Support the “No Consumer Fireworks” Campaign
The Island County Commissioners are placing an advisory vote on the November 2026 general election ballot to “ban consumer fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Island County.” This would include our two Important Bird Areas: Deer Lagoon Preserve and Crockett Lake.
Whidbey Audubon has joined a coalition of local citizens, businesses, nonprofits and environmental groups supporting a yes vote on this measure.
South Whidbey Christmas Bird Count Report
South Christmas Bird Count lead Govinda Holtby reports that her group of 32 field observers and 6 feeder watchers spotted 15,071 Individual birds and 109 species in January.
North Christmas Bird Count Report
The north end count, officially known as Washington Oak Harbor, was conducted on Saturday, Dec. 20. Strong winds battered the 33 volunteer participants that day.
A total of 109 species were found and 16,595 individual birds were tallied. Many team leaders felt the winds that gusted over 30 mph were a factor in reducing bird numbers.
Read Steve Ellis’s full report.
“Small Sits” Expand Accessiblity of Field Trips
Whidbey Audubon is adding “small sits” to our field trip offerings. The idea of a small sit is to offer a type of field trip that may allow some who are unable to attend traditional walking field trips an opportunity to go birding and enjoy the outdoors.
The sits will introduce both well known and lesser known birding spots on Whidbey Island that have accessible areas.
Birding in Neighborhoods - North: Windjammer and Flintstone Parks
On January 14, the view from Windjammer Park resembled a watercolor painting. Smooth silvery water below and thick fog above. The still water made it easy to find seabirds. Species identified included Surf Scoters, a White-winged Scoter, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads and Scaup. Close to shore we saw…
Read Nancy Luenn’s full report.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South
The last few shortest days of the year found us at Sunlight Beach once, Deer Lagoon West side most often, and once to Lone Lake looking for a Canvasback Duck which had been hanging out there. Though we missed the Canvasback, it is just Duck Season now and everywhere you go there are at least eight or ten different types of water fowl….
Read Cathi Bower’s full report.
Get to Know the Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)
What’s so special about a Western Tanager? Just about everything. To start, their color is spectacular. Their diet gives them the red color from a rare plumage pigment called rhododoxathin. No other tanager has this plumage….
How I Built My Own Hummingbird Nectar Heater
When Audubon Board Member Patricia Duarte-Pocock moved to Whidbey Island from Southern California, she quickly realized that if she wanted to keep her hummingbird feeders up all winter, she’d need one that was heated. So she built her own! And you can, too.
Comment Now on the Island County Comprehensive Plan!
In this letter, Carlos Andersen shares his concerns regarding the recently released draft/proposed Island County Comprehensive Plan updates and encourages members to comment on the current plan.
Field Trip Report, November 15
Steve and Martha Ellis describe a day spent exploring areas of Fort Casey State Park, the Keystone Boat Launch, and Crockett’s Lake. The 13 attendees found a total of 45 bird species!