Late winter may not seem like the perfect time to think about birdhouses, but it is. As the days grow longer and temperatures moderate, our resident birds begin checking out possible nest sites. If your birdhouses are cleaned, repaired and in place during February, it won’t be long before you notice them being inspected by […]
wildlife
Posted inBlog, Community News, Featured
Share Your Thoughts About Great Peninsula Conservancy’s Preservation Plans
The Great Peninsula Conservancy is updating its goals, objectives and strategies for conserving lands and waters on the Kitsap, Key and Gig Harbor peninsulas. The draft Great Peninsula Conservancy Conservation Plan for 2016-2021 is an update and revision to the previous plan. Its purpose is to enact a robust strategy for Great Peninsula Conservancy conservation […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, The Outdoors
Supporting Wildlife Refuges by Collecting Duck Stamps
“…You don’t have to be a hunter to buy a duck stamp. You just need $25. So go out and buy the stamp.” Jim Williams, co-author of the book “Questions and Answers about Backyard Birds,” made that statement in an article he wrote for the Minneapolis Tribune a few years back. It’s good advice and […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
A Winter Bird Walk
The middle of winter can be the perfect time for a stroll along the many waterfront areas found throughout West Sound country. Choose a day when the weather offers clear, blue skies and crisp, cool temperatures. Birds sheltering in inland waters react to such a day as if spring were just around the corner. Lengthening […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, The Outdoors
Orca Births are Good News for Puget Sound but are At Risk
Most can agree that seeing an orca glide through the water is a pretty rare and incredible sight. If you have lived in the Puget Sound for a while, perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to see an orca or two in the wild. This year, with eight new orca calves in the Southern resident killer […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Get The Dirt — On Home Gardening
Get Ready for Gardening Start looking for seed packets at local nurseries during the months of January and February. The sooner, the better for best selection. If you wait too long to pick up veggie seeds, you may not get the ones desired. For maximum success, it’s best to choose short-season varieties that reach maturity […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Get The Dirt — On Home Gardening
The holidays are a time for resting a bit from gardening tasks and especially a time for friends and family. Since gardening and birds often go together, if you’re lucky, you may see a snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) passing through this region. It’s also a good time to select and peruse gardening books for yourself […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Christmas Gifts for Birdwatchers
“Happiness is a new spotting scope,” especially if you are a birdwatcher — or birder. When it comes to Christmas gifts for those interested in birds, optical gear is perfect for both beginning and experienced birders. Let your pocketbook be your guide. Excellent binoculars can be purchased for a variety of prices. Spotting scopes are […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, The Outdoors
How You Can Be Part of Thanksgiving Bird Count
During the month of November, one bird is in the minds of many West Sound residents. While the Thanksgiving turkey may be the Bird of the Month, other birds are getting their share of attention. They are the ones that will be counted on Thanksgiving Day. Throughout the West Sound and the Western states, hundreds […]