The Basic Bird Photography classes in April and early May were a great success. The single-session introductory class was offered on three separate days at no cost as a “members only” benefit to WAS members. I enjoyed helping others with their photography skills and camera frustrations. Bird photography is hard. With only two hours, it was a challenge to pack as much information in so little time. Working with each group was a lot of fun and it was encouraging to see a student’s “light bulb” go off.

Of course, birds and plants go together better than just about anything. Last month Whidbey Audubon joined up with the WSU Master Gardeners all day Whidbey Gardening Workshop and marketplace on Saturday, March 21. We shared bird and habitat insights with the gardeners who came through, and also shared the space with Pacific Rim Institute. We really fit nicely there together.

Our much-loved picture windows have been killing birds for generations because birds can’t distinguish habitat reflected in windows from real trees and sky. Have any birds hit your windows this year? There are simple actions you can take to prevent bird window strikes and save lives.

Bird nesting is in full swing, and our actions can support or jeopardize eggs and nestlings. Steve Ellis shares guidelines for observing nests and actions you can take to give birds a better chance of reproducing.