Western Bluebird - photo by Cindy Fullwiler

WESTERN BLUEBIRD/CLIMATE WATCH STUDY

The OPAS Western Bluebird Program started in 2016 to collect data on the nesting habits of the Western Bluebird in the OPAS chapter area of Clallam County. In the same year, National Audubon released the Audubon Birds and Climate Change Report that highlighted the risks that climate change poses to birds across North America. The report predicts that over half of North American bird species will lose 50 percent or more of their current range by the year 2080. In the following year, National Audubon initiated their citizen scientist program Climate Watch, to test and improve the Climate Watch model.

The Western Bluebird species was selected by OPAS as the target bird. Two surveys are conducted each year by trained volunteers. The first, from January 15 to February 15 collects and reports data on wintering birds and the second from May 15 to June 15 during the breeding season. Though the Western Bluebird is the target bird, volunteers count and report all birds seen in a five minute survey that strictly adheres to Audubon protocols.

Western Bluebird/Climate Watch begins May 15, 2024

by Joyce Volmut, Coordinator

Spring is here and the birds are singing everywhere. They are calling you to go birding and take part in the OPAS Climate Watch Survey that starts May 15, 2024.

By participating in the Climate Watch Survey volunteers collect data which helps Audubon scientists document how birds are responding to climate change. The climate change survey is different from other surveys. It’s based on a research model that requires certain variables. It must be stationary, which means that you stand in one spot and the count period is only 5 minutes at each point Although you are asked to count all birds, only specific target birds are documented; the American and Lesser Goldfinch, the Western and Mountain Bluebird, the Spotted Towhee, and the Red-breasted Nuthatch.  By participating in the Climate Watch Survey volunteers collect data which helps Audubon scientists document how birds are responding to climate change. The climate change survey is different from other surveys. It’s based on a research model that requires certain variables. It must be stationary, which means that you stand in one spot and the count period is only 5 minutes at each point Although you are asked to count all birds, only specific target birds are documented; the American and Lesser Goldfinch, the Western and Mountain Bluebird, the Spotted Towhee, and the Red-breasted Nuthatch. 

Audubon Researchers are looking at these target birds to see how they will respond to Climate Change. It’s worth saying again that Climate Change is the greatest threat to birds in our lifetime and a public health threat to humans.  Some only think of Climate Change as normal changing weather patterns. It is, however, the manifestation of changing weather patterns that are the real threat such as severe drought, flooding, wildfires and extremes in temperature and storms. According to Audubon’s 2019 climate change report, Survival by Degrees, up to two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to extinction because of these changes.

There are nine chapters in the state of Washington that now participate in the Climate Watch Survey. Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society was the first. OPAS started the program in search of the Western Bluebird, specifically where it nested, and consequently the Western Bluebird is well-documented in our area. The other target birds are undercounted, however. What we need are more backyard volunteers to capture other birds, such as the goldfinch with its bright colors coming to your feeder, the Spotted Towhee hopping and kicking up leaves under bushes, and the Red-breasted Nuthatch calling and bringing its young to your backyard feeders and suet. 

You don’t need to be a member of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society to participate. Climate Watch is open to the public. Ask your neighbors to join you. Make this the biggest count for all the target birds. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact me at joyce.volmut@gmail.com

Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Update—Summer 2023

by Joyce Volmut, Coordinator

It is time for the Summer Climate Watch Survey. This is a reminder and also to peak interest in anyone interested in joining the OPAS climate watch program.

How does the survey work? You pick a day during the survey period (May 15-June 15) and set aside 5 minutes of your time; count every bird that you see or hear in this 5 minute period. You may select anywhere from 1-12 locations to do your survey, but each location must be reported on a separate check-list.

You are asked to count every bird, but especially note that the Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch are National Audubon target birds. Simply report your findings through your eBird account and share your findings with me, or report your findings directly to me at joyce.volmut@gmail.com.

This year bird advocates and especially bird species got a boost, at least here in Washington State. Three pieces of legislation dealing with conservation and climate passed through the Washington State legislature this session. They are currently on their way to the governor or by the time this is published, the governor may have already signed them into law.

SB 5104 - The Shoreline Assessment Program is aimed at protecting and restoring the habitats of marine birds, salmon and orcas. This will aid in establishing a program to assess the condition of Puget Sound shorelines, providing necessary in- formation to develop effective strategies to protect habitats of species who live and use these resources.

