Get Involved, Meet People, Have Fun!

Get Involved, Meet People, Have Fun!

Eastside Audubon offers a variety of engaging volunteer opportunities for people of all experience levels. Volunteers are important and valued members of the organization and our volunteer positions can enhance your knowledge of conservation, birds, communication, leadership and nonprofit organizations. Whether you have a lifetime interest in nature or are just getting started, Eastside Audubon has a place for you.

Board Secretary

What you’ll do: Attend monthly board meetings (via Zoom) and take meeting minutes.

Requirements: Skill in taking notes and recording them in an electronic document. No prior experience necessary.

Schedule & location: Board meetings are held in the evening on the fourth Tuesday of the month, year round, via Zoom or at the Kirkland office of Eastside Audubon. 

Engagement Coordinator

What you’ll do: Assist the board in recruiting and onboarding new volunteers. Follow up with people who have expressed interest in volunteering to match them with open positions. Help organize volunteer appreciation events.

Requirements: Enjoy talking with and meeting new people. Good organizational skills. No prior experience necessary. 

Schedule & location: Flexible schedule, year round. Work from home or the Eastside Audubon office in Kirkland.

Monthly Sunday Walks Resuming at Juanita Bay Park

Monthly Sunday Walks Resuming at Juanita Bay Park

A favorite walk is resuming this spring at Kirkland's Juanita Bay Park. One-hour interpretive walks at 1 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month, led by Eastside Audubon's rangers, are your opportunity to learn more about birds and other wildlife at this shoreline park on Lake Washington. These easy walks take place on paved walkways and boardwalks and they're open to adults, children 6 years or older when accompanied by an adult, and people with disabilities. You don't need to register; just meet at 1 p.m. at the park's kiosk near the parking lot. See our website calendar for dates. Enjoy getting outside and learning more about this beautiful place so close to home!

Remember to Clean Your Feeders!

Remember to Clean Your Feeders!

During the winter, with lots of birds possibly gathering at your feeders, it’s important to remember to clean them regularly in order to avoid the possible spread of disease. A recent (January 2022) update from Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife indicated they have been receiving some reports of dead or sick Pine Siskins and other songbirds. They went on to say, 

“At this point we are hesitant to declare this an outbreak like last year's salmonellosis outbreak in birds, but we do want to remind people that if you find a dead or sick bird (common signs are that they appear tame, lethargic, and have fluffed out feathers) near your bird feeder, please take it down for a couple weeks to encourage birds to spread out and not spread salmonellosis to each other. Or, if you don't want to take your feeder down, you can thoroughly wash it every day. Information on salmonellosis in birds, as well as how to effectively clean feeders and report dead or sick birds to help us track this illness is in a blog post we originally posted last year at Frequently asked questions on salmonellosis in wild birds | by The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Medium.”

Seattle Audubon also has posted feeder guidance to limit disease. Please take some time this season to protect the birds you feed.

Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count 2021

Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count, 18 December 2021

Written by Andy McCormick, CBC Compiler

2021-2022 Eastside Audubon Christmas Bird Count Summary
18 December 2021

National Audubon Count 122
Eastside Audubon Count 38

100 species tallied (count day + count week)
Count day: 88 species
Count week: 12 additional species 
Individual birds: 17,675
Observers: 41 (37 in the field + 4 feeder watchers)

Overview

The 38th Eastside Audubon CBC was held on December 18, 2021, a day marked by continuous rainfall.  The species count of 88 on count day was the lowest since 86 species were recorded in 2005. In recent years a greater effort has been directed to locating bird species during count week to complement count day totals. This year observers found 12 additional species to bring the count total to an even 100 bird species. 

Again, this year the count was conducted in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic under restrictions specified in Washington State and King County guidelines for vaccination, mask wearing and social distancing. We kept the teams small with a leader and one or two other people. EAS fielded 37 observers covering 15 teams. Five of the 15 circle sections were counted by one person and eight were counted by two persons. Two teams had three members and one had five.

