When you think of birds in Dungeness Bay during late August and early September, what species immediately comes to mind? California Gulls, of course. 

Most people—even children—can identify the tall, slate‑gray wading bird we call the Great Blue Heron, but few of us have ever been close to one—or wanted to be, perhaps.

The calendar might say summer, but August is shorebird migration season, when we focus on magical flocks of shorebirds returning from their nesting areas around North America.

This video shares Part I of our July 16 Purple Martin program—a classroom session filled with stories, science, and 26 years of local data from OPAS’s long‑running conservation project.

Have you ever stepped outside, heard a sweet bird song or a raspy croak, and wondered what on earth could be making that sound? So have I. Ida amazes me with how many birds she can identify by ear.

OPAS made the news in the June 17, 2026 issue of the Sequim Gazette, featuring a photo of Bob Boekelheide, who delivered the OPAS Natural Sciences Scholarship Award 2026 to two Sequim High School winners—Elaina Drennen and Laila Sundin.

The voice on the phone sounded perplexed. “You’re the bird lady, right? Well, I don’t know what kind of bird this is, but I think it must be hurt, because it’s just sitting there flat on the ground, not standing up at all.”

On June 17, OPAS recorded the “Partners in Birding” program on Zoom, where the Conservation Award, Career Achievement in Conservation Award, and Harlequin Award were presented…

Ken Wiersema’s June 6 Backyard Birding program is a warm, lively look back at more than five decades of learning, teaching, and hands‑on conservation.

I like to write stories with endings that leave the reader—and me—feeling good. After all, there are enough sad stories to go around.

Members can take pride in the steady growth of the OPAS Scholarships Program over the past three award seasons. Since inception in 2024, OPAS has been gifting the Natural Sciences Scholarship Award to a select number of graduating high school seniors…

At our May 2 Backyard Birding program, Bob Boekelheide treated us to a fascinating look at “Bird Migration Stories,” highlighting the remarkable journeys of Neotropical migrants that return to Clallam County each spring.

Let's restore pollinator habitat one yard at a time! With more than 85% of households having outdoor living space, together we can make a significant impact for the pollinators and other wildlife that need our support. 

Birds have long been able to shift their ranges in response to weather, heat, food availability, or habitat loss. But with climate change accelerating, National Audubon set out to measure how well birds are adapting…

Imagine crawling through tall grass, reaching into dark burrows in search of a puffin—hoping for soft feathers rather than the snap of a powerful bill. These bright‑beaked “clowns of the sea” may look charming, but…