grande Valley, and finally San Antonio. Our focus was reallyContinue reading “South TX Bird Photography”

A PAIR OF WESTERN BLUEBIRDS CHASE AWAY THE BLUES 

 Photo Essay by Beth Marlin Lichter  According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Champoeg State Heritage Area near Newberg, Oregon is home to the northernmost spot in the continental United States, where resident pairs of Western Bluebirds have been spotted. I can happily say that yes, there is a male and female using one of theContinue reading “A PAIR OF WESTERN BLUEBIRDS CHASE AWAY THE BLUES “