Data Assessment

Variability in count numbers from year to year can be a challenge to interpret. Differences in weather conditions, changes in effort due to the number and skill level of volunteers on field teams, and changes in habitat due to natural causes (e.g., fire) or human development may all contribute to changes in bird species count totals. The CBC uses the 10-year average as one yardstick to provide some context for a particular year’s count totals. The numbers in parentheses following the name of a bird in this report are the total number seen in this year’s CBC, and the percentage as a ratio of the species count to the species’ 10-year average (e.g., a percentage of 150% indicates an increase of one and a half times the current 10-year average and 70% indicates 70% of the 10-year average.). 

Highlights

A flock of 22 Common Redpolls was reported from Marymoor Park marking the first time this species was recorded on the Eastside Audubon CBC. 

California Scrub-Jay was seen for the third time in the past 20 years. Previous records were in 2013 and 2018.

It is always a pleasure to see an American Kestrel (14, 280%) and they were abundant in the Snoqualmie Valley at nearly three times their 10-year average. Three Merlins and two Peregrine Falcons were also counted bringing the total count to 19 falcons.

Trends

Ducks and Geese

We were pleased to see a rebound in numbers for Northern Shoveler (51, 200%) at twice their 10-year average, Green-winged Teal (79, 83%) slightly below their 10-year average, and American Wigeon (349, 92%) at close to their 10-year average. Hooded Mergansers were steady at 41 (66%) and Common Mergansers (74, 89%) were at numbers similar to last year. Wood Duck (25, 114%) did well and Ruddy Duck (16, 64%) were below average.

Again, this year we requested drone flights in the fields at Carnation Farm to be stopped for the week prior to and including count day. Cacking Goose (8,274, 145%) and Canada Goose (925, 69%) were in good numbers again. Snow Geese at 52 was an unusually large count. Eurasian Wigeon and Canvasback were added in count week. 

Grebes, Pigeons, Hummingbirds, Coots and Rails

Pied-billed Grebes (101, 136%) were seen in many locations amassing the highest total in the past 20 years. However, Western Grebes (9, 20%) were almost missed this year. Red-necked Grebe was added in count week. A pair of Band-tailed Pigeons was seen on count day. Anna’s Hummingbirds (89, 116%) continued an above-average showing but still down from the 2018 total of 133. Five Virginia Rails matched their 10-year average and American Coot  (533, 118%) continued a nice three-year above average run.

Gulls, Cormorants, and Herons

The count of 85 (15%) for Short-billed Gulls was a far cry from the 984 of last year. It is possible more gulls were on Lake Sammamish but unseen because of rain and fog. There were very few gulls at Sunset Beach in Lake Sammamish State Park. Most of the 216 (140%) Glaucous-winged Gulls were in the Snoqualmie Valley near Carnation. Double-crested Cormorants (103, 71%) continued their decline in our circle. Great Blue Herons (39, 83%) had another low count this year. Green Heron eluded us this year.

Shorebirds

Killdeer (13, 28%) were well below average numbers, but Wilson’s Snipe (4, 100%) seen at Marymoor Park were on target. Spotted Sandpiper seen again along the eastern shore of Lake Sammamish was added in count week. 

Raptors and Owls

Bald Eagles (46, 115%) bumped up above average, but  Red-tailed Hawks (26, 68%) declined to the lowest count in over 20 years. This is after a high count of 54 in 2019. Five Northern Harriers were a relief after nine years of very low counts since six were seen in 2012. Six Cooper’s Hawks met the mean, and the only Sharp-shinned Hawk was a count week bird. Early morning rain hampered the count of owls, but a Barn Owl and two Barred Owls were found on count day and Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw Whet Owl were seen in count week.

Woodpeckers, Kingfisher, and Shrike

Northern Flickers (62, 68%) fell again against their average. Downy (18, 72%) and Hairy (7, 64%) Woodpeckers were both below their 10-year averages, and Pileated Woodpecker (1, 14%) was nearly missed. Red-breasted Sapsuckers (2, 25%) continued with decreasing numbers. Belted Kingfisher (5, 50%) was difficult to find. Northern Shrike was seen in count week. 

Corvids

Common Ravens (21, 111%) are now averaging 20 per count, and American Crows (965, 104%) are now averaging over 900 per count. Steller’s Jays (55, 50%) dropped again for the fourth consecutive year since a high count of 128 in 2017. We were unable to hike Tiger Mountain to look for Canada Jays this year.

Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Creepers

Black-capped (175, 54%) and Chestnut-backed Chickadees (91, 61%), and Bushtits (85, 56%) were all well below average numbers. Red-breasted Nuthatches (16, 62%) dropped even below the ten-year average of 26 from a high of 66 during last year’s irruption. However,  Brown Creepers (40, 174%) broke this pattern with large gains this year.  

Thrushes

Varied Thrushes (16, 40%) were seen in below average numbers. American Robins (382, 69%) continued with a second consecutive low count in the past 10 years and far below the high of 722 in 2017. A Hermit Thrush was seen in count week. 

Finches

There was little evidence in our count of a finch irruption to mirror last year’s high numbers of finches although a small wave in the winter after a major irruption is possible as winter continues. Pine Siskins (147, 19%) dropped to the lowest count since 2013. House Finch (75, 59%) which is not an irruptive species, tallied the lowest count in the past 20 years. One Purple Finch (1, 3%) was recorded on this year’s count. American Goldfinch (8, 19%) for the second year in a row posted in single digits. No crossbills or Evening Grosbeaks made the count this year. 

Sparrows

Many sparrow species were counted in average numbers. Song Sparrows (171, 78%) were well represented and Golden-crowned Sparrows (109, 102%) were in good shape. Dark-eyed Juncos (721, 96%) produced excellent numbers, and Fox Sparrows (39, 83%) rebounded nicely. White-crowned Sparrows (15, 43%) and Spotted Towhee (83, 61%) were below average. House Sparrows (33, 53%) tallied the lowest count since 2010. White-throated Sparrow and Lincoln Sparrow added to the total in count week. 

Blackbirds

Red-winged Blackbirds (140, 29%) were in extremely low numbers, and the large flocks of Brewer’s Blackbirds did not show up on count day but were added in count week. 

Count Week Birds

Many regularly occurring birds on the EAS CBC were missed on count day, but a search of eBird and reports from team members who scouted in the days before and after count day located 12 species to add for count week. This large number of bird species normally seen on count day supports anecdotal observations that birds were present in the area but remained unseen due to steady rain. The results make me consider the possibility of rescheduling the count in the event of severe weather. Changing a count employing tens of volunteers can be a difficult task, but count compilers might consider doing so to provide what would more likely be a more accurate accounting of the birds in a particular count circle.

I am grateful for the resolve of our volunteer team members and feeder watchers who limited by weather conditions completed the count of birds in our count circle. Thank you all for your dedication to the birds and for collecting important information which I have sent to National Audubon. 

Andy McCormick, CBC Compiler
Eastside Audubon Society
Kirkland, WA

Photo Credit by Penelope Kipps.

Misty Morning Bird Walk in the Snoqualmie Valley

Misty Morning Bird Walk in the Snoqualmie Valley – Jan. 16th , 2022

Written by Kendall Wiggins

Kendall Wiggins, Master of Education

On a foggy winter morning, it’s easy to miss the nondescript turn into the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area at Stillwater, located between Carnation and Duvall in the Snoqualmie Valley. One by one, cars pull off the highway into a tiny dirt parking lot surrounded by ponds and grasses. Here, among the reeds and water-filled potholes, a group of eager birders has gathered. The group comprises members of all ages and from many places, with a wealth of experiences to share. Chilly and excited, we set out along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, binoculars and scopes in hand.

Almost immediately, we are greeted by droves of vocal European starlings, red-winged blackbirds, and American robins perched at the tops of the bare winter trees. We spend time observing a mixed flock of ruby and golden-crowned kinglets, black-capped chickadees and brown creepers which seem to move with us down the trail. We wonder: Are we following them, or are they following us? 

Throughout the walk, song sparrows, spotted towhees, and Pacific wrens keep us company as they forage in the brush and on islands of grasses in the ponds along the trail. Keen eyes spot chestnut-backed chickadees, Bewick’s wrens and a fox sparrow in the nearby shrubs. Intermittent Steller’s jays undulate between trees overhead and a common raven calls from behind the tall conifers. In the distance, double-crested cormorants fly above the Snoqualmie River as it winds its way through the valley. 

