Events List
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle.
On Fidalgo Island, go west on Rosario Road then left on Rosario Beach Road. Look for the Rosario Head Trailhead parking lot. Meet at the grassy area just down from the parking lot, near the picnic shelter. Look for the large sign, “Bird Walk.”
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist Akiko Nakagawa and Whidbey Audubon partner Dave Krause.
For more information contact Akiko or call 651-324-6099.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - North Whidbey” (BIN North) meets the second Wednesday of the month. Our hosts and contacts are Nancy Luenn and Denise Marion.
“Birding in Neighborhoods” are outings in search of birds. Generally, these are morning outings identifying bird species in different areas of Whidbey Island though we may occasionally travel off-island to see especially interesting birding areas. These outings are a great way to learn about birding areas on Whidbey Island, hone your bird identification abilities and if you are just starting, get support from other birders. This is “no pressure” birding with birders at every level.
A squadron of White Pelicans framed by autumn-hued trees at Deer Lagoon. Photo by David Welton
Join us for the second year of our annual festival, Wings over Whidbey, Saturday, May 11, 2024. It is a one-day community birding festival with educational and informational presentations, guided birding tours, children’s activities and more. The festival is at the Pacific Rim Institute amongst the forest and prairie vistas of central Whidbey Island. It is also in conjunction with the Pacific Rim Institute’s Prairie Days on May 10 and 11. It will have a native plant sale, prairie tours and more!
Please check regularly for updates on the Wings over Whidbey page.
Susanne Ohrvik presents her recent book; in the Children’s Activity Tent at Pacific Rim Institute.
Susanne Ohrvik
About the Author:
Susanne Öhrvik grew up in Sweden, and moved to the US in her mid-20’s. She has lived on the same corner in Langley since 1994, with a brief hiatus back in Sweden and onward to Quebec from 2010-2017. She has taken numerous and various art classes over the years, mainly in ceramics, illustration, and painting. Both at home and while moving around the world, art kept her grounded while feeding her with friendship, beauty, and fun. She finds inspiration for her paintings and artwork in nature and the quirky people and animals around her.
During March and April Susanne's art, including several bird paintings and prints, will be on display at the Unitarian Congregation north of Freeland. The show is open to the public on Sunday mornings from 9-10 and 11-12 AM before and after the service.
Join us for a fascinating presentation in the Pacific Rim Institute’s Grange Building.
Many people are unaware of the fascinating diversity of bees and other pollinators around the world. For example, in the state of Washington alone there are upwards of 700 species of native bees. To the naked eye, many of these organisms look like nothing more than a mundane house fly. Through the macro lens, however, a vastly different world is revealed. In this presentation, Aidan will showcase the beautiful bees and pollinators of Washington and beyond. He hopes that his photography will spark interest in the too often forgotten yet vitally important world of bees and pollinators.
Aidan Hersh
About the Presenter:
Aidan Hersh is a macrophotographer and native bee enthusiast living in Bellingham, WA. After picking up a used camera in 2020 and participating in the Xerces Society Bumble Bee Atlas, he began pursuing a career in native bee ecology and conservation. He currently serves on the board of the Washington Native Bee Society, the steering committee of the Washington Bee Atlas, and is leading an effort to database all of the bee specimens in the Western Washington University Insect Collection. He hopes that his photography will bring more attention to the small organisms that make up the world around us, especially bees. His photography can be found on Instagram @photo.by.aidan.
About the Washington Native Bee Society:
The Washington Native Bee Society was created in 2020 with the aim of providing a common location for all of Washington's solitary bee enthusiasts to convene in a semi-social way. We may not have a hive mind but will work together to share resources and information. We strive to build productive relationships and to make a positive impact by promoting awareness and conservation of Washington’s native bees. If you have an interest in native bees, we welcome you to join us for monthly meetings, held via Zoom every fourth Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Bring your children and yourselves to this engaging talk that is so on-target for exploring Whidbey Island’s outdoors; in the Children’s Activity Tent at Pacific Rim Institute.
Karen DeWitz
About the Author
Author and photographer Karen DeWitz has a rich background in instruction, outdoor education, and photography. With a master’s degree in education and experience both in the classroom and in Northwest wild places, she understands how to intrigue and inspire young people. Her books, Look at That Bird! A Young Naturalist’s Guide to Pacific Northwest Birding and Let’s Explore the Beach! A Young Naturalist’s Guide to Pacific Coastal Wildlife encourage kids and their families to get outside and get excited about the fascinating nature all around us.
Join us for a fun and fascinating presentation in the Pacific Rim Institute’s Grange Building.
