Bird-Friendly Communities is a nationwide campaign by National Audubon taking strides to offset the impacts of development by restoring and protecting landscapes that allow native bird populations to survive in a growing community. Eastside Audubon is committed to providing outreach and education to spread this message and encourage individuals to take part in protecting the environment. By creating open spaces that are wildlife friendly, starting with your own backyard and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do the same we can create and protect important habitat for wildlife, allowing for a better environment for birds and for people.

How can you help?

Create a bird habitat in your own backyard!

Commit to taking three steps in your own backyard to help wildlife. Examples include:

• Install native plants that provide food and shelter to native bird populations

• Eliminate pesticides which can be fatal to birds and their food sources

• Retain dead snags and branches that serve as rest and nesting sites

• Remove invasive species such as ivy and blackberry

• Leave leaf litter to provide food for foraging birds

• Keep cats indoors

• Provide a water source

Plants for Birds

Eastside Audubon collaborated with Washington Native Plant Society through a grant to identify 35 species of plants that are native to our area, relatively easy to find, and have value to wildlife.

Make buildings bird-safe

Loss of habitat is a threat to wildlife, but our built environment not only removes habitat it creates hazards. Buildings, in particular, are obstacles for birds in flight.

Glass and other surfaces that reflect the sky or surrounding vegetation can appear to be continuous space. Birds unable to see the window glass may perceive it to be an extension of their habitat and fly directly into it. The impact may temporarily stun the bird increasing its risk for predation or the impact may directly lead to death. Researchers estimate that up to a one billion birds die in the United States every year due to window collisions. Find out more about preventing window collisions at All About Birds, and how to help an injured bird through Paws.

Another hazard in the built environment is artificial lighting at night. Millions of birds fly over King County on their way north to their breeding grounds in spring and again in the fall on their way south to their wintering grounds. You may not witness these birds in transit because most of these migratory birds travel at night. Our increasing use of nighttime lighting creates a two-fold risk for these migrants. First, it increases the risk of window collisions. Second, light pollution can disorient migrating birds causing them to lose direction and fly until exhausted. Dimming lights at night can help the birds navigate through our communities. Read more about the impact of light pollution and what you can do about it with the Lights Out program..

Get involved!

Volunteer with Eastside Audubon to spread the word. Come be a part of Eastside Audubon’s community outreach by tabling at community events and speaking with the public - no experience necessary!