Why Conserve Birds?

by Joyce Volmut, Conservation Co-Chair

People have always admired birds; in fact, they inspire artists, music, and design. Birds are the driving force behind many conservation efforts, for example, the ban of DDT, hunting regulations as it applies to bird species and the destruction of wetlands. Why conserve? It is in our nature. Even in the 1800s when farmers noticed a decline in bluebirds, they built nest boxes to bring the declining population back. Simply put, people love birds.

Birds today face some of the hardest problems they have in quite some time and the problems are complex. Too many birds are vulnerable and threatened, like the Rufous Hummingbird and the Tufted Puffin, whose declining numbers have been documented.

Today the Conservation Committee needs your help. We seek solutions and we ask you to take a leading role in conservation by joining forces with us. It’s time for a new generation of committed conservationists and your voice can make a difference in birds’ lives.

The conservation committee tackles local, statewide, or nationwide problems that affect birds. We examine the extent of the problem, draft letters that educate the public and policy makers on issues, and find solutions to conserve habitat and eliminate threats. Examples of OPAS programs developed through the Conservation Committee include:

Western Bluebird Study: This program was Initiated as an education and data collection program to help understand the plight of cavity nesters such as the Western Bluebird.

With permission from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), this program monitors nest boxes in strategic places on DNR and private property where the Western Bluebird nests.

Project BirdSafe: This project started by collecting data on the number of bird window strikes in our area, eventually partnering with Peninsula College, where a number of window strikes were noticed. Assisted by Peninsula College administration, students, teachers, and maintenance, the program is ongoing and receives grant dollars from National Audubon and matching funds from OPAS.

Project Swan Safe: When too many swans were killed or injured by striking powerlines, the conservation committee recommended partnering with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the local PUD to find solutions to keep swans safe. A community wide “Go Fund Me” campaign was initiated to seek finances to bury electric lines in an area where Trumpeter Swans roost. Since the lines were buried in 2021 there have been no casualties at that site.

Purple Martin Project: Since 1997, OPAS partnered with the WDFW and USFWS to build nest boxes and to monitor the breeding of Purple Martins. These birds are a threatened species in WA, and rely on human-supplied nest cavities.

We currently have 36 boxes installed during the breeding season at Three Crabs, Port Angeles, and Protection Island NWR. We coordinate with private land owners at Morse Creek and Diamond Point to monitor additional boxes.

Pigeon Guillemot (PIGU) Survey: Part of a Puget Sound survey, in cooperation with the Clallam County Marine Resources Committee, volunteers record the number of Pigeon Guillemots nesting in specific areas. This is important because PIGU are an indicator species for the health of the Salish Sea.

The OPAS Conservation Committee has been standing up for birds and their habitats for many years. We’re proud of our bird conservation results. But the need is great. Please join us and make a difference for birds.

Visit the OPAS website under the Conservation/Take Action tab to learn more of our activities and contact Bob Phreaner (phreaner@aol.com) or Joyce Volmut (joyce.volmut@gmail.com) to volunteer, or attend a Conservation Meeting.