In This Issue

Events:
November 7: OPAS Backyard Birding: “Birds: The Inside Story”
November 13: OPAS Field Trip: Mouth of the Elwha River Bird Walk
November 18: OPAS Program: “Deep Birding: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of Birds in a Rapidly Changing Climate” December 12: Pre-Christmas Bird Count to Carrie Blake Park and John Wayne Marina

Articles:
1. November President’s Notes: Have ACOW, a Berry, and a Bull
2. HabiTIPS
3. Over to the Dark Side: Vultures
4. Seabirds and Marine Mammals of the Protection Island Aquatic Reserve

Video:
”Olympic Coast Exploration Center—Design in Progress!" Video

A statewide Audubon meeting, a mountain ash stripped bare by hungry robins, and a memorable bull elk may seem like the ingredients of an unlikely story. In this month's President's Notes, Matt ties them together with his trademark blend of humor, observation, and conservation insight. The result is a reminder that our enjoyment of birds and other wildlife is rooted not only in memorable encounters, but also in the ongoing work needed to ensure they remain part of our lives.

Continue Reading
____________

OPAS Backyard Birding: “Birds: The Inside Story”
Presenters: Shirley Anderson & Ken Wiersema
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Rainshadow Hall, Dungeness River Nature Center
Suggested Donation: $5

What makes a bird a bird? Join Shirley Anderson and Ken Wiersema for a fascinating and entertaining look at the unique anatomy and senses of birds—from how they see, sing, and fly to how they thrive in the Olympic Peninsula’s diverse habitats. Featuring local photographs, illustrations, and hands-on displays of feathers and skeletons, this program offers something for both new and experienced birders.

Learn More
____________

OPAS Field Trip: Mouth of the Elwha River Bird Walk
Leader: Kathy McCoy
Date and time: Friday, November 13, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.+
Limited to 12 participants. Registration required.
Free to attend
[Note: Field trip is currently full but a waitlist is available]

The mouth of the Elwha River is one of the most dynamic and fascinating birding locations on the Olympic Peninsula. More than a decade after the historic dam removals, the river continues to reshape its delta, creating new habitats and new opportunities for wildlife. Join Kathy McCoy for a guided walk through this evolving landscape. Participants will have the chance to observe a variety of waterbirds, sharpen their gull-identification skills with expert assistance from Bob Boekelheide, and experience one of the region's most remarkable ecological restoration success stories.

Learn More and Register
____________

OPAS Program: “Deep Birding: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of Birds in a Rapidly Changing Climate”
Presenter: Steve Hampton
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Rainshadow Hall, Dungeness River Nature Center
Free to Attend
Come early for cookies.

From large-scale habitat changes associated with European colonization to rapid climate change today, the birds of North America have faced, and will face, dramatically changing habitats across the continent. Examining the past, present, and future of our birds, we will explore why some are adapting, and some are not.

Steve Hampton is an award-winning writer and enrolled Cherokee Nation citizen who blends Indigenous history, climate science, and bird conservation. He now serves as Conservation Chair and CBC compiler for Rainshadow Bird Alliance.

View Full Details
____________

OPAS Pre-Christmas Bird Count field trip to Carrie Blake Park and John Wayne Marina
Leaders: Bob Boekelheide and Marie Grad
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Limited to 20 participants. Registration required.
Free to attend

Sharpen your birding skills before the Christmas Bird Count with experienced leaders Bob Boekelheide and Marie Grad. This field trip visits Carrie Blake Park and John Wayne Marina, offering excellent opportunities to identify winter ducks, gulls, and sparrows, while also learning how to estimate large flocks of wigeons and mallards. Accessible to all, this outing is a great way to build confidence before count day. Be sure to dress warmly and prepare for potentially cold, windy, wet, or snowy weather.

Learn More and Register

Dark, bald-headed, and fond of carrion, Turkey Vultures have long been cast as villains in folklore and popular culture. Yet these remarkable birds are gentle scavengers, vital members of healthy ecosystems, and surprisingly social creatures. This entertaining and informative article explores the biology, behavior, and growing presence of these remarkable birds in the Pacific Northwest.

Continue Reading
____________

The waters surrounding Protection Island are among the most important seabird habitats in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Learn what five years of boat-based surveys revealed about the birds and marine mammals that use the Protection Island Aquatic Reserve. Conducted by OPAS volunteers in collaboration with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Washington Department of Natural Resources, this research provides a unique window into one of the Olympic Peninsula's richest marine ecosystems that supports not only the birds that nest on Protection Island, but also a wide variety of migrant species that flock to the eastern Strait each year. 

Learn More and Read the Final Report
____________

What will the future Olympic Coast Exploration Center in Port Angeles look like? At the October 21 OPAS program, Melissa Williams, Executive Director of the Olympic Coast Exploration Center (OCEC), unveiled design plans for the facility, including a live seabird exhibit. She also discussed conservation-focused building design and the innovative technologies being incorporated to support the well-being of birds. Learn more and watch the video.

Watch the Video Here
__________