Volunteers conducting surveys © Toby Ross
The Puget Sound Seabird Survey is looking for birders to join this established Community Science program!
Now in its 16th season, you’ll be contributing to valuable science that monitors wintering seabirds across Puget Sound and informs important management decisions. Volunteers are asked to conduct 7 surveys with a small team of fellow surveyors at specific coastal locations. All surveys are synchronized to take place once per month on the first Saturday, October – April. You will be provided training in the survey technique, and ideally will have good seabird identification skills. However, there are roles on the survey team for birders of all levels. This year we started working with the University of Washington on a major research study focusing on seabird distribution and population trends. We’re also planning to collaborate with Birds Canada on a project that will examine the status of seabirds across the entire Salish Sea ecosystem. More information on PSSS can be found on the Puget Sound Bird Observatory website along with a fun Seabird ID quiz. If you’re interested in taking part, please complete this application form or reach out to Program Manager Toby Ross t_ross@pugetsoundbirds.org
Links contained in text:
PSBO Website – https://www.pugetsoundbirds.org/about-psss
Seabird ID quiz - https://forms.gle/4qZZNMvfVmE4yfh68
PSSS Application Form - https://form.jotform.com/241365687010151
Image credit:
Northern Shoveler © Ellen & Tony (no surname provided)
Volunteers conducting survey © Toby Ross
According to National Geographic, plastic recycling rates are alarmingly low. In the United States, of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in 2021, only 5% to 6% (approximately two million tons) was recycled. As a result of so much plastic waste (everywhere), microplastics are emerging as a serious threat to birds and animals. We can and must do better in reducing our carbon footprint. If you’re reading this article, you’re likely already making efforts to be more environmentally friendly, but here are a couple of ideas to cut back on plastic usage:
Let’s do away with laundry jugs! They are cumbersome, mostly filled with water, and rarely recycled even if you put them in your recycling bin. Laundry sheets are a better alternative for the environment. Now the hard part: Which laundry sheets are best, and are they as effective as liquids? Finding a solution that works for you may take some trial and error, but for everyday washes, consider these brands: ECOS, Tru Earth, Eco Roots, HeySunday, Earth Breeze, and Blueland. Look for products made in North America, using non-toxic materials, B-certified companies, vegan ingredients, and packaged in recycled or compostable materials. For deep stains, though, you may still prefer liquids.
There are many options for dishwashing that minimize environmental impact. The editors at The Reduce Report reviewed over a dozen brands, considering ingredients, emissions, and plastic reduction. Their top picks include Ecover, Dropps, and Thrive Market dishwasher powder. These brands are phosphate-free, fragrance-free (optional), hypoallergenic, and chlorine-free. They also mention Seventh Generation as a budget-friendly option when Thrive Market is not on sale.
Sustainable Jungle recommends Claro All-in-One Phosphate-Free Eco Dishwasher Tablets for excellent cleaning results without phosphates or chlorine. They also rate Ecoleaf Dishwasher Tablets, which come with a built-in rinse aid.
See you next month!
What is a 2024 collectible pin? I am glad you asked! We are creating an annual pin that will be different year-to-year for our members, volunteers, and friends to collect. It’s a fun way to create some swag that will change every year.
We’re seeking designs for the new pin. We ask that design submissions include the following:
Incorporate either “Eastside Audubon” or “EAS”.
Make sure the year 2024 is the design.
The Pin will be small, approx. 1x1”, so please make sure your design is bold.
Birds included in the design should be birds found in Washington State. Seabirds found in our coastal waters or migratory birds also count!
No need to try to copy our current logo, or use a Stellar’s Jay. We’re looking for a fresh and creative design for the pin. This contest is open to everyone, regardless of involvement or location.
Our members will select the winner by voting on the artwork. We will use the winning artwork and make the pins.
When thinking about your design, remember the final product will be a lapel pin meant to fit on a lanyard or hat, so don’t get too crazy with a lot of detail. The winner will also be featured in an article in the Corvid Crier.
Please email your submission to office@eastsideaudubon.org
Let’s see what you got!!!
The environmental impact of traditional toilet paper production is significant with millions of trees harvested annually and the use of chemicals contributing to water pollution. However, there are sustainable alternatives that can help reduce this footprint. Recycled and bamboo toilet paper are excellent options. For instance, brands like Betterway Bamboo Toilet Paper and Who Gives A Crap offer eco-friendly products that are not only gentle on the environment but also on the skin. These companies are committed to practices like using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified bamboo and donating a portion of their profits to environmental and sanitation projects. Additionally, the use of bidets can further decrease the reliance on toilet paper, offering a cleaner and potentially more hygienic solution while also being environmentally friendly.
Making these small changes in our daily lives can contribute significantly to the conservation of our planet's resources and the betterment of global sanitation conditions. It's a step towards a greener and more sustainable future for all.
Our family has been buying Premium Bamboo toilet paper from Who Gives A Crap for the past several years and love both the company and their product. Who Gives A Crap donates 50% of their profits to build toilets in Third World Countries and is a B Certified Company.