HB 1216 - Referred to as the Clean Energy Siting bill, this piece of legislation will help balance the protection of our natural resources. This bill establishes a coordinated effort between agencies involved in the permitting process in the development of clean energy sites that include policy goals to protect birds and the places they need to thrive.

HB 1181 is a significant step toward local climate change planning. Part of the Growth Management Act, this bill requires local governments to plan for the changing climate, to reduce carbon emissions, and to safeguard landscapes such as critical wetlands that serve to connect Western Washington and other parts of the state together and are an important habitat to birds, plants, insects and other forms of wildlife.

Nothing happens without effort and we can thank Washington Audubon, local Audubon chapters, such as ours and bird advocates for keeping the focus on the prize. Each bill took three years to pass.

To learn more about the OPAS Western Bluebird/Climate Watch program, contact me at joyce.volmut@gmail.com.

Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Update June 30, 2022

by Joyce Volmut, Coordinator

In this report I want to focus on terminology related to the Changing Climate and why it’s important to the conservation of all lifeforms, whether native plants, bird populations, other wildlife as well as the public health of humans. 

We sometimes struggle with word phrases such as “Global Warming” and “Climate Change”. Only words on a piece of paper but much more to our very existence and to the birds we love. Surely there is no doubt we all suffer its effects. On the Olympic Peninsula the evidence is all around us: global temperature rise, warming oceans, glacial retreat, decreased snow cover, and sea level rise. 

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) “Global Warming” is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere.”

“Climate Change”, on the other hand, is the “long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates.”

Although the earth’s climate has changed throughout history, it is this current time period that causes concern. During this period, human activities are estimated to have increased the Earth’s global average temperature by about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). This is almost 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.36 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade, thus warming the atmosphere, ocean, and land at a faster pace.

Science specific data have led to the development of theoretical models to monitor and study past, present and future climate conditions. Key elements were studied over time; such as global land and ocean temperature increases; rising sea levels; ice loss at Earth’s poles and in mountain glaciers; frequency and severity changes in extreme weather such as hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, floods and precipitation; and cloud and vegetation cover changes.

 In keeping with these studies, plus data collected from a variety bird observations, that National Audubon was able to develop a climate model to measure bird response to both Global Warming and Climate Change. Key indicators based on science were used in the Audubon model and ultimately in the report Survival by Degrees.   

Twice yearly, many citizen scientists test the Audubon model throughout the United States and here on the Olympic Peninsula as they complete the Climate Watch surveys. The OPAS summer survey was just completed on June 15 and I thank everyone who was involved. This summer we had six Western Bluebird nesting  sites reported. Other target birds reported were the Spotted Towhee, American and Lesser Goldfinch, and the Red Breasted Nuthatch.  A full Climate Watch survey report of all target birds is still in progress.

I urge you to visit Global Climate Change Vital Signs of the Planet. This website provides evidence of cause, effect and indications of global climate change plus other related sources, such as graphs, videos and other NASA resources related to the changing climate.

Also important, if you haven’t done so before, check out National Audubon’s Survival by Degrees. In my estimation, this report should be the leading force for conservation for birds, their breeding life, and food source. If a bird does not successfully breed and offspring do not survive, their very existence is at risk.

Lastly, read a book “Rising” by author Elizabeth Rush. This book was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. It is a journalistic report on climate change and the disappearing US coastlines.

Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Update April 12, 2022

by Joyce Volmut

In late February, the Western Bluebirds started returning to the areas where they have nested before. At least 2 pair have been reported near the OPAS nest boxes on River Rd. They have returned to nest boxes near Carrie Blake Park, off Hendrickson Road, and near Heath Road. They have also been reported checking out the boxes on properties near O’Brien Rd where with the exception of last year, they have nested for about 20 years.  

Bob Phreaner, Dan Stahler and Joyce Volmut added two more nest boxes to the DNR’s Thompson Road site. The new boxes are of the Peterson Bluebird box design. This type of box has been used successfully with Eastern Bluebirds but it is a new design for our area. The boxes provide a longer base for the brood and a more extensive slant of the roof. There are now a total of six OPAS boxes on the site, four standard Bluebird nest boxes and two Peterson’s boxes.  Last summer, all of the boxes were utilized except only one by Western Bluebirds.

