In response to the COVID-19 virus, our monthly membership meetings are once again being held in person at the Padilla Bay Interpretive Center; but, those who would prefer the option of attending via Zoom will still be able to do so. Hikes and birding field trips are being organized for vaccinated individuals and participants need to comply with the activity leader’s guidelines.
“Protecting Coastal Western Screech-Owls of Vancouver Island”
Presented by: Toby St. Clair, MSc, R.P.Bio
Tuesday, October 11th at 7 pm
Please join Skagit Audubon Society for our hybrid member meeting at the Padilla Bay Interpretive Center, 10441 Bayview-Edison Rd., Mt. Vernon, or attend virtually on Zoom (see below for Zoom registration details).
Western Screech-Owls have been disappearing from coastal British Columbia for decades, yet we still don’t know why.
Toby St. Clair is a wildlife biologist focused on improving our understanding of biological systems to enable a more sustainable relationship between our society and the environment. He has conducted a wide range of studies in coastal and terrestrial ecosystems. More recently, he has also applied his knowledge of experimental design and nocturnal systems to dig into the ecology of coastal Western Screech-Owls.
In-person attendees must be fully vaccinated and please do not attend if you have any symptoms of illness. Masks are optional unless guidance from the Wash. State Dept. of Health changes.
If you plan to attend the event virtually on Zoom, please register for this Zoom event at: https://bit.ly/SASOct1122. Preregistration for the Zoom event is required. Please only one Zoom registrant per household. After you register, you will receive an email with the link to sign in at the time of the event. Questions? Contact programs@skagitaudubon.org.
October marks the return of the abundant birds of winter from their northern and inland breeding grounds. The sound and sight of snow goose flocks high overhead confirm the season’s change as tens of thousands fly in from Russia’s Wrangel Island. Tundra Swans, Red-throated Loons and many other species reappear after nesting on the Arctic Slope. Trumpeter Swans and ducks of many kinds that summered on northern ponds and lakes touch down now on Skagit fields and bays. The five falcon species fortunate birders can spot and the varied sub-species and color morphs of Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks will soon arrive on Samish and Skagit Flats.
All this avian variety and abundance reminds us of what’s at stake when the list of potential new commercial airport sites includes Samish and Skagit Flats, essential places on which these birds depend. Skagit Audubon and other chapters and organizations plus many individuals have written the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission | WSDOT (wa.gov)) expressing their concern, their dismay even, that the Commission’s criteria even allowed these sites to appear on the list. October is when the Commission is to narrow the list to two sites. Early next year they will recommend a single site to the state legislature for eventual development of a large new airport west of the Cascades at the scale of Sea-Tac. Picture Sea-Tac plunked down on Samish Flats.
by Mary Sinker
As I write this, the transition to fall is beginning. The nights and mornings are cooler, the days are warm but not hot, hiking trails are dry, fall shorebird migration is underway, and the leaves are starting to fall. Oh yes – those leaves – what to do with all those leaves!
Wiley Slough, a popular bird-watching destination, located just outside of Conway and managed by the Wash. State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, has reopened to the public. Originally scheduled to be closed through Sept. 30th for dike repairs, the work was completed ahead of schedule. The main gate is open and the public is welcome.
The Education Committee needs volunteers to help with a number of adult presentations coming up in the next several months. These Power Point presentations are scheduled at libraries and private organizations/clubs in the area. If you can help give part of a presentation (already written), that would be great; or, you can assist with the computer and help answer questions from the audience. If you can lend a hand, please contact Committee Chair Jeff Osmundson at education@skagitaudubon.org.
Read The Skagit Flyer, Our Newsletter
Skagit Audubon Society holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month except for the months of July and August. We meet at 7:00 pm at Padilla Bay Interpretive Center (Google map), 10441 Bayview-Edison Rd. Mount Vernon. Meetings are open to all.
The board of directors meets at the same location at 7:00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month, except for the months of July and August.
Donate to Skagit Audubon
