An Unusual Avian Visitor
- Details
A long-tailed duck (previously called old squaw) was first sighted at Lake Sacajawea in Longview by Russ Koppendrayer on January 21, 2011. It is still being seen as of 2/2/2011 hanging around the Washington Way bridge and Lion's Island. The male bird is in non-breeding plumage. If it stays long, we may see it molt towards breeding plumage and develop its characteristic long tail. This sea duck is more commonly found in pelagic waters and often seen in Puget Sound in winter.
Wahkiakum CBC Results
- Details
On Thursday December 30, 19 volunteers participated in the thirteenth Wahkiakum Christmas Bird Count. The Wahkiakum Count straddles the Lower Columbia River, including the Julia B. Hansen and Lewis & Clark National Wildlife Refuges and the towns of Brownsmead, Knappa & Westport in Oregon and Cathlamet, Puget Island and Skamokawa on the Washington side. Weather was clear with a mild east wind, with a low near 28 degrees F and a high near 40.
The final species count is 114 plus two additional count week species, which is six species above average and one short of the record for this count circle.
Two species were new to the Wahkiakum CBC: a Redhead was at Little Island and a flock of nderlings, long overdue for this count circle, were on Grassy Island. A Black Phoebe was on Little Island, and a Northern Mockingbird was seen on Puget Island. Other species uncommon in this count circle included White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, and Savannah Sparrow.
Insight into how to develop a Bird Map
- Details
The Seattle Times has an interesting article showing some insight into the development of the last of the Great Washington State Birding Trails, the Pudget Sound Loop.
Check out the article "Audubon birders rove Puget Sound to complete the Great Washington State Birding Trail" on their website.
To see the already available maps online (for free) go to the Washington State Audubon website. Trails to download include:
- Cascade Loop;
- Coulee Corridor, covering Central Washington from Grand Coulee to Othello;
- Southwest Loop, covering Olympia to the Columbia Gorge;
- Olympic Loop, circling the Olympic Peninsula;
- Sun & Sage Loop, spanning an area from Snoqualmie Pass to Walla Walla;
- Palouse to Pines Loop, covering Asotin to Republic.
2010 Amphibian Egg Mass Surveys
- Details
Fun with frogs, family and friends found in freshets, fens, ponds, puddles, swales and lots of water in 2010 as people paddled, puddle-jumped, waded and slogged through bogs. As early as January red-legged frog (RAAU) and long-toed salamander (AMMA) egg masses showed up in Jack’s Slough and Germany Creek. In February copious quantities of the long-toed salamander egg masses were found at the Mint Farm, northwestern salamander (AMGR) egg masses appeared in Germany Creek and near Rainier, and Margaret Green found on lone AMGR mass at the Mint Farm.
The Gray’s River toads took us on an emotional roller coaster ride. Excitement mounted
Cowlitz Columbia CBC Results
- Details
Br-r-r it was cold for our 30th Annual Cowlitz Columbia Christmas Bird Count, but there was no wind or rain (What a difference that makes!).
19 field observers and 4 feeder watchers enjoyed discovering 100 Species and 14,528 individual birds. We also had 6 additional species, we managed to miss on count day, reported within the count week,. The temperature ranged from 19° to 37°. We had a scrumptious potluck afterwards.
Thank you to all that helped.
We had a large number of all-time high counts - they are marked by HC. Low counts are marked with a LC. Seen in count week = CW. NC = Means new to our count.
Plan now for the 31th Annual 3CBC on January 1, 2012. Contact
Here is the list of 1/1/2011 sightings:
January / February 2011 Whistler is online
- Details
The January / February 2011 Whistler
is available now.
Some of its content:
- Leadbetter Point Bird Count Results;
- Member Form and WHAS News;
- The new WHAS Bird Quiz;
- Nelson Creek 2010 Review;
- 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count;
- Fun with Amphibian Surveys;
- Oil Spill Emergency Volunteers needed;
- Lobby Day 2011;
- Book Review: The Bird Catcher;
- WHAS Programs and Field Trips;
Leadbetter CBC Results
- Details
Update: Some photos added.
For the Leadbetter Point Christmas Bird Count (CBC), on December 18, 2010, we noted 100 species, plus three species for Count Week. Number of individuals: 36,784. Temps: low 34F, high 44F. Winds: generally brisk (5 to 10 mph) and often to at least 20 mph. Cloud cover 90% to 100%, rain about 60% of the day; some periods without rain, but at times 
heavy gusts and rainfall, and a few blasts of sleet and hail; 0.9 inches total precipitation. Wind and rain hampered views of water birds, and significantly decreased our ability to detect passerines. At least it wasn't raining all the time!
Our number of participants, 40 (36 field observers, divided among 5 sectors; plus 4 at feeders), was the highest
2011 Backyard Bird Calendar for Sale
- Details
Willapa Hills Audubon Society is offering a full color calendar featuring birds found in backyards or at bird feeders. This 9-inch by 12-inch, 13-month calendar provides dates of Christmas Bird Counts and some area birding festivals as well as information on how to attract more birds to your yard.
The cost is $10 with all proceeds supporting the WHAS mission. Please consider purchasing a calendar as a Christmas present for someone who would like to learn more about the birds they see at their bird feeder or just for anyone who like birds.
To purchase a calendar (or calendars) contact any of the board members listed on our contact page, or
We only printed a limited edition, so don't wait too long.
Great Lewis's Woodpecker and Peregine Falcon videos
- Details
OPB recently showed two very interesting videos.
One of Oregon’s native birds, the Lewis’s Woodpecker is in trouble because of loss of habitat. Meet a member of the East Cascade Audubon Society who has made it her mission to help these birds.
In 1970 experts couldn’t find a single peregrine falcon in Oregon. 40 years later they are off the endangered species list thanks partly to a large number of nests right in the city of Portland, many on the largest, noisiest bridges. The falcons still face threats from intentional illegal hunting. The Audubon Society of Portland tracks and bands chicks born each year.
Continue reading to see the two videos:
Read more: Great Lewis's Woodpecker and Peregine Falcon videos
High rate of beak abnormalities in NorthWest Birds
- Details
According to a U.S. Geological Survey study on beak deformities, northwestern crows in Alaska, Washington and British Columbia follow a trend found earlier in Alaska's black-capped chickadees. Beak deformities are more than 10 times higher compared to the regular bird population and are called "avian keratin disorder". The cause hasn't been determined yet.
Go to this Oregonian website to read the full article. The study was published in the journal "The Auk" recently.
- Tough truths about plastic pollution
- November / December 2010 Whistler is online
- Apps for Smartphone Users
- Could Vaux's swifts migratory birds be next on endangered species list?
- September / October 2010 Whistler is online
- Friends of Fox Creek receives grant to improve fish habitat
- Update on Cooper Island
- Hummingbirds
- June 19, 2010 is Natural Areas Appreciation Day
- July / August 2010 Whistler is online