Events List
Birding in Neighborhoods – North Whidbey
Birding in Neighborhoods North Whidbey (BINN) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Virtual General Meeting and Program: It Takes Two: An introduction to Bird Duets
Why do some birds sing together? In many tropical species, pairs coordinate their voices in remarkably precise duets—but how do these songs work, and what are they for? Register for this event presented by Costa Rican biologist Montserrat Alvarado-Deckwart.
Photo of White-eared Ground Sparrow pair by Pablo Rojas Rodriguez.
Global Great Backyard Bird Count
Spend time in your favorite places watching birds—then share what you see!
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Field Trip - West Beach at Deception Pass State Park
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. Dyanne Sheldon partners with Lyla.
Board Meeting
Come explore what the Board of Directors does! Bring your interest and consider joining a committee. Any member is welcome to attend.
Winter Birds of the Samish Flats and Fir Island
Travel with us to the Lower Skagit Valley and experience some of the best winter birding our region has to offer. Trip leaders are Kaili Plummer-Slate and Dave Parent. Limited to 10. The trip is full as of February 5. Please register for the waiting list in case someone cancels. You will be notified.
Trumpeter Swans, photo by Cathi Bower
Small Sit* at Flintstone Park
Join us for a casual field trip to focus on winter waterfowl and marine birds. We will search the bay from this waterfront park for winter visitors. Expected species include cormorants, bufflehead, wigeon, goldeneye, gulls and the possibility of shorebirds on the beach and eagles soaring over the bay.
Photo: American Wigeon pair, by Craig Johnson
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Field Trip - Hoypus Point at Deception Pass State Park
Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle.
Birding in Neighborhoods – North Whidbey
Birding in Neighborhoods North Whidbey (BINN) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Celebrate Spring Forest Hike at South Whidbey State Park
Join us for this two mile hike. We will focus on forest birds such as chickadees, thrushes, wrens and looking for spring flora. Celebrate the birthday of Washington State Parks. No Discover Pass needed.
Photo: Pacific Wren by Craig Johnson
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Field Trip - Rosario Head at Deception Pass State Park
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. Madrone Ruggerio will partner with Lyla Biddle.
Birding in Neighborhoods – North Whidbey
Birding in Neighborhoods North Whidbey (BINN) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Deadline for Comments on Island County 2045 Comprehensive Plan
Photo by Carlos Andersen
Field Trip - West Beach at Deception Pass State Park
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow.
A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle. Whether arriving from the north or south on SR20, you will come to a stoplight at the bottom of a hill. Turn west into the main park entrance. Drive past the welcome station and follow along the winding road until you reach a stop sign, then turn left. Take this road all the way down to the end, which will lead you to the West Beach parking lot. Restrooms are available at this location. Look for a large sign, “Bird Walk.”
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist Lyla Biddle and Whidbey Audubon partner Dave Parent.
For more information, email Lyla. The Deception Pass State Park Events Calendar is here.
Sound Waters University
Tickets are now on sale for Sound Waters University (SWU), Tracing Life through the Salish Sea explores the intricate web of relationships that connect species, habitats, and communities throughout this unique marine ecosystem. Visit Whidbey Audubon Society’s table while you are there.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
On February 4th, the Board of County Commissioners will be meeting to discuss the Deer Lagoon Preserve Management Plan. On Tuesday, February 3rd at 10:00 AM please tell the Commissioners you support the adoption of the Deer Lagoon Preserve draft management plan. This can be done either via Zoom or in person. This is our last chance to show the need for adopting this critical document to protect, preserve and restore our Whidbey gem.
When: February 3, 2026, at 10 am
Where: Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room (Room 102B Basement), Island County Annex Bldg, 1 NE 6th Street, Coupeville, WA
Those interested in attending the meeting virtually may join here.
Or by telephone: (253) 215-8782 Webinar ID: 919 6594 5479 Passcode: 913256
Small Sit* at Coupeville Wharf
Focus on scoters, grebes and other winter birds of Penn Cove at the Coupeville Wharf.
