In This Issue

Events:
August 2: OPAS Field Trip: Dungeness Bay—Early August Shorebirds, Gulls, and Waterfowl
August 30: OPAS Field Trip: Dungeness Bay—Late August Shorebirds, Gulls, and Waterfowl

Articles:
1. August President’s Notes—Adventures in Acopian String Theory
2. Conservation Matters—OPAS Funds new Seabird Rehabilitation Pool
3. August HabiTIPS!
4. Birding By Ear
5. 3 Crabs Purple Martin Field Trip
6. Save the Date: New Backyard Birding Series begins soon
7. Introducing Your New Newsletter Editor

Videos:
1. Purple Martin Program Video July 16

Bird-window collisions are a frustrating reality for many bird lovers, but they don't have to be inevitable. In this month's President's Notes, Matt McCoy shares the story of the McCoys' quest to reduce strikes at their own home using simple, inexpensive DIY Acopian BirdSavers (rows of hanging cords that help birds recognize glass as a barrier). With his trademark humor, Matt recounts the project's mishaps, woodworking adventures, and surprising success, while offering an easy, bird-friendly solution that anyone can try. Read the full article to see how a few strings can make a life-saving difference.

Click here to continue reading
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When an injured seabird arrives for care, the right facilities can make all the difference. Discover how OPAS helped fund a new seabird rehabilitation pool for Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue (DBWBR) near Port Townsend that will enhance recovery for Washington's coastal birds and support the dedicated work of wildlife rehabilitators.

Continue reading & watch a video of the new pool
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Dungeness Bay—Early August Shorebirds, Gulls, and Waterfowl
Leader: Bob Boekelheide
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Meet at Three Crabs WDFW parking lot at 7:30 A.M
Number of participants: 15—Registration required
Cost: Free

Currently, this field trip is full, but a waitlist is available.

Shorebird migration is in full swing in early August, and Dungeness Bay is one of the best places to watch it unfold. Expect an exciting mix of shorebirds, water birds, and the ever-charming gulls gathering on the mudflats and estuary at the mouth of the Dungeness River. We’ll begin by surveying the birds at Three Crabs, then continue to Dungeness Landing County Park on Oysterhouse Road off Marine Drive.

Access to Three Crabs beach requires stepping over a few drift logs, but Dungeness Landing Park is accessible to all. If you have a spotting scope, bring it—there will be plenty of activity and great opportunities to practice identification.

Click here to learn more and register
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OPAS Field Trip: Dungeness Bay—Late August Shorebirds, Gulls, and Waterfowl
Leader: Bob Boekelheide
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Meet at Three Crabs WDFW parking lot at 7:30 AM
Number of participants: 15—Registration required
Cost: Free

Shorebird migration is in full swing as summer transitions to fall, and Dungeness Bay is one of the best places to watch it unfold. We’ll look for an exciting mix of shorebirds, water birds, and the ever-charming gulls that gather on the mudflats and estuary at the mouth of the Dungeness River. We’ll begin by surveying the birds at Three Crabs, then continue to Dungeness Landing County Park on Oysterhouse Road off Marine Drive.

Access to Three Crabs beach requires stepping over a few drift logs, but Dungeness Landing Park is accessible to all. If you have a spotting scope, bring it—there will be plenty of activity and great opportunities to practice identification.

Click here to learn more and register
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Learning to identify birds by sound opens up an entirely new dimension of birding. This article offers practical tips for training your ears to recognize songs and calls, helping you detect birds that may never come into view. Whether you're just beginning or hoping to sharpen your listening skills, you'll discover that the birds you hear can reveal as much as the birds you see. Read the full article and start building your birding-by-ear confidence.

Click here to continue reading
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On July 16th, 14 enthusiastic birders braved rain and wind to conduct the third census of the 18 Purple Martin tide flat nest boxes at 3 Crabs. We were excited to have John Gussman and Cath join us to take some drone photos of the outing.

Click here to read the full post and see census results
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Catch the classroom portion of our July 16 Purple Martin program, including a special video that follows a martin’s incredible journey all the way to South America and back. It’s a fascinating look at how OPAS has supported these birds for 26 years.

If you’ve ever wondered how far these birds travel, how they choose a nest site, or how our local efforts connect to their survival, this is a good place to start. Settle in and enjoy the adventure.

Watch the video
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Backyard Birding Series: Bird-Friendly Communities
Saturday, September 5, 2026
10:00 AM at Dungeness River Nature Center

Please mark your calendars for the start of the OPAS Backyard Birding 2026-2027 season! The first program will focus on how to make outdoor spaces bird friendly. Come learn how to create habitats that attract a wide variety of bird species—and how to protect them with window treatments, lighting techniques, and predator protections designed to keep our backyard birds safe.

Details to follow soon at the OPAS Events webpage. Stay tuned.
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Hello! I'm Kristy Henderson, the new OPAS newsletter editor. I discovered OPAS through my growing passion for birding and wildlife photography, and I'm excited to help tell the stories of the people, birds, and conservation efforts that make this organization special.

Outside of work, you'll usually find me with a camera in hand somewhere on the Olympic Peninsula, hoping the birds cooperate.

I'm looking forward to getting to know our members and helping make the newsletter an informative and enjoyable way to stay connected.

Special thanks to Mary for showing me the newsletter ropes and helping with the proofreading and formatting.