
Birding in Neighborhoods - South
At the end of January, we bundled up and rolled ourselves out into the sun on the dikes at Deer Lagoon, where we identified at least 39 species–a little of everything, including those beautiful and entertaining Hooded Mergansers at the edge in the slough foraging for tiny fishies, then gobbling them down with their adorable little serrated bills! A Killdeer and some Greater Yellowlegs were taking advantage of what little shore there was, along with the Crows and Mallards. Of course, the eagles and harriers were scaring up the ducks and Dunlin. While we were looking for the Snipe that Carlos had spied, a Lincoln’s Sparrow was a nice surprise….

Loons at Deception Pass
On January 25, more than 100 people participated in the annual Loon Field Trip to West Beach and Cranberry Lake led by Sarah and Steve Ellis. They spotted all three loon species, along with Surf Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Pigeon Guillemot and many other birds.

Q&A with James DeForrest
Jim DeForrest is a Whidbey Island wildlife photographer and the newest member of the Whidbey Audubon Society.
“I’m eager to do whatever I can to make the Whidbey community aware of the wildlife that is at our fingertips. We have important areas, and we need to cherish and protect them.”

Q&A with Janet Jernigan
Janet Jernigan joined the South Whidbey Audubon board in 2022 and currently serves as the board secretary.
“I really enjoy working with a warm, friendly group of people who share my interests and my values about conservation.”