In This Issue

Events:
October 3: OPAS Backyard Birding: “Preparing the Winter Backyard Habitat”
October 7: OPAS & Dungeness River Center present: An Evening with Lyanda Lynn Haupt
October 17: OPAS Field Trip: Port Williams and Gibson Spit
October 21: OPAS Program: “Olympic Coast Exploration Center—Design in Progress!”

Articles:
1. October President’s Notes: A House Divided Will Fail. Death By A Thousand Cuts.
2. October HabiTIPS!
3. Fall bird migration nears its peak. Turning lights out can help.
4. Dungeness Bay Late August Field Report
5. “Birds of a Feather”

Videos:
1. The Feather Wars: And the Great Crusade to Save America’s Birds Video
2. Backyard Birding: “Bird-Friendly Communities Video

Critical protections for wildlife and wild places are facing changes that could have lasting consequences—including here on the Olympic Peninsula. In this month’s President’s Notes, Matt McCoy examines proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act and the Roadless Rule, and why seemingly incremental rollbacks can add up to profound losses.

These protections safeguard far more than individual species—they help preserve intact forests, watersheds, and the interconnected habitats birds and other wildlife depend on. Once those protections are weakened, the effects can ripple across entire ecosystems. Matt looks at why paying attention now, while these changes are being considered, matters.

Read why these changes matter—and what could be at stake.

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OPAS Backyard Birding: “Preparing the Winter Backyard Habitat”
Presenter: Christie Lassen, Wild Birds Unlimited, Gardiner, WA
Saturday, October 3, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Dungeness River Nature Center
Suggested Donation: $5.00

As cooler weather approaches, give your backyard birds a helping hand! Join Christie Lassen of Wild Birds Unlimited for a practical look at preparing your yard for winter visitors, including the special needs of Anna’s Hummingbirds and dozens of other birds. Learn how food, clean water, shelter, and the right feeders can help support the many bird species that call the Olympic Peninsula home year-round.

Learn More
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Program: An Evening with Lynada Lynn Haupt
Presenter: Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Sponsored by: Port Book and News
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 from 6:00pm—7:30pm
Rainshadow Hall, Dungeness River Nature Center
Free and open to the public. As space is limited RSVP is highly recommended in advance.

Join acclaimed naturalist, eco-philosopher, and bestselling author Lyanda Lynn Haupt for an evening celebrating her new book, Among the Birds: Field Notes from Cascadia. Haupt takes readers on a wandering journey through the Pacific Northwest’s avian world, weaving personal observations and natural history into stories of more than 70 resident and seasonal bird species.

The book features 85 color illustrations by acclaimed artist Justin Gibbens, whose richly detailed work blends realism and whimsy to capture the distinctive personalities of the birds Haupt encounters.

During the evening, Haupt will read from Among the Birds and share illustrations from the book on screen, followed by a conversation with Port Book and News and questions from the audience.

Learn More Here
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OPAS Field Trip: Port Williams and Gibson Spit
Leaders: Kathy McCoy & Michelle Meney
Saturday October 17, 2026—8:30 a.m. until noon
Limited to 12 participants
Registration required
Free to attend
Meet at the Marlyn Nelson County Park at Port Williams

Join us for a morning of birding at Port Williams and Gibson Spit, where we’ll look for loons, alcids, waterfowl, gulls, cormorants, and other winter birds along the shores of Sequim Bay. The group will walk south from Marlyn Nelson County Park along the shoreline and back—less than two miles total—focusing on birds on the water while also pausing for forest species near the park and the trees adjacent to the beach.

Dress for a beach walk and shifting fall weather, and bring binoculars, water, and a scope if you have one. A scope will be available to share.

Learn More and Register
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OPAS Program: "Olympic Coast Exploration Center—Design in Progress!"
Presenter: Melissa Williams, Executive Director, Olympic Coast Exploration Center
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Rainshadow Hall, Dungeness River Nature Center
Free to attend; donations appreciated
Note: Come early for cookies!

What goes into designing a new marine discovery center on the Olympic Coast? Join Melissa Williams for a behind-the-scenes look at the Olympic Coast Exploration Center and the ideas shaping this exciting new facility. Learn how the design will connect visitors with our region’s remarkable marine environment while incorporating thoughtful features for birds, wildlife, and sustainability.

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KUOW reporter John Ryan recently spoke with Patty Giffin, OPAS Conservation Committee member and DarkSky Olympic Peninsula board member, about how reducing artificial light can help migrating birds.

Fall migration through Washington state reaches its peak in late September and early October, according to the Cornell Lab. Bird experts say extinguishing or dimming lights, especially after 11 p.m., can help migrating birds stay on track.

Read or listen to John Ryan’s KUOW story linked below to learn more.

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Bob Boekelheide’s late August field trip at Dungeness Bay was quite the adventure. Thousands of California Gulls, a long-distance migrant from the Arctic, and a high-speed Peregrine Falcon chase made for a memorable day. Twenty birders explored Three Crabs and Dungeness Landing, tallying an even 50 species along the way.

Among the highlights was a juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper—on an incredible migration from the Arctic tundra to southern South America—along with hundreds of Black-bellied Plovers and some of the season’s last Purple Martins. And for those lucky enough to witness it, a determined dowitcher gave a pursuing Peregrine Falcon quite a run for its money.

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The September 16 OPAS program, The Feather Wars: And the Great Crusade to Save America’s Birds, is now available to watch online. In this recorded presentation, author and journalist James H. McCommons traces how the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon sparked a nationwide movement to protect birds and their habitats—from Boston parlors to Everglades mangroves and newspaper editorial pages. His talk highlights the remarkable coalition that helped launch America’s early bird‑protection efforts.

Watch the Video Here
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The September 5 Backyard Birding program, Bird‑Friendly Communities, is now available to watch on YouTube. Presenters Katja Bridwell, Patty Giffin, and Dee Renee Ericks introduce the three OPAS conservation initiatives—North Olympic Wildlife Habitat Project, Project BirdSafe, and Lights Out!—and share practical ways to make your home and neighborhood safer and more welcoming for birds. The session also marks the debut of Christie Lassen as the new Backyard Birding host.

Watch the Video Here
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