|
$$PLAIN_TEXT_PREVIEW$$
|
Our Mission The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society promotes birding and habitat conservation through science-based education, advocacy, and stewardship.
|
August Harlequin Happenings Newsletter
|
|
Read our past newsletters on the Newsletter page of the website. Although we pause OPAS meetings and programs during July and August, there’s still plenty of birding activity to enjoy! __________________
|
|
by Matt McCoy The Bluebird Man Who Touched Many Lives Al Larson was three when his parents moved to Idaho in the 1920s. Although his youth was spent in the sprawling communities of Cascade and Boise, he found himself working on ranches near Jordan Valley by his mid-teens. There he developed an appreciation for nature and spotted his first Mountain Bluebird. Although he went on to serve … Birding and sharing his love of nature were Al’s greatest passions. Al and two wildlife biologists with similar mindsets established the Golden Eagle Audubon Society (GEAS) in 1972. Their hard work and devotion helped the fledgling group flourish. If there was a job to do for the chapter, Al did it. Although he met his second wife Hilda on a gem club field trip, it was their … While walking in the woods near Hilda’s ranch north of Boise, Al noticed a Western Bluebird flying into a nest cavity. Aware of general bluebird population declines, he believed he could help Idaho’s bluebirds flourish using artificial nest boxes—as others had done in the East. Thus, a retirement career was born … Learn More __________________
|
Take Action to Save Irreplaceable Bird Science Programs
|
|
Peregrine Falcon - Photo: Bob Boekelheide The Bird Banding Lab and Breeding Bird Survey are two essential science programs run by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that help us understand birds. These programs reveal how our environment is changing, which species are declining, and where conservation action is most needed. They've contributed to the understanding and protection of countless species, like Prothonotary Warblers, Piping Plovers, and Peregrine Falcons. But funding for these programs, as well as much of USGS's biological research, is at risk of being cut. Urge Congress to keep these programs fully funded and invest in the science that protects birds and people. Take Action __________________
|
A Message from the Field Trip Chair
|
|
by Marie Grad August is typically a slow month for birding. The birds have stopped singing, this year’s chicks have fledged, and the adults are molting. This causes the songbirds to go quiet. So, the best birding this month is focused along the shoreline where migrating shorebirds are moving through in large numbers. On August 2nd and Sept. 1st Bob Boekelheide is leading shorebird field trips to 3 Crabs and Dungeness landing. Both trips start at 7:30 a.m. Kathy McCoy has a field trip to Tongue Point at the Salt Creek Recreation area, scheduled for August 9th at 7:30 a.m. This is a great opportunity to see Black Oystercatchers, Harlequin Ducks, and other waterbirds. I want to remind those individuals who sign up for a trip that if for some reason you can’t make it, please either email webmaster@olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org or contact the field trip leader directly. __________________
|
|
Short-billed Dowitcher - Photo: Bob Boekelheide. Dungeness Bay – Shorebirds, Gulls, and Water Birds
Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Meet at Three Crabs parking lot at 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Bob Boekelheide
Number of participants: 15 – Registration required
Free to attend (Note: 3 spots just opened up. Sign up today.) Shorebird migration is in full swing now. Join Bob Boekelheide to scan the bay and mudflats for shorebirds, water birds, and gulls. After hopping a few beach logs at Three Crabs beach and after surveying birds there, the group will travel to Dungeness Landing County Park on Oysterhouse Rd off Marine Drive. Dungeness Landing Park is accessible to all. If you have a spotting scope, bring it. Learn More and Register __________________
|
|
Black Oystercatchers at Salt Creek Recreation Area - Photo: Skip Perkins OPAS Field Trip: Tongue Point–Tide Pools and Birds
Leader: Kathy McCoy
Saturday, August 9, 2025, 7:30 a.m.—11 a.m. +
Number of participants: 12 - Registration required
Free to attend
|
|
Join Kathy McCoy for a rugged stroll through this scenic hotspot popular by beachcombers, divers, and birders. While the trail is short and rocky, the potential for sightings is promising: eBird recorded 37 species here last August! Expect upland birds like wrens, chickadees, ravens, nuthatches, swallows, and robins, along with a mix of waterbirds such as oystercatchers, murres, harlequins, gulls, loons, and more. We’ll also keep an eye out for seals, sea lions, and native plants that may inspire your own garden. Bring your bird ID skills and sense of adventure—no promises, just possibilities. Learn More and Register __________________
|
|
Night skies - Photo: Courtesy of Unsplash
|
|
The Importance of Dark Skies for Birds and People by Bob Phreaner The OPAS Conservation Committee sets annual goals. For 2025-26 we are proposing that OPAS collaborate with DarkSky Olympic Peninsula. By collaborating with DarkSky, OPAS hopes to educate the public about the harm outdoor lighting can do to birds, especially when migrating. Bright lights cause … However, we can reduce the harmful impacts of lights by turning them off at critical migration periods. One example is the bright beams above the National 9/11 Museum & Memorial’s Tribute in Light in New York City attracts up to 150 times more birds … Minimizing outdoor illumination saves energy and migrating birds. Light pollution is also a driver of declines in insect populations which impact birds and and pollination of plants, so critical to … Learn More (Join us for a special program titled "For the Love of the Night Sky" hosted by the River Center in collaboration with DarkSky Olympic Peninsula on August 9th at 10:00 a.m. RSVP here.) __________________
|
|
Purple Martin on nest box. - Photo: John Gussman Purple Martin Field Trip and Nest Check Story by Dow Lambert Following Ken Wiersema’s July 12th presentation on the OPAS Purple Martin Project, a dozen of the participants joined Ken and I at 3 Crabs to inspect the 18 nest boxes hanging from three pilings out on the 3 Crabs mud flats. The tide was just starting to rise after hitting its low of -2'0" at 11 a.m. The temperature was 55 degrees and the wind was gusting from 14-18 mph—less than ideal for climbing the ladder, but with two people holding it I felt comfortable at the top while using the endoscope to peek inside each box. Fourteen nest boxes had a total of 43-50 chicks and 15-19 eggs. A more accurate count was impossible because the chicks … Learn More __________________
|
|
Western Sandpiper juvenile (left) and Least Sandpiper juvenile (right) - Photo: Bob Boekelheide Dungeness Bay – Shorebirds, Gulls, and Waterfowl
Saturday, September 1, 2025.
Meet at Three Crabs parking lot at 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Bob Boekelheide
Number of participants: 15 – Registration required
Free to attend Bird migration is in full swing as summer transitions to fall. Join Bob Boekelheide to scan the bay and mudflats for shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl. After hopping a few beach logs at Three Crabs beach and after surveying birds there, the group will travel to Dungeness Landing County Park on Oysterhouse Rd off Marine Drive. Dungeness Landing Park is accessible to all. If you have a spotting scope, bring it. Learn More and Register __________________
|
|
**Save the Date for a Big Celebration** **Saturday, September 6th** 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Rainshadow Hall Recognizing the north Olympic Peninsula as a Community Wildlife Habitat™ newly certified by the National Wildlife Federation! Join us for a special Backyard Birding class highlighting the topic of gardening for hummingbirds and their pollinating cohorts—featuring a return engagement of Julie O’Donald, NWF Habitat Steward and Pilchuk Audubon. Keep apprised of updates at the OPAS and DRNC websites.
|
|
|
|