Red-naped and Red-breasted Sapsucker Hybrid by Raghav Mehta

The trail is quiet for a while until we see a large flock of bushtits flitting through some low shrubs, accompanied by lone kinglets and chickadees. These adorable little birds lift our spirits as the fog begins to clear and we glimpse blue sky. Some group members continue ahead to spot the first waterfowl of the day, while others stick around and discover a sapsucker conundrum. 

After many minutes of deliberation with many group members weighing in, we decide this bird is most likely a red-breasted and red-naped sapsucker hybrid, though its call was clearly that of a red-breasted sapsucker. A bald eagle watches the entire exchange from a tree across the field.

Cover photo credit by Mick Thompson.

November Photo of the Month

November Photo of the Month

Raghav Mehta is the November winner of the Eastside Audubon Photo of the Month Award. At the group’s recent meeting, the participants selected Raghav's photo that captured an encounter between a harrier and an owl.

Raghav was well prepared for the chance conflict at the Fir Island Farm Reserve in Skagit County.

“I spotted the owl at a distance through my scope and had the camera setup on a tripod hoping that the owl might fly towards me”, he said.  “After a while, I saw a harrier gently glide in the general direction of the owl. The owl had spotted the harrier as well and tracked the harrier as it flew closer and closer to the owl's perch. When the harrier was about 6 feet from the owl, it decide to dive-bomb the owl to harass it in an attempt to chase it away from that territory.”

Raghav recently joined the EAS Photography Group. He is a self-taught photographer who has pursued wildlife photography as a hobby for the last 5 years.

“I find nature photography to be meditative and calming,” he says. “It takes a lot of effort and concentration to find a bird, absorb all the field marks and behavior, enjoy the beautiful colors and patterns, dial in the right camera settings, and then patiently wait for some magic to happen.”

To view more of his work, see his Instagram page.

The Photo of the Month award was instituted to recognize the work of the Photo Group Members. The group members meet monthly to show their latest photos and videos as well as share their knowledge of photography and wildlife. To attend the meeting, please join the group’s announcement list.

Photo details

The photo was shot on Canon EOS R5 with a Canon EF 600 mm f/4 IS III USM lens. The camera shutter speed was 1/800 of a second, ISO 500, and aperture setting of f/4.

Owl and Harrier by Raghav Mehta

River Center Makes Changes

Dungeness River Nature Center Has a New Mission, Name and Logo  

This fall the Dungeness River Audubon Center changed its name to the “Dungeness River Nature Center.” The new name reflects the River Center’s educational mission to teach children and adults about the natural environment of the Dungeness River watershed--from its head-waters in the alpine meadows of the Olympic Mountains to its estuary entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The expansion and remodel of the Center is five times larger than the original building at Railroad Bridge Park and will integrate the natural history and the S’Klallam culture of the Olympic Peninsula. 

The River Center’s partners, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, and the State and National Audubon Societies have collaborated on the new center. Powell Jones, River Center Director and Park Manager said, “Although we want to continue to be a go-to place for birds, we want visitors to come learn about the Dungeness River’s unique ecosystems and inhabitants that include salmon, mammals, insects, and plants. Additionally, we want to be a place where people come to learn about the special relationship that the Jamestown Tribe has had with this watershed for time immemorial.” Jones says. While “Audubon” has been part of the River Center’s name and logo since 1997, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has been an active partner since 1994. 

The River Center sits in the 75-acre Railroad Bridge Park, owned by the Tribe. The Tribe provides a full range of maintenance, repair, and Park and Center facilities upgrades; including caring for the historic railroad bridge that crosses the Dungeness River. “Our Tribe is very excited about this expansion of the Dungeness River Center,” says W. Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Chair and CEO. “The new name and logo reflect a turning of the page in this Tribal/community program’s purpose.”

“The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society will continue to sponsor and present bird-centric programs, field trips, Bird-Fest, and classes as core components of the Center’s expanded offerings,” says Ken Wiersema, OPAS President. We’re delighted to see the Pileated Woodpecker in Salish art, in the new logo. The National Audubon Society and their State office will continue to work in partnership with the Center to achieve our shared goals." said Wiersema. 

Statement By Bud Turner, logo artist of the Jamestown S’Klallam House of Myths

The Salish art form, that you see in this logo, was traditionally done through the craft of woodcarving. The Woodpecker, poised with his claws in the bark and his strong tail bracing him against the tree to carve out his nest, is at the center, encompassing most of its space. Between the Woodpecker and the tree is a long, flowing blue arc that represents the Dungeness River. 

