Learn about the Puget Sound’s impressive salt-water loving brant and more.
birds
Posted inGarden
A Ruckus on the Water
Though it often gets dismissed as uninteresting, the American coot is as original as it gets. Find out why.
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 inThe Outdoors
Attract Backyard Birds with the Right Seeds
While almost all bird seed may look pretty much the same to you, it doesn’t to the birds you’re feeding. Knowing what kinds of seeds different birds like can help you attract a variety of fine-feathered friends to your feeders. Consider these popular seed types and the common backyard birds they attract. Sunflower Black sunflower […]
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 […]