Ordinary people can do extraordinary things. One person becomes an unexpected hero. An overlooked individual suddenly has an incredible idea. A seemingly insignificant person has unknowingly touched countless lives. The possibilities are endless. It is the same with birds. Migratory shorebirds fly thousands of miles every year to breed in the Arctic. Likewise, many songbirds […]
birds
Posted inGarden
Vociferous and Vicious — The Tiny, Yet Mighty Marsh Wren
Some people like to talk. Gregarious folks never run out of things to say, nor do they seem to tire of speaking. Others are quieter and only talk when it’s necessary. It is the same in the world of birds. Some birds call almost incessantly, including gulls, crows and grackles. Others rarely utter a peep. […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Put Your Citizen Scientist Hat on for the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 17-20
The 26th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place Friday, Feb. 17, through Monday, Feb. 20 — and everyone is invited to participate. Bird and nature lovers everywhere unite in the effort to tally as many of the world’s bird species as possible over these four days. Combined with other bird counts, GBBC results help create a […]
Posted inGarden
Life is Golden for These Ducks
For Pacific Northwest birders, winter means ducks. After breeding in the Arctic, myriads of ducks enjoy wintering in Western Washington on water that isn’t frozen. About two dozen species of ducks regularly visit West Sound waters each winter. Ducks come in many varieties and are often named according to their physical description. For example, long-tailed […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Custom Rustic Birdhouses
Meet Luis Gonzalo Pablo Pablo. Luis is a multi-talented and creative gardener — from his stunning rose bushes to his large variety of vegetables, he has a “green thumb.” Luis was raised in Wenatchee and moved to Kitsap 19 years ago. In his spare time, he gathers materials, repurposes wood, old chairs, and harvests old […]
Posted inGarden
Unmasking the ‘Watchful Butcher’ Bird
Imagine walking a West Sound trail through an open, wooded area on a crisp day in late fall or winter. A charming black, white and gray bird, slightly smaller than a robin, is perched in a bare tree. Its endearing black-eye mask gives the impression that it’s pretending to be a villain. It appears almost […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
10 New Plants to Create a Multi-Season Hummingbird Haven
Is there anything more entertaining than watching the aerobatic antics of hummingbirds? Whether they’re visiting for a sip of sugar water at the feeder, zooming through the garden (where you’ll often hear their whirring wings before you see them) or engaging in an aggressive chase with a rival, hummingbirds provide hours of enjoyment. (Who needs […]
Posted inGarden
An Overlooked Songbird in Plain Sight
Songbirds come in many varieties. Some, like bushtits, are tiny, while others, like meadowlarks, are large. Some have distinctive sounds, like the onomatopoeia call of the black-capped chickadee. And others have unmistakable plumage, like the male western tanager. But not all songbirds make such a lasting impression. Numerous subtle species are often overlooked by everyone […]
Posted inGarden
A Dazzling Duck and a Triumph for Conservation
As is typical with many things in life, when it comes to birds, people gravitate toward the ones with visual beauty. While birders are thrilled to see a drab-looking rarity, nonbirders get excited about birds that look the best. Not surprising, colorful birds are the ones that turn the most heads. The most visually stunning […]