Our trip to the Thompson Road site ended on a sad note. While expanding the vent holes on the previously placed boxes, we found two adults Western Bluebirds dead in one of the boxes.  All of the boxes had been cleaned after the 2021 breeding season so we are left to wonder what happened to the pair. The Western Bluebirds may have used the boxes to roost in over winter and froze to death or could not find adequate food source. There was no nesting material in the boxes so it would not appear it was an early nesting. They may have suffered some other peril. DNR has been known to use directed herbicide to kill the Scotch broom on the property. Whatever the cause, it is indeed always sad to see such beautiful creatures lifeless.

In a recent article “Update on the Status of Bluebird Population Trends” in the Journal of North America Bluebird Society, Bluebird,  Bernie Daniel, PhD, noted the Western Bluebird has seen a gradual increase in the population, close to 1% per year from 2000-2019. There was a slight decline toward the end of that period which may have been due to the extensive fires in California and Oregon, prolonged drought, or extreme temperatures in some areas of the Northwest.

The Western Bluebird is considered a resident to medium distance migrant, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It is the least migratory of the Bluebird species with the Mountain Bluebird being the most. Some Western Bluebirds even as far north as British Columbia, Canada, stay year-round. Some in mountainous areas may simply move down the slope to warmer elevations for winter. Unlike many other songbirds Western Bluebirds often migrate during the day.

Reminder - The next survey period for Climate Watch is coming up soon.  May 15-June 15 2022. 

Western Bluebird/Climate Change Update February 27, 2022

by Joyce Volmut, Coordinator WEBL/Climate Watch

On February 15, 2022 Climate watch volunteers completed the winter survey. Seventy three checklists were submitted with a total of sixty three species.  National Audubon Climate Watch target birds included

• Western Bluebirds - 8

• Spotted Towhees- 21

• Red Breasted Nuthatches - 7

This survey period, January 15 to February 15 is intended to capture the target birds that winter feed in our area. This is important data to capture. It speaks to the suitability of food sources in the area, to habitat, and gives a trend on target bird population.

The winter survey is always a difficult one. We lose some Climate Watch volunteers who travel during this time period and the climate of the North Olympic Peninsula doesn’t always cooperate. This winter however, we were able to pick up three new volunteers in the Port Angeles area. 

Western Bluebird/Climate Change Update June 25, 2021
by Joyce Volmut, Coordinator WEBL/Climate Watch

The Climate Change Survey period of May 15 - June 15 was in full swing this spring thanks to the number of people vaccinated and a change in COVID-19 guidelines.

Seventy six species were reported during this period, 122 checklists through eBird, 12 reports through email.

Audubon Climate Watch target birds included:

• Western Bluebird - 23 individuals

• Red Breasted Nuthatch - 11 individuals

• American Goldfinch - 85 individuals

• Spotted Towhee - 41 individuals

Of the 23 Western Bluebirds reported, six confirmed nesting sites were reported, four in nest boxes and two in snags. No fledglings were reported at the time of this writing.

Climate Watch and the OPAS Western Bluebird Program, though intertwined are somewhat separate programs.  The OPAS Western Bluebird program was initiated to collect data on Western Bluebirds in the area and particularly their nesting habits.

Climate Watch, however has a greater purpose - to  learn more about how birds are affected by climate change.  The Audubon report “Survival by Degrees” provides a story of birds and climate vulnerability by collecting data on where they breed and winter.

For example, the target birds in the climate watch study each face differing outcomes where the changing climate is concerned. The Red Breasted Nuthatch maintains 34% of his habitat but the overall area is expanded Northward. The Spotted Towhee maintains approximately 45% of its range. The Western Bluebird expands its range by 29% in both winter and summer. The American Goldfinch expands it’s range by 55%

A great number will lose significant portions of their range. Vulnerability is measured by global temperature rising by 1.5 degrees Celsius, 2.0 and 3.0 degrees and looks at all portions of the range, where the bird breeds and where the bird winters.  In Clallam County 36 species are listed with high vulnerability, that is a rise of 3.0 Celsius. The Rufous Hummingbird just happens to be one of those birds with high vulnerability. It has the potential for losing up to 70% of its range.  

For more information and what you can do, visit Survival by Degrees; 389 Species on the Brink.  Volunteer for Climate Watch, help collect data in two simple 5 minute surveys a year. Contact Joyce Volmut, Project Coordinator, at joyce.volmut@gmail.com.

Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Update May 1, 2021
by Joyce Volmut, Coordinator WEBL/Climate Watch

Once again the western bluebird is making its presence known in Clallam County. Several sightings were reported during March and April around select areas where the western bluebird have been seen in the past few years. These include the Lower Elwha region, Dungeness and the 3 Crabs area, the Fish Hatchery Rd, River Rd, Thompson Rd, Black Diamond Rd, Olympic National Park and the Railroad Bridge.

