By Don Rose Every spring, Washington State’s Audubon Chapters, wildlife lovers, plant specialists, and their friends gather in the Wenas Valley, located on the east slope of the Cascade Mountains between Ellensburg and Yakima. With a variety of natural history and recreation opportunities, the Wenas Valley is a beautiful area that supports a fascinating assortment of springContinue reading “Wenas Campout May 30 – June 1”
Tag Archives: Birding
Ode to the Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus) By Beth Marlin Lichter I cannot say what I love mostPerched upon a wooden postOr flying sunlit overheadNo place I’d rather be instead A marshy field with ducks and preyWhere little voles get snatched awayBy owls and hawksA mid-air fight!Whilst day is turning into night Photos: Shillapoo Wildlife Area/Winter 2025-2026 by Beth MarlinContinue reading “Ode to the Short-eared Owl”
Young Birders & Cameraderie inspiring youth birdwatching & photography
By Isaac Lang (newest VAS board member) Ever since I started birding, I’ve always yearned to find peers who enjoy bird-watching just as much as I do. Upon joining the Wild Bird Society of Tainan, I quickly realized that the majority of birders were retired and their teenage years were long past them. After attendingContinue reading “Young Birders & Cameraderie inspiring youth birdwatching & photography”
VAS Community Outreach: Birding with Seniors on the Auto Route
By Beth Marlin Lichter On 12/11/25 Ken Pitts and I took senior residents from University Village in Vancouver, to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, River “S” Unit. This is the famous auto route, a 4-mile loop through diverse habitats, always a beautiful ride. Your vehicle is your blind this time of year, however between May 1st and September 30th one is permitted to exit the car along the route and walk the Kiwa Trail as well (unless aContinue reading “VAS Community Outreach: Birding with Seniors on the Auto Route”
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 “
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 “