#BlackBirdersWeek
President’s Letter: Educated and Entertained Online
While staying at home this spring and summer, I’ve spent quite a bit of time online. After hearing the news about the New York Central Park encounter between birder Christian Cooper and dog walker Amy Cooper, I wanted to learn more about how to make birding more welcoming and inclusive for people of color.
Indigo Bunting
An Indigo Bunting, a common bird of the Eastern United States, made a rare visit to the west at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA in June 2020.
The lovely all blue male Indigo Bunting has been called the Blue Canary (Dunne) for good reason. Its song is a bright and cheery combination of whistled notes, often in pairs, which can continue for hours throughout the day. This bunting loves to sing from a high and open perch.
President’s Letter: Considering the Future
Eastside Audubon Joins Recreate Responsibly Coalition
A Note from Your Conservation Chair
Since 2007, June has been celebrated as the month of the Orca in Washington State. Governor Christine Gregoire first designated June as Orca Awareness Month. In 2019, the month was renamed Orca Action Month. We knew then that the population of salmon-eating orcas in Washington State waters, known as Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) needed help to survive as a distinct population.
Pacific Wren
Lauren Kuehne - June 2020 Program Night Presentation
We had a wonderful time with researcher Lauren Kuehne during her virtual program night presentation on June 25 as she presented the results of a year-long project to monitor current levels of noise from military aircraft, and estimate the impact of Growler jets on the soundscape of the Olympic Peninsula.
Eastside Audubon Shares in a Victory in Woodinville
In late May, the WA State Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB) invalidated the King County Adult Beverage Ordinance allowing wine tasting and event centers in the Rural Area of King County south of Woodinville. The ordinance was sent back to the county for environmental review. The Eastside Audubon Conservation Committee has been following the proposal for this ordinance for several years and has commented in opposition to it.
President’s Letter: Reconnecting in New Ways
With new guidance from the governor’s office through the Safe Start Washington: A Phased Approach to Recovery plan, Eastside Audubon is ready to ask a new question—what activities can we safely offer that will carry out Eastside Audubon’s mission and reconnect our members to nature.
Spotted Towhee
Birding During the Pandemic
Current news reports indicate that more people are appreciating birds while they shelter in place. Confined to home during partial shutdowns this spring, people have had a lot of time on their hands and many of them have started watching the birds in their yards, discovering just how much fun it can be. Downloads of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology bird identification app, Merlin, and the Audubon app have increased dramatically. Sales of bird feeders and bird seed have expanded during the pandemic. People are starting to notice birds.
Eastside Audubon College Scholarship Recipients
Volunteer Spotlight: Glenn Eades
$5,000 GiveBIG Washington Matching Gift Challenge
Backyard Birding During Quarantine
I always enjoy watching birds in my backyard, and yet as the days wore on, I became mesmerized by their activities and voracious eating habits, thankful for my husband’s diligence in filling and cleaning the feeders. One sunny day, my son suggested that I sit on the porch with my camera. He helped bring out a chair for me as I hobbled out with my walker and camera.