Additional resources: The Best Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper (treehugger.com)
See you next month!
Birdathon is a fundraising event that lasts for the entire month of May. The funds we raise support our efforts in promoting birds, education, and conservation. Last year, we reached out to children and adults at various schools and events to educate the public about the beauty of birds. We planted and cared for hundreds of native trees and shrubs in Marymoor Park. We provided numerous field trips. All of this made possible by your contributions. This year, we have already given away hundreds of trees to landowners to plant in their yards and have partnered with another nonprofit to plant “mini-forests” in degraded areas around our service area.
For 11 months a year, we offer field trips for anyone who simply signs up. In May, we ask that each participant donate $25 for each field trip they would like to attend. We have some great fieldtrips scheduled and encourage everyone to sign up for as many of these as you can! See our May calendar. And please don’t forget to register and donate!
A big day is simply any day in the month of May where a team goes out and counts as many birds as possible. You can support one of our teams by pledging a dollar amount for each bird species that team sees. For example, if you pledge $1.00 per species and that team sees 100 birds, you helped us raise $100.00! Simply go to our Birdathon page and click on the team you wish to support!
How is a Global Big Day different than a Teams Big Day? A Global Big Day is not a team event where you raise money, but an individual event where you pay $25.00 to join. On May 11, we invite you to participate in the eBird Global Big Day. For $25.00, you can challenge yourself against other Eastside Audubon Birders to see who saw the most bird species and gain bragging rights! You can learn more by going to our Global Big Day page. Do note that using eBird and connecting it to Eastside Audubon is a requirement, which you can find instructions on how to do that on our Global Big Day page.
Do you just want to make it simple and contribute to our Birdathon efforts to raise funds? We have a plan for that. Please consider making a contribution through Paypal at this link or consider mailing us a check at:
Eastside Audubon
PO Box 3113
7241 185 th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98073
No matter which method you choose to support Eastside Audubon, your support is needed more than ever. We are grateful to all our supporters, members, and volunteers. You really do keep the birds singing by connecting people to nature.
As always, I am here to answer any questions you may have. Please reach out to me at president@eastsideaudubon.org
With gratitude,
Jeremy Lucas
President, Eastside Audubon Society
Check out our Birdathon page for more information!
Birdathon is a fundraising event that lasts for the entire month of May. The funds we raise support our efforts in promoting birds, education, and conservation. Last year, we reached out to children and adults at various schools and events to educate the public about the beauty of birds. We planted and cared for hundreds of native trees and shrubs in Marymoor Park. We provided numerous field trips. All of this made possible by your contributions. This year, we have already given away hundreds of trees to landowners to plant in their yards and have partnered with another nonprofit to plant “mini-forests” in degraded areas around our service areas.
There are 4 ways you can get involved and help us meet our Birdathon goals.
For 11 months a year, we offer field trips to anyone for free. In May, we ask that each participant donate $25 for each field trip they would like to attend. We have some great trips planned would love to invite each and every one of you. Keep an eye on our May calendar as we finalize the details. And please don’t forget to register and donate!
A big day is simply any day in the month of May where a team goes out and counts as many birds as possible. If you would like to motivate teams to raise money and see lots of birds, simply go to our Birdathon page and click on the team you wish to support! You can also reach out to the team leader for other donation options.
How is a Global Big Day different than a Teams Big Day? A Global Big Day is not a team event where you raise money, but an individual event where you pay $25.00 to join. On May 11, we would invite you to participate in the eBird Global Big Day. For $25.00, you can challenge yourself against other Eastside Audubon Birders to see who saw the most bird species and gain bragging rights! You can learn more by going to our Global Big Day page. Do note that using eBird and connecting it to Eastside Audubon is a requirement, which you can find instructions on how to do that on our Global Big Day page.
Do you just want to make it simple and contribute to our Birdathon efforts to raise funds? We have a plan for that. Please consider making a contribution by going here or consider mailing us a check at:
Eastside Audubon
PO Box 3113
7241 185th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98073
No matter which method you choose to support Eastside Audubon, your support is needed more than ever. We are grateful to all of our supporters, members, and volunteers. You really do keep the birds singing by connecting people to nature.
As always, I am here to answer any questions you may have. Please reach out to me at president@eastsideaudubon.org
With gratitude,
Jeremy Lucas
President, Eastside Audubon Society
We have lost 3 out of every 5 Rufous Hummingbirds since 1970, reflecting an urgent need for on-the-ground conservation of both their winter habitat in Mexico and summer habitat in the United States.
Each spring, more than half of our nation's bird species return from their wintering habitat in Latin America and the Caribbean, including beloved yet declining songbirds and shorebirds.
We have lost three billion birds in North America alone since 1970, and to stem the tide of further devastating losses of migratory birds, we need to conserve their habitats across the Western Hemisphere.
The bipartisan Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act (H.R. 4389/S. 4022) would do just that by increasing on-the-ground conservation projects.
Taking action makes a difference. Sign at the link below to help support funding for conservation projects that support migratory birds.
