Eastside Audubon Society

Ever wanted to attract birds to your property, whether you live on a large property or have a small apartment balcony? Join the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Eastside Audubon for an informative "Habitat at Home Workshop." This workshop will teach you how to create quality habitats that invite birds to your space, regardless of your living situation. The workshop is led by Claire Kerwin. Claire has been working in restoration ecology and education for 10 years. She believes that humans and the natural world are not separate and she’s passionate about teaching this beneficial relationship. Participants will leave with a custom habitat plan, planting resources, and a habitat starter kit. Don’t miss this opportunity to build a thriving bird habitat at home! Registration for this event is required. Registration closes August 15th at 5pm. The workshop is free, but a donation of up to $20 would be appreciated to offset the cost of supplies. Find more information on our website and register at https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar/2024/8/17/habitat-at-home-workshop

🌟 Let's make sure our passion for birdwatching aligns with ethical standards to protect our feathered friends and their habitats. Here are some tips:
1️⃣ Respect Wildlife: Keep a safe distance to avoid stressing out birds or disrupting their natural behaviors.
2️⃣ Stay on Designated Paths: Protect nesting grounds and fragile ecosystems by sticking to marked trails.
3️⃣ Minimize Disturbance: Avoid excessive noise and sudden movements to maintain a calm environment for birds.
4️⃣ Leave No Trace: Take all litter with you, including food wrappers and birdseed containers.
5️⃣ Educate Others: Share these tips with fellow birders and other individuals to promote responsible birdwatching practices.
Let's keep our passion for birds sustainable and respectful. Together, we can enjoy the beauty of nature while preserving it for future generations! 🌳💚

For the bird to have the greatest chance of recovery and release, contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away. Don't try to care for the bird yourself. Only a licensed wildlife rehabilitator has the special equipment and skills to provide the injured bird with proper care. 🦆🦅🌲

Bread is Bad for Birds! 🦅
As tempting as it is to share bread with your birds—whether wild or domesticated—it is best to simply avoid it. Feeding birds bread can result in malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies if it is eaten regularly or in large amounts.🦆

Join us for our Summertime 2024 Picnic Bash!!☀️🌸🦅
It’s all happening at Marymoor Park in Redmond at 6 p.m. on Wednesday July 24, 2024. We’ll meet at the Velodrome Picnic Shelter (near the BirdLoop) next to Parking Lot I. Parking is $1 per car, which can be purchased at a kiosk onsite.
We won’t be sharing food or having a potluck for the picnic. We ask that each person or family bring their own food, only enough for themselves. However, Eastside Audubon board members will have the grill fired up and ready to cook the meat or veggies that you bring. Find more information on our website and register at https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar/2024/7/24/eastside-audubon-together-again-picnic-8wa83-kfsk2-n82ty

Hello 300 Volunteers and Supporters!🌲
Help 300 Trees care for our fledging forest at Sammamish High School through
our summer watering program. A couple times per month during the hot weather, a team of 5-6
volunteers will water and mulch the trees. Sign up to join us on any or all of our watering dates.
Time: Bi-monthly on Saturday or Sunday, 8-10 AM.
Location: Sammamish Highschool, 100 140th Ave. SE Bellevue.
Meeting Place: South side, back of school, by the Glass Blowing building. Park in the school lot.
Be Prepared: Wear good shoes and sun screen. Long pants, gloves and hats recommended. Bring your own food/drink.
Reminders: Please mark your calendars. Signup Genius will send you a reminder 3 days in advance.
STUDENT SERVICE HOURS APPROVED
Sign up using the link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49AAAD29A4FDC25-49792607-shswater #/

Educating ourselves and our community about ethical practices for respecting wildlife, their habitats, and the rights of others fosters a welcoming environment for birders. 🐓 The third Code of Birding Ethics states: "Respect and promote the laws and rights of others."

❌ Never enter private property without the landowner's permission. Respect the interests of and interact positively with people living in the area where you are birding.
🚦Familiarize yourself with and follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing activities at your birding location. This includes regulations governing use of roads and public areas, both at home and abroad.
🪺Be aware of regulations related to birds, such as disturbance of protected nesting areas or sensitive habitats, and the use of audio or food lures.

