Our Mission

The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society promotes birding and habitat conservation through science-based education, advocacy, and stewardship.

April Harlequin Happenings Newsletter

(Please note that OPAS is now sending a monthly email newsletter instead of publishing a separate bi-monthly newsletter. Read about our April events and articles and click on the “Learn More” links. A link of this newsletter will be posted on the Newsletter Page of the OPAS website for future reading.)

April Events

Marsh Wren singing. Photo: Craig Goettsch/Audubon Photography Awards

OPAS Backyard Birding: “Sounds of Spring”
Presenters: Dow Lambert & Ken Wiersema
Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. to noon
Dungeness River Nature Center
Suggested Donation: $5

Each April we enjoy and welcome our Backyard Birding program “Sounds of Spring.” Features include audio and video recordings of veteran birder and photographer Dow Lambert, with the assistance of Ken Wiersema. Dow’s excellent local photos as well as his sound and video recordings will refresh and renew your knowledge of the bird songs and calls of spring heard throughout our local yards, fields, forests, and shores. Dow and Ken will also remind attendees of how to access and use a free Merlin Sound ID app offered by the Cornell Ornithology Lab.

Please join us for this popular, refreshing annual program.

LEARN MORE

Oiled Brown Pelican awaits cleaning. Photo: Kim Hubbard, Audubon

OPAS Program: “Wildlife Response During Large-scale Oil Spills”
Presenter: Barbara Callahan
Senior Director of Response and Preparedness Services, International Bird Rescue
Wednesday, April 16, 7:00 p.m.
Dungeness River Nature Center
Free to attend.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about wildlife rescue during large-scale oil spills. Join us for an engaging presentation by Barbara Callahan. With over 29 years of experience, Barbara has managed responses to more than 250 marine oil spills across over a dozen countries. Her work has been instrumental in saving thousands of aquatic birds and other impacted wildlife. In this presentation, she will discuss the effects of oil on wildlife and provide insights into the response process, including capture and medical stabilization.

LEARN MORE

Turkey Vulture by Dow Lambert

Backyard Birding: “Dislikable Birds”
Presented by Ken Wiersema
Saturday, April 26, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dungeness River Nature Center
Suggested donation: $5

(Please note that we have moved our May Backyard Birding event to April 26th and scheduled it for early afternoon. On June 7th, we’ll return to our usual schedule of the first Saturday at 10:00 AM.)

We all enjoy spotting hummingbirds, robins, swallows, and maybe even a Bald Eagle in our yards, but what about the birds we dislike? Join us as we explore an array of “dislikable” birds such as European Starlings, House Sparrows, crows, gulls, and vultures. Some of these birds are native, others introduced, and many thrive thanks to human activity. Bring your thoughts on which birds you enjoy welcoming into your yard—and those you’d rather not see! This lively program includes photos and videos of local birds.

LEARN MORE

Upcoming Birdathon May 10

2025 Clallam County Birdathon/World Migratory Bird Day

by Bob Boekelheide

May 10, 2025, is World Migratory Bird Day, a day to celebrate migratory birds. On that day, which occurs every year on the second Saturday in May, we hold our Clallam County Birdathon, counting birds throughout Clallam County and raising funds for OPAS projects at the same time. The theme of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day is the creation and support of bird-friendly communities. OPAS is leading the way in our area through the North Olympic Wildlife Habitat Project. Looking ahead, OPAS members will receive a Birdathon letter in late April or early May.

LEARN MORE

Featured Article

City of Port Angeles Proclamation

Conservation Matters

World Migratory Bird Day Proclamations and the State of Bird Conservation

by Joyce Volmut

World Migratory Bird Day highlights the urgent need to protect birds and their habitats. In recognition of this cause, the Conservation Committee requested, and the OPAS Board approved, that the City Councils of Sequim and Port Angeles proclaim May 10 as World Migratory Bird Day. These proclamations are a step toward raising awareness about the challenges birds face and inspiring action. Click on the Learn More link below to read more about the proclamations and about the recently released State of the Birds 2025 report.

LEARN MORE

From our News/Blog Page

Featured Ads

DONATE TO SUPPORT BIRDATHON

DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION

Visit our website at OLYMPIC PENINSULA AUDUBON SOCIETY