To add to the excitement Mountain Bluebirds were also sighted. The powdery blue of Mountain Bluebirds is always an eye-opener and this year the Mountain Bluebirds lit up the 3 crabs area with the flutter of wings to the delight of many
onlookers.

Because we anticipated an increase in WEBL nesting this year, the OPAS Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Program prepared 10 new bluebird nest boxes for installation. A real team effort went into the project. Dan Stahler and Bob Phreaner skillfully crafted the boxes, Susan and Craig Paulsen and Gary Siesner assisted Dan and Bob in installing the boxes and Doris Causey and Cindy Fullwiler helped fund. Nine of the boxes, plus two donated boxes have already been installed on both public and private land, and a bluebird trail was established with the help of several landowners on private property. To date five WEBL pair have been spotted checking out the boxes and four seem to have settled in.

The Climate Watch surveys have been limited this past year because of the Covid pandemic. Thankfully the spring-summer survey that begins May 15-June 15 is full speed ahead. As in the past it is a stationary five-minute survey in which all the birds sighted within the five minutes count reported on to me through either e-bird or a Climate Watch tally sheet.

During the May-June survey period, in addition to regularly scheduled survey sites, I would like to hone in on a few areas were WEBL have been seen in the last few years but where we have little data. These areas include the Lower Elwha , along Fish Hatchery Rd, Carrie Blake, and Lake Farm Rd. If you are interested in any of these areas or if you would like to volunteer for Climate Watch please contact me. This is a fun and easy survey to do. It can occur any day that falls within the survey period.

For more information about the program or to report a bluebird sighting, contact joyce.volmut@gmail.com

Western Bluebird/ Climate Watch Update March 1, 2021

by Joyce Volmut, Coordinator

The Climate Watch Survey took place from January 15-February 15, 2021. This was the first survey conducted during the pandemic. It was cancelled throughout all of 2020.

Fifty-five species were reported during the five minute survey. Target birds in the survey have remained the same since 2019. For our region these include the Spotted Towhee, the Western or Mountain Bluebird, the American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch and the Nuthatch species.

Climate Watch guidelines include a five minute stationary watch in which all birds are counted. To date, only the target birds are mapped by National Audubon Climate Watch Research Team. The goal is to plot wintering habits of this select group to determine how the changing climate might cause a shift in the species wintering behavior.

Of the target birds reported there were:

•    Red Breasted Nuthatch - 11

•    Spotted Towhee - 23

•    Western Bluebirds - 36

This is the most Western Bluebirds reported during the Climate Watch Survey for our region.

Areas of concentration for the Western Bluebird continue on the Miller Peninsula where 9 individuals were reported, and between Port Angeles and Sequim, where 10 were reported.

However, many of the reports this year came from areas not reporting in winter: Three Crabs, Heath Rd in Sequim, and in the southeast part of Port Angeles near Peabody Creek.  

The next Climate Watch Survey is scheduled in the spring from May 15 - June 15, 2021. As always, in between surveys if you see any Western Bluebirds please report them to Joyce Volmut (joyce.volmut@gmail.com)  Western Bluebirds begin nesting around late March and early April, so get your nest boxes ready.

Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Update for May 1, 2020

The OPAS Western Bluebird Climate Watch Survey has been canceled for May 15 - June 15, 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, watch this informative and entertaining video called The Nature of Western Bluebirds produced by Cindy Fullwiler. You will learn about the diet of Western Bluebirds, their nesting preferences and the nesting process, including clutch size, egg incubation period, and nestling period. The video is just over 12 minutes long, but be ready to be entertained watching these social birds. Click here to watch now.

OPAS Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Report for January 15 - February 15, 2020

Eleven volunteers participated in the Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Survey from January 15 - February 15 2020.  The survey consisted of a 5 minute count in select areas or squares within the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society (OPAS) Chapter area. Though the Western Bluebird remains the target bird for the OPAS project, all birds identified are counted and reported to National Audubon. It is the goal of National Audubon Climate Watch to continually add species to their data base. This year, the American Robin, Spotted Towhee, and American Goldfinch were added to the Red-breasted Nuthatch and the Western Bluebird target species. Two surveys are conducted each year between January 15 - February 15 and May 15 -June 15.  A 3-year summary of 2018 through Feb of 2020 is included in Table 1.  Bird checklists are used to document the findings.