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Our Mission The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society promotes birding and habitat conservation through science-based education, advocacy, and stewardship.
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May Harlequin Happenings Newsletter
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(Please note that OPAS is now sending a monthly email newsletter instead of publishing a separate bi-monthly newsletter. Read about our May 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.)
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*In this issue, depending on your email program either on your computer, tablet, or phone, one of the photos may not appear correctly. The problem has been escalated to technical support, but we chose not to wait for a resolution before sending the May newsletter.
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Western Tanager and red elderberries - Photo: Mick Thompson “Native Plants for Better Backyard Birding”
Presenters: Kathy and Matt McCoy
Thursday, May 8, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 PM (Note the time change)
In-person Presentation, no Zoom availability
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
510 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA Join OPAS members and expert birders, Kathy and Matt, for the 2025 Green Thumb Education Series presentation sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners. They will discuss how to make your yard more attractive to birds, including plants that provide the most benefits, landscape features, and feeders which are appropriate for our area. Attracting birds also means providing safe spaces and clean feeders away from predators, domestic cats, and diseases. The McCoys will suggest methods to protect your birdy residents who share your property. LEARN MORE _________________________
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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. How can you help? Go birding! You can help provide bird data either by returning the tally sheet or by entering your counts on-line using eBird. Line up sponsors for your count, to help support OPAS and River Center programs. Or, if you're so inclined, please sponsor other counters and we'll represent you as we tally the birds. LEARN MORE _________________________
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Steller’s Jay - Photo: Dow Lambert OPAS Field Trip: Peabody Creek Trail
Leader: Kathy McCoy
Sunday, May 11, 2025, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Participant limit: 10—Registration required.
Signed Liability Form required.
Free. Join Kathy for a Bird and Nature Walk to explore the beauty of Olympic National Park on the Peabody Creek Trail—a 5.2-mile round trip filled with nature’s wonders. We’ll listen and look for resident birds, such as Common Ravens, Steller’s Jays, Northern Flickers, Song Sparrows, and both chickadee species. Migrating birds may also bring delightful surprises, and though raptors like Bald Eagles, Cooper’s Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks might appear, sightings aren’t guaranteed. This isn’t just about birds—be ready to spot plants, chipmunks, salamanders, and snakes as we embrace the broader natural world. Wear sturdy shoes and prepare for some muddy spots—it’s all part of the adventure! LEARN MORE AND REGISTER _________________________
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Orange-crowned Warbler - Photo: John Gatchet OPAS Field Trip: "Birding for Everyone"
Leader: Marie Grad
Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 a.m.
Participant limit: 12—Registration required.
Signed liability form required.
Free. Are you curious about the birds in your yard and neighborhood? Join Marie for a fun and relaxed birdwatching field trip designed especially for beginners. May is the perfect time to explore nature as most of the birds that breed here have arrived. They’re busy setting up nesting sites, and some species are already caring for their chicks. Bring binoculars (if you have them)—loaners are available at the River Center’s front desk. Marie will have a spotting scope to share with the group. Dress for the weather to stay comfortable throughout the trip. Let’s come together to enjoy a delightful outing, deepen our connection to wildlife, and learn about the feathered friends that surround us. No experience required—just a love for nature! LEARN MORE AND REGISTER _________________________
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Brant - Photo: Dow Lambert OPAS Program: “Dungeness and Protection Island Managing for Birds”
Presented by Fawn Wagner, Wildlife Refuge Manager and Ecologist for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Refuge Management Program
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Dungeness River Nature Center
Free to attend. In this talk, Fawn will share about the groundbreaking agreement between the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to co-manage the Dungeness and Protection Island National Wildlife Refuges. Fawn will explore the transformative value of integrating diverse perspectives in wildlife and habitat conservation. These National Wildlife Refuges were conserved and protected primarily for avian species, and the Tribe is working hard to restore and improve these vital habitats. This presentation will discuss some of the ways in which the Tribe is managing these habitats for avian species. LEARN MORE ________________________
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Male robin carrying a mouthful of earthworms. Photo: Dow Lambert Dungeness Data“Time to Wake Up,” said the Robin by Bob Boekelheide It’s robin season, time when American Robins belt out their dawn chorus outside our bedroom windows. Wow – they sure are loud! Robins are “Big-eyed Birds,” able to perceive low light levels and start singing in the pre-dawn twilight. Most mornings they start their songs almost an hour before sunrise, playing their role as nature’s alarm clock. Once they’ve established their territories, males might serenade for only a few minutes each morning, then they turn over the sound stage to other species. They often sing longer if it’s a dark day with solid overcast, and they might even start singing again if it clouds up and gets darker at mid-day. Even though robins’ songs are the harbinger of spring, robins are common year-round birds on the north Olympic Peninsula. (Click on the link below to continue reading and see all photos and figures in the article) LEARN MORE ______________________
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City of Sequim Proclamation for Migratory Bird DayRecently, the Sequim City Council executed a Proclamation calling upon fellow residents and businesses to recognize World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 10, as well as all other days during the spring and fall migratory seasons. On behalf of OPAS, Joyce Volmut, OPAS Conservation Co-chair, accepted the Proclamation. _____________________
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Fri, Apr 25
by Joyce Volmut Volunteers needed! The climate is affecting the birds around you. Since 2016, OPAS volunteers have been collecting data that Audubon scientists use in peer-reviewed research to document how birds are responding to climate. Now, we’re calling on you to join this effort by observing birds in your backyard or in an area of your choice. Your participation will help us better understand how target bird species respond in our region. Anyone can participate and the protocol is simple. Click on the link to volunteer. |
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Tue, Apr 29
How do birds know when it is time to migrate? The trigger “to go” lies in the changes of seasonal light levels. As spring days get longer, a bird’s light receptors in their eyes, brain and spinal cord detect changes in natural light which signals them to prepare for a long flight. These photoreceptors send signals that trigger a cascade of hormonal adjustments to a bird’s endocrine system with messages to boost fat storage and prepare for the energy-demanding adventure of migration. |
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Wed, Apr 23
Narrative inspired by Skip Perkins. Birdwatching is an adventure that can begin just a few steps outside your door, especially for those facing mobility challenges. While long hikes and short jogs might be out of reach, the joy of observing nature remains—sometimes as close as your backyard. Recently, in Sequim, I had the pleasure of watching a striking Rufous Hummingbird near my feeder. This bold little bird, known for … |
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Wed, Apr 16
Dive into this fascinating video from our April 16, 2022 program featuring Barbara Callahan, Senior Director of Response and Preparedness Services at International Bird Rescue. With over 29 years of global experience, Barbara shared her deep knowledge on rescuing and rehabilitating aquatic birds affected by large-scale marine oil spills. |
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