BLACK HILLS AUDUBON SOCIETY (BHAS) is a chapter of the
National Audubon Society, representing Lewis, Mason, and
Thurston counties in the state of Washington. It is a
volunteer-based, non-profit organization whose 1,300+ members
share interests in birds and other wildlife, their habitats, and
natural history. Our goals are to promote environmental
education and recreation and to maintain and protect our
ecosystems for future generations. We work with the
state Audubon office (Audubon
Washington).
Next Monthly Program Meeting is May
8th (Thurs.), 7 pm.
Presentation: Habitat Change in Puget Sound
Speaker:
Ed Swan
Ed Swan, nature
writer and guide, will talk about habitat change over time in Puget
Sound. The region has experienced several waves of change that
produced large alterations in avifauna (birds). Ed takes a step by
step look at those changes to show how habitat is a key factor in
changes to birds when big change occurs.
He will demonstrate the extent of changes and how wide-ranging their
effects have been. Ed will use Vashon Island as an example to discuss how citizen science and action can have a big impact in favor of conservation.
BHAS Program meetings are held on the second Thursday of the
month (exceptions: no March, July, or
August meetings).
(Everyone is welcome to participate
with Field Trips and Events...
you don't have to be a member!)
Some field trips to public lands may
require an entrance fee. See how to purchase the
Washington Discover Pass.
Regular/Recurring
Field Trips:
Every Wednesday, 8:00 am
—
11:00 am, Field Trip:
Phil Kelley leads a
Birding
Walk at Nisqually NWR. Meet at the Nisqually Visitor
Center.
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First Saturday
Birding and Breakfast
-
First
Saturday of each month, different location each time within
Lewis, Mason, or Thurston County.
For more information, contact Leslie Lynam at 360- 402-9513
or Deb Nickerson at 360-754-5397.
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Third Monday of each month at
4:30 pm, Event:
Birds and Beer (Olympia)
Gather with birders at the Fish Tale Brewpub on the
third Monday of each month. People will share their “best
birding spots in our area.”
Come ready to share where
and why you go birding in a particular spot. People new to
our area will benefit from your knowledge. We will
gather at the couches in the back. Location: Fish Tale Brewpub,
515 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia
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Last Wednesday of each month at
4:30 pm, Event:
Birds and Beer
(Shelton)
Meet other birders from Mason County or those who happen to
be in the area. Discuss good places to bird and the
interesting birds you have sighted recently. Have a beverage
and or a bite to eat with us.
Come ready to share where
and why you go birding in a particular spot. People new to
our area will benefit from your knowledge. Location: Smoking Mo's Kitchen
203 W Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA. See
map.
This trip,
at the Joint Base Lewis McChord golf course, will be from
1-3 miles long on relatively level ground. It will explore
forest, water, and open area species. No security passes are required. Trip starts promptly
at 8:00 a.m. at the golf course driving range parking lot.
Location: Exit 116 (Mounts Road), turn north, turn
right into Eagle’s Pride Golf Course clubhouse parking area,
go down ramp and make an immediate, hard left onto driving
range access road (narrow road). Proceed to driving range
parking area.
Each Spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed in Grays Harbor estuary on their migration northward. Coming from as far south as Argentina, these Arctic-bound shorebirds are among the world’s greatest migrants, some traveling 15,000 miles round-trip.
This event is timed to match the
annual migration of hundreds of thousands of shorebirds as
they pause at the Grays Harbor estuary to feed and rest
before departing for their nesting grounds in the Arctic.
The concentration of birds in Grays Harbor allows birders an
excellent chance to view many species and to see birds
take flight in beautiful formations.
The weekend is filled with activities, including field trips, a banquet with a keynote speaker, lectures, a birding marketplace, and more.
BHAS Event:
Last Wednesday of each month at
4:30 pm
Birds and Beer
(Shelton)
Meet other birders from Mason County or those who happen to
be in the area. Discuss good places to bird and the
interesting birds you have sighted recently. Have a beverage
and or a bite to eat with us.
Come ready to share where
and why you go birding in a particular spot. People new to
our area will benefit from your knowledge.
Location: Smoking Mo's Kitchen
203 W Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA. See
map.
Ed Swan, nature writer
and guide, will talk about habitat change over time in Puget
Sound. The region has experienced several waves of change that
produced large alterations in avifauna (birds). Ed takes a step
by step look at those changes to show how habitat is a key
factor in changes to birds when big change occurs.
He will demonstrate the extent of changes and
how wide-ranging their effects have been. Ed will use Vashon
Island as an example to discuss how citizen science and action
can have a big impact in favor of conservation.
BHAS Program meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month
(exceptions: no March, July, or August meetings).
Meeting
Location
First Christian Church
701 Franklin Street SE
Olympia, WA 98507
Arrive at 7:00 pm to socialize –
the program will begin promptly
at 7:30.