Birds or butterflies - which do I choose? Good news! Not only do you not have to choose - they are surprisingly complimentary! But how does one go butterflying, and how do we incorporate it into birding? Where does one go to find butterflies in Washington? David will introduce you to the world of butterflies, and how they relate to the birds. With stunning colors and amazing life histories, you might just find the itch to start chasing butterflies. Make 2024 the year of the butterflies!
David Dropper
About the Presenter:
David Droppers has been teaching courses on topics from birds to butterflies to trees to microorganisms for a variety of groups, including college biology courses and nonprofit environmental groups. He has put his expertise to work for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, University of Washington and Woodland Park Zoo, among many others. He is ecstatic about sharing his passion for the natural world with others who wish to learn. His enthusiasm is contagious!
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Please send articles, photos and announcements for the June 2024 Shorelines to Prescott. If you are running late, let me know when to expect your article and what it’s about. You may also phone or text 360-682-8642. There is no Shorelines published in July or August so plan to include items for early September as well.
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle. On Fidalgo Island, go west on Rosario Road then left on Rosario Beach Road. Look for the Rosario Head Trailhead parking lot. Meet at the grassy area just down from the parking lot, near the picnic shelter. Look for a large sign, “Bird Walk.”
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist Akiko Nakagawa and Whidbey Audubon partner Carlos Andersen.
For more information contact Akiko or call 651-324-6099.
Fish have been a rich source of food for birds for millions of years - certainly long enough for avians to have evolved many styles of fishing. In this series of four classes, master birder Constance Sidles will show you the strategies different species of birds use to go fishing. They are by turns ingenious, persistent, patient, aggressive, cooperative, and altogether wondrous. Come to the sea, the rivers, ponds and lakes with Connie as she tells you about the Plungers and the Pickers; the Snatchers and the Stalkers; the Chasers and the Scoopers - including her favorites, the pelicans.
Classes on Zoom – Wednesdays – 7:00-8:30
May 22
May 29
June 5
June 12
Cost - $100
Constance Sidles is the founder and president of Constancy Press, LLC. Before beginning Constancy Press, Sidles was a production consultant with more than 30 years of experience in print production. She has been production editor and/or managing editor for many publications, including The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, The Adventure Travel Association, Teleflora and Pacific Northwest Magazine. She has operated her own production consultancy for 25 years, specializing in production planning, color printing, and trouble-shooting for commercial clients and publications. In addition, she serves as a judge for Sappi Paper’s International Printer of the Year Award (Sappi is the world’s largest producer of publication papers).
Sidles has written more than 550 feature articles in 65 different publications and has been a contributing writer to How Magazine, Magazine Design & Production, and Adobe Magazine. Sidles has authored four print production and design books. Her latest book is In My Nature, a book about the relationship between wild nature and human nature.
Sidles has served on several boards of directors, including the Seattle School Board (elected in 1987; served four years), the Advertising Production Association of Puget Sound, Friends of the Washington Commission for the Humanities, and the Institute for Soldier Healing. She also served for many years on the Graphics Advisory Committee and the Vocational Education Advisory Committee of the Seattle Public School District.
Sidles graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago with a degree in Egyptology. She is a master birder with more than 600 North American birds on her life list. She has led several trips for Seattle Audubon Society and currently serves as chair of Seattle Audubon’s Publications Committee. While serving on this committee, she helped produce revised and/or reprinted versions of Amphibians of the Pacific Northwest, Reptiles of Washington & Oregon, Butterflies of Cascadia, A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Washington and NW Oregon, and Dragonflies of Washington.
She has written about her experiences and thoughts at the Montlake Fill, where she observes wildlife.
Any member is welcome to attend the monthly Whidbey Audubon Society Board meetings. Only board members may vote. The meetings are usually the fourth Thursday of each month, except November, July and August. The President or Board Members have the right to call special meetings. The November meeting is usually the second Thursday in December, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday in November.
To attend or to put an item on the agenda contact the President. Location to be announced.
This is the second session of a four-session class taught by Connie Sidle.
Classes on Zoom – Wednesdays – 7:00-8:30
May 22
May 29
June 5
June 12
This is the third session of a four-session class taught by Connie Sidle.
Classes on Zoom – Wednesdays – 7:00-8:30
May 22
May 29
June 5
June 12
This is the fourth session of a four-session class taught by Connie Sidle.
Classes on Zoom – Wednesdays – 7:00-8:30
May 22
May 29
June 5
June 12
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Any member is welcome to attend the monthly Whidbey Audubon Society Board meetings. Only board members may vote. The meetings are usually the fourth Thursday of each month, except November, July and August. The President or Board Members have the right to call special meetings. The November meeting is usually the second Thursday in December, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday in November.
To attend or to put an item on the agenda contact the President. Location to be announced.
Zoom Course
This is the fourth session of a four -session class taught by Thomas Bancroft.