Your exemplary behavior while birding will generate good-will with birders and non-birders alike. 🙌 Let's all contribute to creating a safe space for everyone
❗Remember to "Respect and promote birds and their environment, the birding community and its individual members, and the law and rights of others."

For more information about birding ethics, visit our website at www.eastsideaudubon.org/birding-ethics

For our June 27th Program Night, Eastside Audubon is shaking it up a bit! We will have not 1, but 2 FREE events!! Please note that you can attend either one, or even both, but each event has its own required registration. 🦆

Want to get to the Botanical Gardens early? From 6pm to 6:45pm, the Bellevue Botanical Gardens will offer a nature walk through the gardens. Registration is required and is limited to 20 people. 🌸

At 7pm, we will meet for an ice cream social! Join us for a presentation that will feature Eastside Audubon leaders as we provide updates and presentations on various projects we have up and running, and some plans for the future! Registration is required and is limited to 50 people. So come on out on June 27th
and join us! 🍦

Remember, you can attend either or both events, but each one will require separate registration. Find more information on our website at https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar/2024/6/22/ice-cream

Eastside Audubon wants to make a 2024 collectible pin, and we need your help! We are creating an annual pin that will be different year-to-year for our members, volunteers, and friends to collect. It’s a fun way to create some swag that will change every year, and you can help design it!

Rules for submissions
🦅Incorporate either "Eastside Audubon" or "EAS"
🕊Make sure the year "2024" is in the design
🐦The pin will be small, approximately 1x1”, so please make sure your design is bold
🦜Any birds included in the design should be birds found in Washington State (seabirds found in our coastal water and migratory birds also qualify)

We’re looking for a fresh and creative design for the pin, so there is no need to try to copy our current logo, or use a Stellar's Jay. We welcome submissions from anyone regardless of involvement in our organization or location. Get creative! ✨

Our members will select the winner by voting on the artwork. We will use the winning artwork and make the pins. When thinking about your design, remember the final product will be a lapel pin meant to fit on a lanyard or hat, so don’t get too crazy with a lot of detail.

❗️The deadline for submission is July 15, 2024. Please email your submission to
us at [email protected] ❗️

Let’s see what you got!!! 🙌

Thank you for your generous support of birds and their habitat. Your continued efforts of volunteering, participating, and supporting Eastside Audubon helps us keep the birds singing! 🦜
We've had a great month of May for our Birdathon fundraiser. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and your donations help us continue supporting birds and the environment in our service area.
May isn't over yet! Let's end the month strong and reach our fundraising goal. The Melody S. Robidoux Foundation is matching funds up to $15,000, and you can help us reach this by donating on our website, at www.eastsideaudubon.org/support-us .
🐦And don't forget to join us this Thursday at our Birds and Brews event to gather together and enjoy each others company! 🪶

Join us for Birds and Brews on May 30th hosted by our friends at Postdoc Brewery. Postdoc is located right outside of Marymoor Park, which is a place of significance not just for birds but for Eastside Audubon’s restoration work. To register for the event go to this link: https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar/2024/5/birds-and-brews30

What: Birds and Brews. A friendly gathering for Eastside Audubon volunteers, donors and members.

Where: Postdoc Brewing, just outside of Marymoor Park

When: Thursday May 30th at 7:00pm-9:00pm

Cost and Registration: $25 per person. Ages 21 and up.

🐻Join us for Program Night! With the upcoming reintroduction of Grizzly Bears to the North Cascades, now is a great time to learn about these bears. Join us on Thursday, May 23rd as Bryce Andrews tell a story about bears, agriculture, wilderness and sharing spaces with wild animals! This is a virtual event that will be held on Zoom. Registration is FREE but REQUIRED. Find more information on our website at https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar/2024/5/23/down-from-the-mountain-the-life-and-death-of-a-grizzly

Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. Here is some information about the second Code of Birding Ethics, Respect and promote birds and their environment.