May 10 (Sat)
7:30 am
BHAS Event: First
Annual Deschutes Estuary Spring Bird Walk -
International Migratory Bird Day
Hear and see
songbirds just returned from Mexico, Central America and South
America as they nest in the Deschutes Estuary from Tumwater Falls
and Historical Park to Marathon Park and Percival Cove. Listen for
Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Western Tanager and Rufous
Hummingbird. See American Dippers dipping for food in the Deschutes
River and Belted Kingfishers fishing along the shore. Water birds
like Ring-necked Duck and Wood Duck can be seen. Watch for Bald
Eagle and Osprey.
Estuary restoration will enhance this
important bird area, featured as a stop on the Audubon Great
Washington State Birding Trail - Olympic Loop map.
Meet at
7:30 am at Tumwater Historical Park, 777 Simmons Rd, just off
Deschutes Parkway. Co-sponsored by Deschutes Estuary Restoration
Team
www.deschutesestuary.org and Black Hills Audubon
www.blackhills-audubon.org.
For more information
contact Dani Madrone, Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team, at
olydert@gmail.com or
360-485-6683, or Deb Nickerson, Black Hills Audubon, at
debranick@gmail.com
360-754-5397.
May 15 -18 (Thurs - Sun)
Event: Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest Location: Leavenworth, WA
The
Leavenworth area features spectacular habitats ranging from
snow-capped mountains to sunny ponderosa pine forests, lush
riparian zones to shrub-steppe. All our field trips are led
by experts and professionals in their field. Learn about the
wide variety of migratory birds that come here for a brief,
but important part of their year the breeding season. Hear
birdsongs sung only during the breeding season while you
stroll, bike, boat, or van during the height of wildflower
season.
While
birding is the heart of the weekend, activities also include
wildflower walks, arts events, and family activities to
ensure fun and learning for birders of all ages and skill
levels, with enough built-in "down time" to explore the
friendly Bavarian village that we call home.
BHAS
Event: Birds and Beer (Olympia) (Third Monday of each
month at 4:30 pm)
Gather with birders at the Fish Tale
Brewpub on the third Monday of each month. People will share their
“best birding spots in our area.”
Come ready to
share where and why you go birding in a particular spot. People new
to our area will benefit from your knowledge. We will gather at the
couches in the back.
Location: Fish Tale Brewpub 515 Jefferson St.
SE, Olympia
For questions, please contact Deb
Nickerson at 360-754-5397 ordebranick@gmail.com.
Publications Chair & Webmaster:
Deb Jaqua ................................ 360-491-3325 Webmaster
Sign
up for BHAS Alerts by sending an email to the
Webmaster.
We will then send you an invitation that you will need to confirm (so that
someone else doesn't "accidentally" sign you up!)
State Conservation
efforts. Read about issues involving birds, other wildlife, and
their habitats at the state level.
National Action Alerts.
The National Audubon Society has set up this special Web site to give you an
easy and convenient way to communicate with your lawmakers and newspapers on
national conservation issues that impact birds, wildlife and our shared
environment. Remember, your letters will make a difference -- so take action
today!
The Education Committee has been busy creating
well-attended
birding classes, helping schools get students out into nature with the Board the
Bus grant, and promoting Audubon Adventures.
In 2009, BHAS awarded its first Dave McNett Environmental Educator of the Year
Award., honoring long-time volunteer Dave McNett.
Black Hills Audubon Society receives 4% of every purchase from this page to support our conservation program and other goals. Our prices are exactly the same as Amazon.com! All purchases are managed by Amazon.com. Use the search link below to make all of your Amazon.com purchases, or
go to our book store page for selected items.
Ever see a dead bird on a beach and
wonder why it succumbed? Would you like to help scientists
find out why?
COASST (Coastal
Observation and Seabird Survey Team) is a citizen science project based at the
University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences in partnership
with local community and environmental organizations, and state and federal
agencies. COASST volunteers collect data on beach-cast carcasses of marine birds
on a monthly basis to establish the baseline, or 'normal' pattern of beached
bird mortality on North Pacific beaches. Baselines are crucial for assessing the
impacts of oil spills, fisheries, and climate change. Data collection by COASST
volunteers helps address important marine conservation issues and protects
marine resources.
Lists of COASST trainings and more information about COASST
are posted on their website at
http://www.coasst.org.
From the main page, click on What's New. Then click on the Training Sessions
tab.
BLACK HILLS AUDUBON SOCIETY 
Each Spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed in Grays Harbor estuary on their migration northward. Coming from as far south as Argentina, these Arctic-bound shorebirds are among the world’s greatest migrants, some traveling 15,000 miles round-trip.
birding classes, helping schools get students out into nature with the Board the
Bus grant, and promoting Audubon Adventures.