The colors are simple but striking to the eye. [They] are warm and welcoming to the viewer, inviting all to come inside the Nature Center to explore and learn all about the complex watershed of the Dungeness River.” 

Cover photo Credit by Zach Taiji.

The Difficult Trek to Using Less Plastic

The Difficult Trek to Using Less Plastic 

Written by Lori Danielson

More than two years ago, I wrote about my journey to reduce plastics in my life. I want to reduce my contribution to the problem of plastics in the environment that kill birds and sea life, pollute land and oceans. I’ve learned that it’s probably impossible to avoid all plastic and it’s difficult to even reduce it, so there’s still a lot of plastic in my life. The pandemic made it even harder. But I thought I’d share a few of the changes I’ve made to stop buying plastic. 

Early on, I learned the best way to avoid plastic around food is to buy at farmer’s markets, locally-owned bakeries, butchers and seafood shops, bringing your own clean cloth or glass containers. They are the vendors most likely to sell unpackaged food and willing to put it into your container. So I have located my favorite local shops and buy as much as possible from them.

Finding a grocery store near you that sells food in bulk is also a good way to avoid plastic. The pandemic stopped most self-serve bulk food, but stores are starting to resume now. My own clean glass jars (with the tare weight recorded on the outside by a store clerk) or paper bags are how I transport the bulk food home, where I store it in glass containers.

I avoid single-use produce bags by bringing reusable nylon mesh or cloth bags for store-bought vegetables and fruit, and washing the bags after use. I look for things like peanut butter, mayonnaise and salad dressing packaged in glass jars or bottles. My glass jars take on a second life at home by storing many of the bulk food products or else they get recycled. I also store food in beeswax-coated cloth wraps and bags in the fridge and freezer to avoid plastic wrap and zip lock bags.

You may have deduced that I cook a lot from scratch to avoid plastic-wrapped food, and you’re right. Nearly all ready-to-eat and prepared food comes in plastic, so I made a commitment to cook more like my grandparents and great-grandparents did. It’s an important part of the effort.  

Besides food, lots of plastic enters my life from products used in the bathroom, such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, floss and cosmetics, and this plastic is even more difficult to avoid. But bar soap and shampoo bars have become my new habits, as well as using silk floss and brushing my teeth without toothpaste. I know that sounds a little radical. Each of us needs to decide what is acceptable for ourselves. 

An internet search for “plastic free” or “zero waste” will result in many online stores, articles and blogs about how to reduce plastic use. I’ve found the products at etee.com and zerowastecartel.com have helped me in my journey. I’d love to hear your tips and favorites too. Write me at president@eastsideaudubon.org.

Join Climate Watch: Audubon’s New Survey

Join Climate Watch: Audubon’s New Survey

Written by Andy McCormick

Eastside Audubon is participating in Climate Watch, a new twice-a-year survey of Red-breasted Nuthatches and Spotted Towhees. The chapter sponsors four surveys in winter and summer, and we are recruiting people to join each of the teams. Contact Andy McCormick at amccormick@eastsideaudubon.org if you are interested in participating or want more information. 

The four surveys are conducted within the Eastside Audubon service area at St. Edward State Park in Kenmore, Clyde Hill, Tradition Lake in Issaquah, and Rattlesnake Lake in North Bend. Each survey consists of 5-minute counts at  each of 12 points which are at least 200 meters apart. Each survey takes about three hours to complete. Surveys by the team leaders have been conducted for the past two years and now we are looking to build teams for each of the surveys. 

The next survey will be held at the end of January with final dates being announced soon. Team leaders are Andy McCormick and Jeremy Lucas. Bird counts are tallied on eBird checklists for each point and then submitted online to National Audubon. 

The purpose of the Climate Watch surveys is to test National Audubon’s hypothesis that birds will be changing their range in winter and summer as a result of rising global temperatures, lengthening of summer, and shortening of winter. The surveys will be conducted twice annually indefinitely, much in the same way that the Christmas Bird Count provides annual data about the abundance and presence of birds. 

Contact: Andy McCormick, amccormick@eastsideaudubon.org