Go here to learn more about this class.
Classes on Zoom – Tuesdays – 7:00-8:30
April 2 - Listening to and understanding bird songs and calls
April 9 - Working through Suburban Bird Songs
April 16 - Species Groups
April 23 - Habitats and Similar Sounding Songs
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle. Meet at the lower Bowman Bay parking lot, near the boat launch and large notice board. There will be a large sign, “Bird Walk.”
Note: There will be lots of other Earth Day programs at Bowman Bay that day! Check them out.
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist Akiko Nakagawa and Whidbey Audubon partner Kim Shepard..
For more information contact Akiko or call 651-324-6099.For more information contact Joy.
Please send articles, photos and announcements for the May 2024 Shorelines to Prescott. If you are running late, let me know when to expect your article and what it’s about. You may also phone or text 360-682-8642.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Zoom Course
This is the third session of a four -session class taught by Thomas Bancroft.
Go here to learn more about this class.
Classes on Zoom – Tuesdays – 7:00-8:30
April 2 - Listening to and understanding bird songs and calls
April 9 - Working through Suburban Bird Songs
April 16 - Species Groups
April 23 - Habitats and Similar Sounding Songs
Join Govinda Holtby to witness and marvel at the early spring migration at Lone Lake and Langley marina. We hope to see new arrivals, those just passing thru, and catch last glimpses of our wintering friends soon to depart.
We will Meet at Bayview Park & Ride and carpool to our first stop Lone Lake public boat launch and then on to Langley Marina.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - North Whidbey” (BIN North) meets the second Wednesday of the month. Our hosts and contacts are Nancy Luenn and Denise Marion.
“Birding in Neighborhoods” are outings in search of birds. Generally, these are morning outings identifying bird species in different areas of Whidbey Island though we may occasionally travel off-island to see especially interesting birding areas. These outings are a great way to learn about birding areas on Whidbey Island, hone your bird identification abilities and if you are just starting, get support from other birders. This is “no pressure” birding with birders at every level.
Zoom Course
This is the second session of a four -session class taught by Thomas Bancroft.
Go here to learn more about this class.
Classes on Zoom – Tuesdays – 7:00-8:30
April 2 - Listening to and understanding bird songs and calls
April 9 - Working through Suburban Bird Songs
April 16 - Species Groups
April 23 - Habitats and Similar Sounding Songs
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle. Meet at the lower Bowman Bay parking lot, near the boat launch and large notice board. There will be a large sign, “Bird Walk.”
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist Akiko Nakagawa and Whidbey Audubon partner Dyanne Sheldon.
For more information contact Akiko or call 651-324-6099.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Zoom Course
Birds sing, and their songs are music to our ears. All through spring and summer, their sounds add a special sense to our time outside. Learning to identify birds by song is a skill that will allow you to find more species on your outings. With this knowledge, you will notice species on your walks to the mailbox or in your neighborhood that you might not have realized were around. Learning to identify birds by sound should enhance your outdoor experience and contribute to your sense of joy.
This course will build your skills in song and call identification. We will start with identifying song types, how to describe songs, and recognizing different patterns. We will explore this both through the ear and visually with sonograms. Second, we will tackle 30 or so common species found in suburban neighborhoods and local parks. This part will allow you to learn songs of species you might see regularly. Third, we will explore difficult species groups like flycatchers, warblers, and sparrows. Finally, we will look at similar-sounding songs and what species might be found in specific habitats. Distribution and habitat information can enhance your ability to identify a species.
Throughout the course, we will explore various tools, including Merlin, that might help you identify species. The course will consist of four presentations over Zoom, a series of self-grading quizzes, access to sound recordings made in Washington and Oregon, and additional material, including copies of the PowerPoint and video recordings of the presentation.
You will leave this course with a much better understanding of bird songs, how to identify them, tools to help you learn them, and how to build your abilities with practice. Most importantly, this will be fun and add to your enjoyment of birds.
Classes on Zoom – Tuesdays – 7:00-8:30
April 2 - Listening to and understanding bird songs and calls
April 9 - Working through Suburban Bird Songs
April 16 - Species Groups
April 23 - Habitats and Similar Sounding Songs
Cost - $120
Thomas Bancroft has been a birder all his life and has a Ph.D. in Ornithology. He has birded in 48 states, several Canadian providences, and six continents. Tom has identified more than 560 species in the United States and slightly over 2,000 worldwide. Birds have been a big part of his life, recreationally and professionally. Their identification, ecology, behavior, and systematics were central to his undergraduate and graduate schooling and remain a fundamental interest. Between undergraduate and graduate school, he worked in the bird laboratory at Carnegie Museum, analyzing bird banding data and helping with the banding program at Powdermill Nature Reserve.
