Ken Wiersema writes about the latest news about the Dungeness River Center, our OPAS Leaders' Retreat, the BirdFest ’24 update and planning for ‘25, and Education upcoming previews.
Protection Island Nest Box Check
On July 17th, Ken, Dow and Dee Renee caught a boat ride with USFW staff Adam and Mallory for a quick check of the 13 Purple Martin (PUMA) nest boxes on Protection Island. It was a beautiful morning with cool breezes on the water, and lingering clouds that made one wonder if dry lightening was in the forecast.
Purple Martin Nest Box Check
Backyard Birding: Purple Martins Video
"Bottoms Up! How Diving Birds Survive and Thrive in the Salish Sea" Video
Long-tailed Ducks - Photo by Bob Boekelheide
At our June 19 meeting and presentation, Bob Boekelheide describes and shares videos of how water birds pursue prey below the surface, using their wings and/or feet for propulsion. Local diving birds include loons, grebes, murres, guillemots, auklets, cormorants, and diving ducks. Some go all the way to the bottom to capture prey like mollusks and crustaceans, whereas others capture fish and other organisms in the middle of the water column. How do they do it? How deep can they go? How do their bodies cope with the physiological changes as they head into the abyss and then return to the surface? Bob provides you with answers to these questions and more.
The OPAS Harlequin and Conservation Awards were also presented this evening. Learn who were recognized for these special awards and their contributions.
