Conservation News – The conservation committee is committed to providing up-to-date conservation news for our members and visitors to our website.
Update on the Marbled Murrelet Long Term Conservation Strategy
Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released a Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RDEIS) on eight alternatives for the Long-Term Conservation Strategy of the Marbled Murrelet.
The comment period ended on December 6, 2018. OPAS submitted comments that expressed concerns about DNR’s preferred alternative and the remaining seven alternatives. None of the alternatives presented in the RDEIS do enough to maintain and protect Marbled Murrelets in Washington State.
You can follow the Murrelet Survival Project Facebook page as DNR reviews public comments and develops a final EIS.
2018 Purple Martin Report
By Ken Wiersema
Evidence supports that our work to establish a sustainable Purple Martin colony in proximity to the 3 Crabs restoration site is succeeding. This year we repaired and re-marked eighteen nest boxes to install on the 3 Crabs pilings, and another six boxes for the sites on Protection Island NWR. At the end of June, we erected four new boxes next to the tidal lagoons adjacent to the pilings. These boxes were over land rather than over water, as were our boxes on the pilings. We had successful nests in every box but one of the last ones installed. Read more.
September 2018 Western Bluebird Report
By Joyce Volmut

Western Bluebird checking out nestbox.
Western Bluebirds had two broods this year in a nest box placed with permission on Department of Natural Resources property.
Study volunteers, Cindy Fulwiler reported the pair defending the box in late June and John Woolley reported two juveniles near the nest box on July 29. This is the first recording of two broods in the same same nest box.
In addition, at a home near Carrie Blake Park, two broods were reported, but it was unclear how many birds fledged. Near Obrien Road, three broods were reported this year. Seven birds fledged from the first brood, six from the second, and six from the third.

Important Notice! What to do if you encounter aircraft disturbance at Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge.
By FAA regulation, aircraft, including fixed wing, helicopter, drone, powered or unpowered are required to maintain a safe non-disturbance distance from wildlife. Should our members note what they believe is an aircraft disturbing wildlife they should contact:
FAA’s Flight Standards District Office (FDSO Seattle)
1601 Lind Avenue SW
Renton, Wa 98057
Phone: (425) 227-2813 or (800) 354-1940 Fax: (425) 227-1810
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/sea/
Wildlife disturbance on or near the DNWR should also be reported to Refuge Law Enforcement, David Falzetti (David_Falzetti@fws.gov or 360-457-8451). However, without detailed information including a tail number, date, time, and detailed wildlife disturbance behavior information he can do little. It is highly recommended that reports include photos of the tail number and type of wildlife disturbance. Understandably, these details can be very difficult to get, but the effort is important for follow-up.
Audubon’s Birds and Climate Change Report – 314 Species on the Brink
Shrinking and shifting ranges could imperil nearly half of U.S. birds within this century. Read the Audubon Climate Report.