I seen a annas hummingbird at dugualla,bay.

Above comment submitted Feb 6, 2012

Spring firsts:
Salmonberry blooming: 1/02
Black-capped chickadee song: 1/30
Hutton's vireo song: 2/1
Woodpecker drumming (species unknown, probably hairy)2/03
----Steve Ellis

Above comment submitted Feb 4, 2012

Spotted sandpiper, Possession Point State Park.

Tillie

Above comment submitted Feb 3, 2012

One Northern Shrike seen on a fence at the intersection of Golf Course and Crosby Roads near the Navy Golf Course in Oak Harbor. Seen in the morning on 2/2/2012. Emma and Frank Ruggiero.

Above comment submitted Feb 2, 2012

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 by online letter. Carpool

Saturday, February 4: Field Trip
Raptors and Big White birds
Skagit Flats, Fir Island and Samish Flats. Find snow geese, swans, ducks, and raptors. Some walking will be involved. Be prepared for some mud. To carpool, meet at Windjammer Park (also known as City Beach) at the end of South Beeksma Drive in Oak Harbor next to the water at 9 a.m. A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw) parking permit will be needed for each car. Bring a lunch for this all-day field trip. The trip leaders are John Leaser (email) and Joe Sheldon (email). Snow or ice cancels the trip.

Thursday, Feb 9, 2012: Meeting
Dr. Mark Borden and his Harris hawk, Zeb, will be our guests at the February Audubon meeting. Mark will be sharing the history of falconry, starting with a world glimpse. He will then give us a more detailed report of the sport in the United States and how it has progressed over the last fifty years, from a bounty on all birds of prey to total protection. He will also share some of his experiences with falconry over the years and explain what goes into the training of the birds. Unitarian Universalist Church, 20103 State Route 525, Freeland. 100 yards north of Island Recycling. Doors open at 7 pm, meeting at 7:15, program at 7:30. Please bring a mug for coffee. Carpool

Saturday, February 25: Field Trip
Owling
Whidbey is home to six owl species and occasionally visited by others. Bring flashlights and dress warmly. Meet at the Coupeville High School parking lot on Main Street at 4:30 p.m. The trip leader is Gary Piazzon (email) or call 360-678-5131.

Saturday, March 3: Field Trip
Loons at Deception Pass
Meet 10 a.m. at the north end of West Beach parking lot, De- ception Pass State Park. We'll bird the beach and forest, hoping to see hundreds of red-throated loons gathering to feed in the outflowing current of Deception Pass. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. Depending on weather and interest, we will end at about 1 p.m. If you like, bring water, a snack or a hot drink. Dress warmly and prepare for wind. To carpool, meet at 9 a.m. in Coupeville at the new Park & Ride lot behind the dermatol- ogy office on the east side of South Main Street; or at 9:30 at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor at the end of South Beeksma near the water. A Discover Pass will be needed for those cars parking at Deception Pass State Park. Trip leader contact is Sarah Schmidt (email) or call 360-678-8396.

Thursday, Mar 8, 2012: Meeting
Dennis Paulson, Seabird Overview. Check back for details. Unitarian Universalist Church, 20103 State Route 525, Freeland. 100 yards north of Island Recycling. Doors open at 7 pm, meeting at 7:15, program at 7:30. Please bring a mug for coffee. Carpool

Saturday, March 10: Field Trip
Birch Bay and Semiahmoo
Join Phyllis Kind for an all day trip to a top birding site in northwest Washington. Participants should bring lunch. Meet at Trinity Lutheran Church at 8 a.m.; in the new Coupeville Park & Ride lot at 201 South Main Street (behind Whidbey Dermatology) at 8:30 and at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor at the end of South Beeksma Drive at 8:50 to form carpools. Contact trip leader Phyllis Kind for details (email) or call 360-331-6337.

Saturday, March 24: Field Trip
Exploring Central Whidbey Forests
We'll visit two heritage forests. The Rhododendron Forest is dominated by ultra slow growing Douglas fir and a rich understory including the native pink flowering rhodies which give the park its name. We'll also visit the Baker Reserve, an old growth coastal forest whose trees have been shaped by the fierce wind of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Meet in the new Coupeville Park & Ride lot at 201 South Main Street at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. Contact the trip leader Gary Piazzon (email) 360-678-5131.

Thursday, Apr 12, 2012: Meeting
Joe Gaydos, Bird and Mammal Survey of Salish Sea. Check back for details. Coupeville Recreation Hall (map). Doors open at 7 pm, meeting at 7:15, program at 7:30. Please bring a mug for coffee. Carpool

Thursday, May 10, 2012: Meeting
Black Guillemot Research in the Arctic
Ornithologist George Divoky has spent the majority of four decades at a seabird colony at the edge of the Arctic Ocean studying the response of Black Guillemots to alterations in their terrestrial and marine environment. Recently the pace and magnitude of change has increased as the record retreat of sea ice has allowed the subarctic Horned Puffin to compete with guillemots for nest sites and has forced polar bears to seek refuge on the island where they prey on guillemot nestlings. Divoky's story and images of the rapid rate of environmental change observed during his solitary summers on a remote island provide an engaging and informative cautionary tale for those concerned about birds and the natural world. Coupeville Recreation Hall (map). Doors open at 7 pm, meeting at 7:15, program at 7:30. Please bring a mug for coffee. Carpool

Wednesday, May 23 to Monday, May 28: Field Trip
Birding Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Trip leader is Jo Reeves (email) or call 206-963-8810

Thursday, Jun 14, 2012: Meeting
Bird in the Hand. Coupeville Recreation Hall (map). Doors open at 7 pm, meeting at 7:15, program at 7:30. 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. Trip leader is Joe Sheldon (email) or call 360-678-9060

Friday, September 21 to Saturday, September 22: Field Trip
Westport Washington for pelagic birding
An all day trip to Grays Canyon, a submarine canyon which lies 35 nautical miles due west from the mouth of Grays Harbor, on the edge of the North American continental shelf. Make your own reservations with Westport Seabirds, see their website or contact them by email or call 360-268-9141. Boat reserva- tions fill early. The cost for the pelagic birding trip is $135 per person. If you plan to participate, notify Gary Piazzon by email or call 360-678-5131.Make reservations at www.westportseabirds.com; trip leader is Gary Piazzon (email).