He studied Florida Scrub-Jays, Blue Jays, and Boat-tailed Grackles in graduate school. While working for National Audubon, his fieldwork on wading birds and White-crowned Pigeons helped move the conservation agenda forward. Just before moving to Seattle, Thomas served as Chief Scientist for National Audubon, helping them integrate with the work of Birdlife International all across the Americas and advising the Department of Interior on their guidelines for siting wind turbines. His professional career has focused on the protection of birds, the restoration of habitats and populations, and the integration of science into policy. He remains active in pushing a conservation agenda.
Tom now teaches, leads field trips, and writes about birds and nature. His essays have been published in WOS News, the Mountaineers Magazine, Birding Magazine, American Birds, and several other places. He is working on several books that hopefully will be published soon.
Tom is a Scientific Advisor to BirdNote and served a 6-year appointment to Washington Audubon’s board. He volunteers for the Washington Ornithological Society and the Mountaineers.
Any member is welcome to attend the monthly Whidbey Audubon Society Board meetings. Only board members may vote. The meetings are usually the fourth Thursday of each month, except November, July and August. The President or Board Members have the right to call special meetings. The November meeting is usually the second Thursday in December, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday in November.
To attend or to put an item on the agenda contact the President. Location to be announced.
Please send articles, photos and announcements for the April 2024 Shorelines to Prescott. If you are running late, let me know when to expect your article and what it’s about. You may also phone or text 360-682-8642.
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle. Meet at the Cornet Bay parking lot, near the bathroom shelter and look for the large “Bird Walk” sign.
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist Akiko Nakagawa and Whidbey Audubon partner Patty Cheek.
For more information contact Akiko or call 651-324-6099.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
David Droppers with large moth on his nose.
There is so much more to moths than you realize, a world more! Not only are they far more important pollinators than people realize, but they're also key to getting more birds in your yard. How? David will explain that by becoming a moth-er, and catering to the night-shift pollinators in your gardens, you'll also be setting the dinner plate for your birds. And those moths— oh, what a world of wonders they hold, so complimentary to birds and indeed wholly unique. You'll never think of a moth the same way again.
David Droppers has been teaching courses on topics from birds to butterflies to trees to microorganisms for a variety of groups, including college biology courses and nonprofit environmental groups. He has put his expertise to work for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, University of Washington and Woodland Park Zoo, among many others. He is ecstatic about sharing his passion for the natural world with others who wish to learn. His enthusiasm is said to be contagious!
Join us for this Hybrid meeting at the Unitarian meeting house.
If not attending in person, register below to receive a Zoom link.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - North Whidbey” (BIN North) meets the second Wednesday of the month. Our hosts and contacts are Nancy Luenn and Denise Marion.
“Birding in Neighborhoods” are outings in search of birds. Generally, these are morning outings identifying bird species in different areas of Whidbey Island though we may occasionally travel off-island to see especially interesting birding areas. These outings are a great way to learn about birding areas on Whidbey Island, hone your bird identification abilities and if you are just starting, get support from other birders. This is “no pressure” birding with birders at every level.
Steve and Martha Ellis talk about Ravens, Crows ad Jays for Sno-Isle Reads program.
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle. Meet at the lower Bowman Bay parking lot, near the boat launch and large notice board. There will be a large sign “Bird Walk.”
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist Akiko Nakagawa and Whidbey Audubon partner Sarah Schmidt.
For more information contact Akiko or call 651-324-6099.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle.
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park naturalist Joy Sullivan and Whidbey Audubon partner Steve Ellis.
For more information contact Joy.
Any member is welcome to attend the monthly Whidbey Audubon Society Board meetings. Only board members may vote. The meetings are usually the fourth Thursday of each month, except November, July and August. The President or Board Members have the right to call special meetings. The November meeting is usually the second Thursday in December, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday in November.
To attend or to put an item on the agenda contact the President. Location to be announced.
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Come see the winter birds of the Skagit Flats, Fir Island and Samish Flats. Typically there are large concentrations of waterfowl and raptors. The area is considered one of the top winter raptor viewing sites in the U.S. Some walking will be involved; be prepared for some mud. A Discover Pass or day permit will be needed for each car. Due to narrow road shoulders and limited parking, carpools are particularly important. To join a carpool, meet at 8 a.m. at the Bayview Park & Ride or 8:45 at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor. Bring a lunch for this all-day field trip. We plan to return to Oak Harbor about 5 p.m. Trip leaders are Patty Cheek and Cathi Bower.
Please send articles, photos and announcements for the March 2024 Shorelines to Prescott. If you are running late, let me know when to expect your article and what it’s about. You may also phone or text 360-682-8642.
