written by: Kathryn True

Whether you’re an avid birder or a beginner who’d like to learn more about birds, it’s not too late to sign up for the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), an annual tradition shared by birders across the continent. Join expert island birders in raising their binoculars to scour the beaches and forests of Vashon and Maury to record every bird they can see (and hear) in a 24-hour period. The resulting species tallies provide essential data used by the National Audubon Society to help protect bird species and their habitat.

A killdeer and a Western Snipe seen on previous CBC counts on Vashon. photo by: Richard Rogers.

How to participate

Here’s your official invitation from the Vashon-Maury Island Audubon Society:

The Vashon Christmas Bird Count is coming up Saturday December 31 and you can participate in two ways: 

 1. Count birds on your ...

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WRITTEN BY: KATHRYN TRUE

The Vashon-Maury Island Audubon Society’s fourth grade birding program has taught birding basics to thousands of children over the past 20 years. Through Vashon Artists in the Schools, Chautauqua teacher Jan Smith started integrating art into her bird lesson plans several years ago with the help of artist Rose Belknap.

Artwork from a student in Vashon's artful 4th grade birding program

 This multidisciplinary approach—and the engaging student art that resulted—caught the attention of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a renowned bird research center. In November, the curriculum was featured as a model program on their Celebrate Urban Birds website.

 

You can learn more about the birding program’s history in this Beachcomber article. http://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/news/134710373.html

 

If you’d like to get involved, contact current bird program leader Richard Rogers through the Audubon website. And if you’re ...

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NATURALIST HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

BOOK SIGNING JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!!!!

This Friday December 2nd come join us from 5-7 pm at the Land Trust building. 

Author Bianca Perla will be there to sign books and discuss questions/feedback you have about the book.

Books for sale or bring your own copy.

THIS IS A KID FRIENDLY EVENT!!

 Drop by whenever you like. There is no talk. There will be interpretive tables set up with a bird and mammal collection, an island shell collection, and photos of Vashon's beautiful butterflies with naturalists on hand. 

Hope to see you there!