•Be an exemplary ethical role model by following this Code and leading by example. Always bird and report with honesty and integrity.

• Respect the interests, rights, and skill levels of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience and be especially helpful to beginning birders.

•Share bird observations freely, provided such reporting would not violate other sections of this Code, as birders, ornithologists, and conservationists derive considerable benefit from publicly available bird sightings.

• Approach instances of perceived unethical birding behavior with sensitivity and respect; try to resolve the matter in a positive manner, keeping in mind that perspectives vary. Use the situation as an opportunity to teach by example and to introduce more people to this Code.

• In group birding situations, promote knowledge by everyone in the group of the practices in this Code and ensure that the group does not unduly interfere with others using the same area.

Keep these practices in mind and always put the birds and the environment first! 🦆

PC: Mick Thompson

We have some exciting events coming up for Birdathon! This week there are field trips at Lake Sammamish State Park and Kittitas County Hotspots. There is also Program Night! Birdathon is a fundraiser so we ask for a $25 donation which helps us support birds and conservation efforts in the area. Look forward to seeing you! Find more information on our website at www.eastsideaudubon.org/birdathon
PC: Mick Thompson

Happy ! We want to highlight fun facts about Crows vs. Ravens.
Crows and Ravens appear very similar, so they are commonly mistaken for one another. If you look and listen carefully, you’ll be able to spot the differences. To learn more about these birds check out this link https://www.audubon.org/news/how-tell-raven-crow

🦆This week is GiveBIG! When you give, good things happen in Washington. Giving to Eastside Audubon during GiveBIG helps us provide our educational and conservation programs, scholarships to students, provide unique birding experiences, and advocate for a better environment at the local and state levels.
Get all the feels by donating during GiveBIG! To make a donation click the link here!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3B8CDRMUM2MML

We have some exciting events coming up for Birdathon! This Saturday, May 11th, is Global Big Day and a field trip at Three Forks Park and Natural Area. Birdathon is a fundraiser so we ask for a $25 donation which helps us support birds and conservation efforts in the area. Look forward to seeing you!
Find more information on our website at www.eastsideaudubon.org/birdathon
PC: Mick Thompson

Orca Action Month is happening in June! This year's Orca Month theme is Clean Water, Healthy Futures. Toxic pollution and contaminants in the environment are one of the three threats facing orcas. It comes from untreated stormwater pollution, industrial discharges, and legacy sources from decades ago that are still persistent in the environment. With an abundance of policies addressing toxic pollutants in Washington State this year, along with rising concern over the tire chemical 6PPD-Q and increased focus on how environmental pollution disproportionately impacts low-income and BIPOC communities, this is an opportune time to raise awareness and collectively envision a clean water future. Throughout the month of June, event participants will learn about toxic substances threatening orcas, salmon, and people alike and will be empowered to take actions promoting healthier futures for all.

The Orca Month opening webinar will occur on Wednesday, May 29th from 5:30-6:30 pm PST.

To learn about the opening webinar, upcoming events, and this year’s theme, go to www.orcamonth.com. Free and fun events designed for every type of orca-lover out there!

Artwork by .

Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. Here is some information about the first Code of Birding Ethics, Respect and promote birds and their environment.🪶🕊

• Be mindful of any negative environmental impacts of your activities
• Engage in and promote bird-friendly practices whenever possible. This includes keeping cats and other domestic animals indoors, installing bird-safe windows, maintaining and cleaning feeding stations, using native plants in your garden, and advocating for conservation policies.
• Avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger! Be cautious around nests, roots, display sites -- keep a safe and healthy distance for the birds.
• Exercise caution and restraint when photographing, recording, or otherwise approaching birds. Don't linger too long around nesting, displaying, or feeding sites. Use a silent shutter if your camera allows and avoid the use of flash photography.
• Stay on the trail! Minimize your habitat disturbance and don't stray off the path to disturb the environment.
• Before publicly advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people. You may be respectful, but others may not.

