Summer Deer Lagoon Preserve Efforts
Carlos Anderson shares updates on the Conservation Committee’s work to preserve Deer Lagoon this summer, including putting up additional Important Bird Area signs at the Preserve and advocating for a burn ban that would limit the fireworks use that harms American White Pelicans and Bald Eagles.
Whidbey Audubon Launches New Eagle Alert Signs Program
This July, Whidbey Audubon’s Conservation Committee piloted a new program to help protect bald eagle nests—especially those with vulnerable fledglings—from the impacts of fireworks. Signs posted near nests raised public awareness, encouraged reporting of violations, and provided added protection during the holiday season. The pilot was a success and will return next year.
Whidbey Audubon Society Named the Official Adopt-a-Park Steward for Deer Lagoon Preserve
Linda Rhodes writes about the importance of this new designation and describes how to become a volunteer Adopt-a-Park steward.
Birding in Neighborhoods South - Summer Sightings
Throughout summer we visited a half dozen locations - from Possession Point at the far tip of the Island and the Glendale (AKA Possession Sound Preserve) Pigeon Guillemot colony where we watched PIGU deliver a fish to its burrow and saw a lone and early southbound Swan, up to Greenbank Farm where we spied….
Director’s Report from the National Audubon Leadership Conference
When I initially heard about the 2025 National Audubon Leadership Conference in Montreál, I quickly put aside the idea of attending. Even ignoring the distance to Quebec, the entrance fee for the event was expensive, and I suspected (correctly) that very few chapters would be attending from our state. Even so, as the conference crept closer, I had a nagging feeling that I had to go, knowing that the opportunity to connect with both the larger international conservation community and the hundreds of Audubon chapter leaders from around the country was one I couldn’t let pass by. Just a few hours before the registration closed….
Birding in Neighborhoods North–Summer Sightings
BIN-North birders met three times this summer, including in a trip with BIN-South in August. Highlights included watching the antics of a family of California Quail, being buzzed by a territorial Red-breasted Nuthatch, and seeing a mother river otter and her pup catching fish among the tide pools. Find out else delighted and surprised the group in Nancy’s BIN-North report.
Connecting with the Community at Whidbey Renaissance Fair
Whidbey Audubon had a magical time connecting with more than a hundred bird lovers at this year’s Whidbey Renaissance Faire! From curious kids to new volunteers, read about all the exciting connections we made in our full event recap.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South
On the first of the month, between wandering the Greenbank Farm grounds and our stroll to the Wonn beach access, we identified at least 36 species. There was a little of everything, including the most exciting, a closeup look at a gorgeous pair of Blue-winged Teal right there in the pond…
Western Purple Martin Nesting Updates, Call for Volunteer Monitors
The future is bright for Whidbey Island’s nesting population of Western Purple Martins! The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has taken an interest and is gathering data. Volunteers have installed a new “flock” of eight PVC nest boxes at Crockett Lake. And tyhe Crockett Lake Purple Martin colony is big enough to be monitored.
Field Trip Report: Fort Casey State Park and Crockett Lake Area, May 16
This Wings Over Whidbey field trip met at wind-blown Fort Casey State Park. We started our efforts atop the high bluff in order to scope for waterbirds. A large flock of Rhinoceros Auklets with interspersed Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants was found immediately. …