Though it often gets dismissed as uninteresting, the American coot is as original as it gets. Find out why.
Janine Schutt
A self-proclaimed "bird nerd," Janine Schutt is an avid birder and a nationally recognized and award-winning wildlife photographer. Her photos have appeared in Cornell Lab of Ornithology publications. An expert on the birds of Washington, Janine enjoys birding in all 39 counties. She is a past president of Kitsap Audubon Society, current board member and data compiler for the annual Christmas Bird Count. Janine works for the Central Kitsap School District and is a part-time contract chaplain with the Department of Corrections.
Posted inAround West Sound
Shovel up Some Fun with a Big-Billed Duck
Where there is water, there are ducks. From small ponds to big lakes, narrow streams to raging rivers and estuaries to open saltwater, ducks are present. There are dabbling ducks that feed close to shore and diving ducks that venture into deep water, farther offshore. Ducks come in a variety of sizes and colors. Some […]
Posted inGarden
There Is Much to Love About Doves
The dove is a universal symbol of peace. Though few doves are naturally white, rock pigeons are sometimes bred to have white coloration, thus mistakenly referred to as white doves. Members of the Columbidae family, pigeons and doves are close relatives that share a common ancestor, the wild rock dove. Though they are similar, pigeons […]
Posted inGarden
The Spunky Seabird of the Salish Sea
Birds are associated with flight. All but 60 of the world’s 10,000-plus species are capable of flying. Some can only sustain flight for a short distance, while others can glide continuously for weeks. Some birds prefer other forms of transportation to flying. Ground-dwelling quails, rails and roadrunners like to run and tend to fly only […]
Posted inGarden
A Beloved Spring Migrant That Brings Loads of Summer Fun
Bird migration is a fascinating phenomenon. About half of the world’s approximately 10,000 bird species are migratory. Some fly short distances to warmer wintering grounds and back to breeding grounds in spring. Others cover thousands of miles twice a year in extraordinary journeys that cross oceans and international borders. North America is home to four […]
Posted inGarden
A Little, Brown Bird with a Big, Unique Voice
Binoculars and field guides are useful tools for visually identifying birds. Birding-by-ear skills are just as important, as birds are often heard before being seen. Thankfully, modern technology makes this easy with apps that feature multiple bird sounds, such as songs, contact calls and alarm calls. Apps should not be used in the field to […]
Posted inGarden
West Sound’s Wonderful Winter Warbler
For many, a West Sound winter is a dreary time of year. Trees are devoid of leaves and flowers aren’t blooming. It’s cold, cloudy and often rainy. There is no perceived reason to venture outdoors. Just get cozy with a hot beverage and wait until spring to go outside. Unless you’re a birder. Winter brings […]
Posted inGarden
Watching for Wandering Wigeons
Birders love a good chase. Not in the literal sense, but in going to a selected spot with the optics and waiting patiently for a particular bird to appear. Birds that have wandered out of their typical range are known as rare birds or rarities. Sometimes they fly in from across the country. Others have […]
Posted inGarden
This Blackbird Is a Beauty, Not a Black Sheep
Like people, birds are sometimes unappreciated and misunderstood. While every species has its place in the ecosystem, some are bigger stars than others. Beach lovers would gladly trade a flock of “seagulls” for hummingbirds. Yet gulls, not hummingbirds, scavenge smelly carcasses from the beach. Some dislike barn swallows for leaving messy droppings under their nests. […]