New Dungeness Lghthouse with birds in flight–Photo: Bob Boekelheide

October 2025 President’s Notes: Planning Ahead

by Matt McCoy

Fall is here and winter residents are arriving. Golden-crowned Sparrows are quite proud of their journey and let us know each morning. Per BirdCast, we’re just past the fall migration peak in Clallam County. We also discovered an unexpected visitor on our gate (see photo). Bat identification for the unknowing is like gull ID, but with even less information to go on. There are about seven bat species in western Washington which require close inspection and measuring for a “firm” ID.

We often take our migrating birds for granted, but they face a multitude of challenges on their travels, not the least of which is what is happening to the lands beneath them. That often depends on how those lands are being managed. Land use plans are the blueprints that guide that management, and consequently these plans matter to birds.

Planning areas range from landscape-scale efforts covering multiple jurisdictions (e.g., the Northwest Forest Plan covering 24.5 million acres and five federal agencies), to specific units like a national park (e.g., Olympic National Park General Management Plan covering 922,600 acres), to local governmental entities (e.g., Clallam County Parks Comprehensive Master Plan covering 1,076 acres and 22 sites).

Plans may cover a wide range of issues that affect birds, including vegetation treatments, light management, recreation uses, and facilities. Issues are determined through regulatory requirements and public input. That means you have a say in how your lands are managed. Usually there are many opportunities to provide input during the planning process.

These tips will help make your comments count:

Read the existing plan.
Understand what actions the plan might cover.
Be factual; use data.
Provide constructive solutions.

The Clallam County Parks Comprehensive Master Plan is in the early stages of being updated. A survey is underway (open through October 10th) to learn how people use different sites, what changes or improvements they’d like to see, and which priorities matter most to them. While the plan emphasizes recreation, your input could help ensure wildlife needs are considered. Responding is a simple way to support better bird habitat.