Whidbey Audubon Society is dedicated to the understanding, appreciation, and protection of wildlife species
and their habitat on Whidbey Island and surrounding waters.  Visitors are welcome to participate in our events.
Upcoming Events "Shorelines" Newsletter (PDF) Birding Class Join Whidbey Audubon Contact Us
Splashdown Check Whidbey Audubon's Facebook page for discussions, pictures, and more information.
Unusual Bird Sightings and Special Points of Interest
Post an unusual bird sighting

Get emails when sightings are posted.

I heard, then saw a Swainson's Thrush in our yard at close range. It was perched about ten feet up in the underbrush beneath the large conifers. Tried to get a quick video, but a Douglas Squirrel knocked over a peanut container on the deck, which made a loud noise...

Craig Johnson
Freeland

Above comment submitted May 17, 2012



Please let us know of any credible evidence of birds affected by the Penn Cove fuel spill.
----Steve Ellis
5/17

Above comment submitted May 17, 2012





Two Eurasian Collared Doves in my yard also.

Peter Jefferds
Coupeville

05/15/12

Above comment submitted May 15, 2012



Would or could a crow kill an adult woodpecker?

As I was walking down my lane this morning, I heard the crows making a ruckus and looked around for a predator. One of the crows was on the grass beside the lane, and as I walked toward him, he flew away along with several other crows that had been sitting in a nearby tree.

There on the ground was a dead Red-breasted Sapsucker. So could the crows have killed it? I couldn't find any obvious wounds but its eyes seem to be missing.

Linda Bainbridge
Greenbank

Above comment submitted May 14, 2012



Three Eurasian Collared-Doves in the yard today. First House Wren of the season too.

Craig Johnson
Freeland

Above comment submitted May 13, 2012



May 11: many Purple Martins at Cornet Bay Day Use Area in Deception Pass State Park where they have several nest boxes. At sunset, three Spotted Sandpipers foraging at water's edge, Snakelum Point.

Sarah Schmidt

Above comment submitted May 13, 2012



A male pileated woodpecker fed from our suet feeder for about 10 minutes this afternoon. They do nest nearby someplace, but seldom land near the house like this.
Susan Bennett, May 12, 2012

Above comment submitted May 12, 2012



A golden crowned sparrow showed up at our feeders early this morning.
Lynne Jensen in Clinton

Above comment submitted May 12, 2012



A black headed grosbeak came to our suet feeder in Clinton this morning about 9:00 am. Great to see it today and the Western Tanager yesterday! Lynne Jensen

Above comment submitted May 11, 2012



First Wilson's Warbler (male) in our yard this year. We have had two Orange-crowned Warblers since early April. I am so thankful these birds use our small yard to forage.

Craig Johnson
Freeland

Above comment submitted May 11, 2012



A Western Tanager arrived at our feeder this afternoon, 12:30pm, in Clinton. Gorgeous!
Lynne Jensen

Above comment submitted May 10, 2012



Heard and then saw my first Olive-sided Flycatcher of the year this morning as I was walking the cat.

Also saw a Warbling Vireo singing in my alder yesterday morning.

Linda Bainbridge
Greenbank

Above comment submitted May 10, 2012



We were delighted to have two Osprey perched in a tree on our property today. Lots of vocalizations!

Craig & Joy Johnson
Freeland

Above comment submitted May 9, 2012



Three male and one female Western Tanagers taking turns at my suet feeder this morning, interrupted by a couple of Black-headed Grosbeaks. I felt like I'd woken up in the tropics.
Linda Bainbridge, Greenbank

Above comment submitted May 9, 2012



First Picture Description Black-headed Grosbeak of the season in our yard.

Craig Johnson
Bush Point area

Above comment submitted May 8, 2012



Saw my first Western Tanager of the season at my suet feeder in Greenbank today.
Linda Bainbridge

Above comment submitted May 8, 2012



Whimbrel at the Greenbank Farm. In the fields near the entrance at Wonn Rd. 4:20pm 5/2/12 Frank Ruggiero

Above comment submitted May 2, 2012



Hummer feeders are being swarmed by rufous males a females this evening. Lagoon Point.

