In the remoteness of a Bainbridge Island neighborhood lies a retreat in an English-inspired garden. Native apple, plum and pear trees that line the street create privacy, and tall grasses encompass the garden that Lori McFarlin has come to call her sanctuary. This 2-acre property has a 100-year-old house with a 100-year-old birch tree that […]
birds
Posted inGarden
Size Doesn’t Matter in the World of Woodpeckers
All birds have their place in the ecosystems in which they live. Some are “keystone” species that other creatures rely on, making them a critical component of their respective biomes. Among the keystone species of birds are woodpeckers. As the name suggests, woodpeckers peck wood. But their pecking has a purpose. They’re excavation experts. Woodpeckers […]
Posted inGarden
A Sparrow That Stands Out While Blending In
Abbreviations abound in the world of birds. Species names are simplified with four-letter alpha codes for taking faster field notes and long names have shorter nicknames. The lingo causes confusion among even experienced birders, let alone beginners. Then there are the hard-to-discern birds with similarities in appearance and behavior. Some of these invariably land in […]
Posted inGarden
A Bad Hair Day is Fine for This Duck
Birds come in all shapes and sizes, with adaptations specific to the habitats in which they live. Some birds reside in forests, while others are from the desert. Many wade along the water’s edge and others prefer to go swimming. Among those who make their living in the water are geese, swans, ducks, cormorants, alcids, […]
Posted inGarden
Cherish the Charming Chickadees
For years, people have debated the appropriateness of feeding wild birds. Some argue that birds rely on feeders instead of looking for natural food sources. Actually, few birds truly depend on backyard feeders. Many species use feeders with appropriate food choices for a quick snack to supplement their natural diet. Those who feed backyard birds […]
Posted inGarden
The Cryptic Bird of Summer Twilight
Numerous species of migratory birds breed in West Sound. Many travel thousands of miles from wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. The later a bird arrives, the farther it has traveled. These species, called long-distance migrants, sometimes spend the nonbreeding season in the Southern Hemisphere. It may seem strange that some birds spend several […]
Posted inCommunity News
Kitsap County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Recognized Nationally
Ducks Unlimited recently announced the top volunteer chapters across the nation honored in three categories for their conservation fundraising efforts. The Kitsap County Chapter received the President’s Roll of Honor, given to chapters that raised between $65,000 and $99,999. Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing […]
Posted inGarden
A Ferocious Predator Disguised as a Cute Little Owl
When people think of fierce, predatory birds, the species that come to mind are bald eagles, peregrine falcons and great horned owls. These birds are not picky and will take anything they can grab. When you see a small owl, the initial reaction may be to say that it’s cute, based on its diminutive size […]
Posted inGarden
Leave No Stone Unturned when Searching for this Shorebird
As winter gives way to spring, migratory marine birds are journeying north to Arctic breeding grounds, including numerous species of ducks, alcids, loons, gulls and shorebirds. The latter consists of birds that live on sandy or rocky beaches and mudflats. Some shorebirds are solitary, while others travel together. Multiple shorebird species often congregate on feeding […]