Photo: Surf Scoter, by Craig Johnson
Field Trip - Cornet Bay at Deception Pass State Park
Birding Deception Pass: a Whidbey Audubon and Deception Pass State Park partnership. Walks are designed as a great opportunity for birders of all levels. Practice bird identification skills, explore unique bird habitats and learn from other birders. It is recommended you bring your own binoculars and/or scopes, though there will be a few on hand to borrow. A Discover Pass or day permit is required for each vehicle. Drive past the Deception Pass State Park entrance sign to the right and enter the boat ramp parking lot. Restrooms are available at this location. Look for a large sign, “Bird Walk.”
Deception Pass State Park bird watching with State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalists Lyla Biddle and Whidbey Audubon partner Patty Cheek..
For more information email Lyla. The Deception Pass State Park Events Calendar is here.
Board Meeting
Due to illness the January Board meeting is virtual. Come explore what the Board of Directors does! Bring your interest and consider joining a committee. Any member is welcome to attend.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Small Sit* at the Keystone Dive Park/Boat Launch
Join us for a small sit at the Keystone Dive Park to look for marine birds. No walking for this field trip just sit or stand and watch the birds.
Birding in Neighborhoods – North Whidbey
Birding in Neighborhoods North Whidbey (BINN) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
February Shorelines articles due
Please send articles, photos, and announcements to Sharon by Monday, January 12. If you are working on an article but cannot make the deadline, let her know when to expect it and what it’s about.
Field Trip: Loons at Deception Pass
Join us for this free field trip to see the Red-throated Loons feeding on the outgoing current at Deception Pass before they return to the Arctic to breed.
Online General Meeting and Program: Dinosaurs Amongst Us with Kim Adelson
Zoom in from the comfort of your home to experience Kim Adelson’s presentation: Dinosaurs Amongst Us. Come learn about the structural and behavioral similarities between birds and the more “classic” dinosaurs they evolved from. Register to attend.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Small Sit Hidden Beach — Field Trip
Focus on diving ducks (goldeneye, bufflehead, scoters) and other marine birds. No walking for this field trip just sit or stand and watch the birds.
Christmas Bird Count South
The WASW 2025 Christmas Bird Count South is set for Friday, January 2, 2026, with an alternate day of Monday, January 5 if the weather is stormy. Govinda Holtby is the chair. Please register to participate by Friday, December 12.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Solstice ADA Nature Exploration on Bounty Loop Trail
Solstice ADA Nature Exploration Bounty Loop Traill. This event will be focused on general nature observation of both flora and fauna. In addition to looking and listening for winter forest birds (kinglets, thrushes, wrens, chickadees), we will search for mushrooms, mosses, plants, slugs, snails and any other interesting things we may find.
Christmas Bird Count North
2025 Christmas Bird Count North is set for Saturday, December 20. If interested, contact Steve Ellis or by calling 360-678-2264.
CBC South Volunteer Registration
Deadline to register to help with South Whidbey Christmas Bird Count effort.
Board Meeting
Come explore what the Board of Directors does! Bring your interest and consider joining a committee. Any member is welcome to attend.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Birding in Neighborhoods – North Whidbey
Birding in Neighborhoods North Whidbey (BINN) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Field trip: Fort Casey and Crockett Lake
Trip is full as of November 14!
oExplore the woodlands of Fort Casey State Park and scan the saltwater from the bluff. We will make a stop at the Keystone Ferry area and then proceed down Crockett Lake with the hope of seeing shorebirds and a Short-eared Owl.
General Meeting and Program: Arctic Visitors
Every autumn our waters host colorful waterfowl that leave their breeding grounds in the far north to overwinter with us in the Puget Sound lowlands. Join Seward Park Audubon Lead Naturalist Ed Dominguez to explore the amazing colors and varieties of ducks, grebes, and coots we call Arctic Visitors.
Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey
“Birding in Neighborhoods - South Whidbey” meets every other Thursday. Contact Cathi Bower, group leader.
Birding in Neighborhoods – North Whidbey
Birding in Neighborhoods North Whidbey (BINN) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Field Trip to Deer Lagoon Preserve
Come welcome back our bird friends that have returned to Deer Lagoon Preserve for the winter, such as this wigeon pair. This trip is full!