Tag: birds

A female Myrtle subspecies of yellow-rumped warbler contemplates its next move at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia.

Bringing in Spring with a Vibrant, Versatile Warbler

Springtime means birdsong. As frosty mornings give way to budding leaves, singing songbirds are a harbinger of winter’s departure and the arrival of spring. Year-round species such as American robins, Pacific wrens and song sparrows are among the first to belt out their … read more

A black oystercatcher walks along the beach at Fort Flagler State Park near Port Townsend.

This Poorly Named Shorebird is an Attention Catcher

Birds are amazing creatures with a variety of adaptations. A hummingbird is quite different from an ostrich and a kiwi has little in common with a swan. While some species may seem drab and uninteresting, others are a collection of unique features that … read more

A male hooded merganser shows off his impressive crest.

The Show Stopper of West Sound’s Wintering Waterfowl

West Sound in winter is paradise for those who enjoy watching ducks. About two dozen species come to the region’s lakes, ponds, streams, bays and open saltwater from late winter to early spring. While there are many similarities among the ducks, differences also … read more

A vigilant female great horned owl guards her fluffy chicks in an old raven nest on a basalt ledge in Central Washington.

The View from the Top of the Food Chain

Life is a competition. Whether we realize it or not, we are always competing with someone for a job, a home purchase or a parking space, to name a few. Even birders are constantly vying with each other for top birder status. It’s … read more

A least sandpiper runs through a rain puddle on a sandy beach.

A Summer Sweep Through the Peeps

Birds are fascinating creatures that can be found in almost any place. Species have adaptations for their lifestyles and may differ considerably from other genres. For example, penguins and hummingbirds have little in common. Woodpeckers and albatrosses are worlds apart. Even within some … read more

A male American robin grabs an unsuspecting worm in the grass for a tasty snack.

An Extraordinary, Ordinary Bird

Ordinary people can do extraordinary things. One person becomes an unexpected hero. An overlooked individual suddenly has an incredible idea. A seemingly insignificant person has unknowingly touched countless lives. The possibilities are endless. It is the same with birds. Migratory shorebirds fly thousands … read more

A marsh wren creates its own cloud while singing on a frosty morning in early spring by the Clear Creek Trail in Silverdale.

Vociferous and Vicious — The Tiny, Yet Mighty Marsh Wren

Some people like to talk. Gregarious folks never run out of things to say, nor do they seem to tire of speaking. Others are quieter and only talk when it’s necessary. It is the same in the world of birds. Some birds call … read more

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Black-Capped Chickadee

Put Your Citizen Scientist Hat on for the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 17-20

The 26th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place Friday, Feb. 17, through Monday, Feb. 20 — and everyone is invited to participate. Bird and nature lovers everywhere unite in the effort to tally as many of the world’s bird species as possible over these … read more

A pair of common goldeneyes ride the choppy water on a windy day.

Life is Golden for These Ducks

For Pacific Northwest birders, winter means ducks. After breeding in the Arctic, myriads of ducks enjoy wintering in Western Washington on water that isn’t frozen. About two dozen species of ducks regularly visit West Sound waters each winter. Ducks come in many varieties … read more

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