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 “
Category Archives: Bird Watching
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”
Christmas Bird Count Needs You!
by Ken Pitts Thomas Meinzen and Bob Archer have taken the reigns for running the Christmas Bird Count in our area. Your participation is needed for the continued success of this program. If you are interested, please fill out the form and submit it. The count date is Sunday, January 4, 2026.
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”
TAKE A MORNING WALK
By Beth Marlin Lichter That is my prescription for anyone who is weighed down by malaise. Whether you are suffering from loss of a loved one or pet, have work or housing woes, are experiencing the effects of extreme weather, or are weighed down by any number of other reasons to be depressed, taking aContinue reading “TAKE A MORNING WALK “
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”
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”