Above comment submitted May 1, 2012

Upcoming Events

Birding In The Neighborhoods - Weekly Field Trips
Meet at the Bayview Park n Ride; birding usually is north up to Crockett Lake and sometimes Penn Cove. The trips are on Thursdays and the meeting time varies with the season. If you would like to be notified of the events, contact Phyllis Kind (email). Carpool

Saturday, May 19: Field Trip
Bird on a 100-Acre Crockett Lake-Area Farm
Dr. Mark Borden, the recent Audubon speaker on Falconry: an Ancient Art, will show us around his farm where he maintains his raptors. The morning will focus on habitat and the bird-nesting community on the farm. We will also evaluate the farm to demonstrate how to apply for certification as a Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Meet at 9 a.m. in Coupeville at the Park & Ride lot behind Whidbey Dermatology on the east side of South Main Street. The trip leader is Robin Llewellyn (email) 360-678-5403. Carpool

Wednesday, May 23 to Monday, May 28: Field Trip
Birding Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
One of America's top birding spots. Arrive Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Return Sunday or Monday, depending on your schedule. Overnight options: camping at Page Springs, a BLM camp ground near the refuge, Steens Mountain Resort (Private owned close to Page Springs), Frenchglen Hotel, or use a motel in Burns about 40 miles away. Individuals participating should make their own camping/motel reservations. No reservations are needed for the Page Springs camp ground. Reservations are needed for tent/RV camping at Steens Mountain Resort: phone 1-800-542-3765. Check the Page Springs, Malheur NWR, and Steens Mountain Resort web sites for details. Another housing option you might check is at the Malheur NWF field station. Notify trip leader Jo Reeves if you intend to participate by email or call 206-963-8810.

Saturday, June 2: Backyard Wildlife Habitat Fair
Friends of Freeland, Whidbey Audubon Society, and Whidbey Watershed Stewards, all non-profits working for the good of our communities, are holding a Backyard Wildlife Habitat Fair! We are excited to feature Freeland as a host community for this event. The fair will be held on June 2nd, 2012, from 10-4 at historic Freeland Hall, located near the shore of beautiful Holmes Harbor. There will be informational speakers, displays, and workshops on a range of topics plus an Audubon Children's Corner. Local businesses which promote backyard wildlife and healthy gardening themes will be encouraged to apply early for space.

Thursday, Jun 14, 2012: Meeting
Bird in the Hand. Members have been working with Matt Klope, a professional taxidermist, preparing specimens for hands-on examination. Greenbank Farm. Doors open at 7 pm. Please bring a mug for coffee. Carpool

Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24: Field Trip
North Cascades/Winthrop area
Bird the high Cascades and Winthrop area for spring breeders and enjoy the east side wildflower show. The ponderosa pine woodland is exceptionally rich with species seldom, if ever seen, west of the Cascades. Notify Joe Sheldon if you plan to participate by email or call 360-678-9060

Friday to Sunday, August 24 to 26: Field Trip
Eastern Washington
We plan to visit some of the eastern Washington hotspots to look for southbound migrants and eastern North American vagrants. Proposed stops will be; Columbia Wildlife Refuge, Saddle Mountain Wildlife Refuge, County Line Ponds, Washtucna, Lyon's Ferry, Kamiak Butte and Steptoe Butte. We plan to car camp at Washtucna's Bassett Park and at Kamiak Butte County Park. There will be some walking, up to 3 miles, on trails with some elevation gain. For more information, contact trip leader Dave Parent (email).

Saturday, September 22 to Sunday, September 23: Field Trip
Westport Washington for pelagic birding
See Albatross, Fulmar, Storm-Petrel, Shearwater, and other pelagic species. Make your own reservations -- recommended Motel: McBee's Silver Sands Motel (360) 268-9029. Pelagic birding reservations can be made at Westport Seabirds: (360) 268-9141 or by e-mail (pmand001@comcast.net). Note: boat reservations will fill early! Birding ends on Sunday about 4:30 PM. You may want to consider staying an extra night and returning to Whidbey on Monday. Cost for the pelagic birding: $135 per person. If you plan to participate notify Gary Piazzon by email or call 360-678-5131.

Whidbey Audubon Society
PO Box 1012
Oak Harbor,Washington 98277
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Osprey with catch
Black-headed Grosbeak, male
Osprey, Wahl Rd Nest
pileated at the feeder
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Mallard, Mallard
Young Robin, Young Robin
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American Coot
American Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Wood Duck
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Rock Wren, 7 Feb. 2012
Rock Wren, 7 Feb. 2012
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Barrow's Goldeneye, Freeland
Surf Scoter, Freeland
Hooded Merganser, Freeland
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N. Flicker watching for starlings, This bird was seen chasing starlings away from a favorite suet feeder.
Snowy Owl
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