Keep these practices in mind and always put the birds and the environment first!

We have some exciting events coming up for Birdathon! In May we have field trips at Juanita Bay Park, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR and Union Bay Natural Area.

Birdathon is our annual spring fundraiser so we ask for a $25 donation which helps us support birds and conservation efforts in the area. Look forward to seeing you! Find more information on our website at www.eastsideaudubon.org/birdathon

PC: Mick Thompson

🌟Be a part of birding's biggest team!🦅 Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you, gathering people from all over to help count and track birds.
Whether you're counting from home or going on in the field, no matter how much time you can spare, the data gathered is valuable for scientific bird counts. No need to be an expert birder, your observations help us better understand global bird populations!
Participate in Global Big Day with us on May 11th. For more information check out our page and register at: https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/global-big-day

Join us for our monthly Bird Walk at Juanita Bay Park! Field trip co-leaders Chuck Guilford and Kathy Kuyper will lead an early morning walk through Juanita Bay Park Wednesday, May 1st, to see what birds are in the area. Route for the day will depend upon prior scouting. We will go to the most interesting or rarest birds first. Bring binoculars and meet in the parking lot! All levels are welcome, including children with an accompanying adult. During the month of May, Eastside Audubon raises money for Birdathon. We encourage a donation of $25 per person. Note that neither the registration nor the donation is required to attend this walk. Registration closes April 29th. Find more information on our website at https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar/2023/5/field-trip-at-juanita-bay-park.
PC: Mick Thompson

Happy Earth Day!
Today is a reminder of the importance of conservation and sustainability. According to www.earthday.org, an estimated 1 billion people mark this day as one of action to raise awareness, make changes, and create a deeper connection to nature and the world around them. Together we can make an impact and create a more sustainable world. To learn more about how to get involved, visit www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024/ 🌎

Bellevue residents, do you have concerns about Bellevue's tree canopy? Now is your time to address these concerns with tree removal for development, and encourage the city to plant more native tree species! Trees4Livability is organizing community members to attend the Public Hearing for Tree Code Updates on April 24th at 6:30 pm. Everyone that signs up on time will have a chance to speak regarding the tree codes. This will be a very important and special time that is dedicated on the LUCA draft, and only that. This is the big day we've been waiting for! Please come out and show your support. 🌲

Learn more on the Trees4Livability website: https://trees4livability.org/ -96a1-4b14-8d9b-ba2429f0ad34

🦅Join us for our most rewarding fundraiser of the year, Birdathon!
Count birds as a team, attend a birding trip, or make a donation to support our chapter’s conservation, education, and advocacy work. Whether you are just getting started or an avid birder, everyone can make a difference for birds this year by taking part in this exciting event.
You can check out our upcoming Birdathon events by visiting our website here: https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/birdathon
Our Calendar is also up-to-date with all of our Birdathon events! We look forward to seeing you this May 🥳

Happy ! 👇 This time we're posting about the Lights Out💡 initiative and how it effects birds in Migration. Light pollution is a huge risk for birds, and it has caused almost three billions bird deaths since 1970.
🌸Spring migration season happens from March 15 to May 31st, and 🍂Fall migration falls during August 15th and October 31st.
Let’s turn out our lights and give the birds that migrate through Puget Sound the dark skies they need to make it on their way safely. To learn more about this program, check out Audubon's official Lights Out program on their website.
https://www.audubon.org/our-work/cities-and-towns/lights-out

Thanks to Nadia Carrim for the Lights Out Graphic!

✨We're looking for volunteers!!✨ There are some exciting events coming up that Eastside Audubon will be hosting a booth at. As a nonprofit organization, we run on the valuable time that our volunteers gift to us. If you're looking to get more involved in the community or with Eastside Audubon, now is your chance! 🦉
Help us staff our booth at the MSHS Green Team and Snoqualmie Tribe Earth Day Celebration, Sammamish Valley Pollinator Fest, and the City of Redmond Sustainability Fair. Reach out to Jeannine at [email protected] if you're interested in volunteering!
We look forward to seeing you at these events 🥳