Newer members of the Whidbey Audubon Society Bird Specimen Collection team were treated to a late April behind-the-scenes visit to the Puget Sound Museum of Natural History, located at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. The museum contains more than 28,000 bird specimens, including extinct species such as the Passenger Pigeon and parts of birds. Ellie Olpin (Education and Outreach Director) and Gary Shugart (Collections Manager) displayed specimens, shared archiving methods, and described feather structure research to Patricia Duarte and Linda Rhodes. Patricia learned useful techniques for preparing and displaying skeletons, a special interest for her.

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.

Inappropriate lighting can also be harmful to birds who migrate here to nest and to our year-round resident birds. When confused by lighting, birds waste valuable time and energy when avoiding or trying to understand the situation. Making small changes in lighting around your own home or workplace can produce big benefits for your local birds.

The Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) is seeking volunteers to join this long-running community science program.

Volunteers take part in seven coordinated surveys at coastal sites, conducted once per month on the first Saturday from October through April.

Photo by John Strung, Long-tailed Duck.

Linda Rhodes was elected as the next Vice President at the May 14 Annual Membership Meeting. The board is looking for other cabinet and committee members, including the Conservation, Education and Program committees.

Birding in Neighborhoods North (BIN North) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month. We meet at 9 am in the parking area of the trip’s location. To be added to — or removed from — the monthly outing reminders, email Nancy Luenn

Early Spring is still loaded with duck sightings at Deer Lagoon (everything but Wigeons!) - Ring-necks, Buffleheads, scaup, goldeneyes, Mallards, Pintails, and geese, Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers, and everyone is stunning in their new seasonal plumage.

Birding in Neighborhoods South (BIN South) meets every other Thursday morning. Contact Cathi Bower.

Seven people came to the Freeland County Park Small Sit on a damp Saturday, April 11, to enjoy a variety of fauna including both birds and sea mammals! Two children in attendance looked at the wildlife and played on the playground.

The rain subsided just after the beginning of the Sit and conveniently stayed away until just before the Sit ended, giving us humid conditions but good lighting for viewing out on the water.

Karen Posner, long-time Whidbey Audubon Society (WAS) member and resident of Greenbank, took over as editor for Shorelines during production of the April 2026 edition. We talked to her about her role as editor and learned a bit about her background.

Lyla Biddle, Deception Pass State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist writes this trip description:

On April 4th, 23 field trip attendees enjoyed a stunning spring day at Rosario Beach. The morning began with trip leader Madrone Ruggiero providing some hands-on learning in the form of several sleepy moths, a valuable food source for a variety of bird species found in the park.

Our planet’s animals adapted in a dark environment and artificial light can have dire consequences for their behavior and survival. There has been rising awareness of the potential impact of light pollution on bird migration, but the problem extends well beyond migration season. Whidbey Audubon Society (WAS) has several resources illustrating the effects of light pollution on various fauna (including us!)

An election will be held at the May 14 membership meeting to fill the position of Vice President of the Board of Directors.  The position is for a two-year term.  There is no candidate for the position of President.

We are exceptionally fortunate to have a strong candidate for the Vice Present position, current Board Member at Large Linda Rhodes.