Tuesday May 14th 7:00 Social; 7:30 Program Padilla Bay Interpretive Center 10441 Bayview Edison Road Mount Vernon
It is estimated that between 365 million to 1 billion birds are killed by window collisions in the United States each year. You can help by getting involved with collision prevention and monitoring efforts. This presentation will examine the effectiveness, aesthetics, and affordability of various window treatments used in collision prevention as well as collision monitoring programs. There will also be examples of real life window treatments for people to check out in-person.
Kim Nelson has a MA in Biology from Miami University. Her studies focused on community engagement regarding avian conservation issues with an emphasis in bird-window collision prevention at zoological facilities. She recently joined Skagit Audubon Society and has been assisting with educational programs and field trips.
Conservation Report, May 2019
Details
By Tim Mann
State Legislature: The state legislative session was scheduled to finish April 28th with passage of the biennial general, capital, and transportation budgets. Each year, legislators introduce several thousand bills. Most drop out at deadlines in the session calendar. At this writing, the 100% Clean Energy bill (SB 5116), a top priority for Audubon and many other conservation groups, is destined for the Governor’s signature. It sets a schedule for phasing out fossil-fuel generated electricity by 2045, a significant step in addressing carbon emissions and the climate change they cause. Adam Maxwell, Government Relations Director for Audubon Washington, said, “It’s hard to overstate what a big deal this is. Washington would become the fourth state to pass a 100% clean electricity standard, but many other states are considering similar legislation.”
Governor Inslee will also be signing bills to help achieve the clean energy goal by improving efficiency of appliances and of newly constructed buildings. He will sign a bill requiring tug escorts for the crude oil barges bound for March Point and other refineries and a measure to speed recovery of chinook, the principal food of Southern Resident Killer Whales (HB 1579). And more! Audubon has been supporting improved funding for Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), which manages important habitat, and researches, protects, and restores endangered and sensitive species. At this writing, the likely outcome for the agency’s budget is hopeful but not quite clear. A partial ban on single-use plastic bags, which has failed for this session, may succeed next year.
Marblemount Quarry: In late March, Skagit Audubon submitted comments to Skagit County Planning & Development Services on possible adverse environmental impacts from a proposed very large stone quarrying operation along the South Skagit Highway near Marblemount. Kiewit Infrastructure proposes to quarry very large, dense rocks for repairing jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River and elsewhere over the next 30 to 100 years. The project application omits or inadequately addresses potential adverse impacts to local residents, wildlife, air and water quality, etc. There is no mention, for example, of the fisher, a state-listed species being actively restored not far from the project site, and the application significantly downplays the presence of the state and federally-listed gray wolf. As WDFW recently announced, the documented existence of a male and female wolf in the Diobsud Creek drainage near Marblemount constitutes a pack, the newest in Washington State and the first west of the Cascades in modern times. The scale and nature of the quarry project, inadequate application, and 15-day comment period provoked a hue and cry from local residents as well as organizations and agencies, many calling, as does Skagit Audubon, for an environmental impact statement. Skagit County has opened a new comment period, closing May 13. To read about the quarry proposal and to comment, go to https://www.skagitcounty.net/PlanningAndPermit/Documents/notices2019/April/kiewit.johnc.04.12.19.pdf (instructions about commenting) and https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/PlanningAndPermit/MarblemountQuarry.htm (project information and on-line comment form).
DRAFT Washington State Recovery Plan and Periodic Status Review for the Tufted Puffin (2019)DRAFT Washington State Recovery Plan and Periodic Status Review for the Tufted Puffin (2019)
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The WEB site is the state recovery plan and first periodic status review for the Tufted Puffin; it is intended to guide conservation and recovery efforts, and also provide a status update. It identifies a recovery goal, specifies population targets for reclassification, and outlines recovery strategies and tasks. It also provides a brief update to the status information in the 2015 status report, and new research and monitoring information relevant to Tufted Puffins in Washington.
Wolf Hollow serves all of San Juan and Skagit Counties and northern Whidbey Island
GREAT AMERICAN ARCTIC BIRDING CHALLENGE March 15 through June 1, 2019
Details
Each spring, birds from all over the United States and from all six continents travel to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other ecologically rich areas of the American Arctic. Birds rely on these pristine habitats for nesting, breeding, staging, and molting.
Birdwatchers across the US can celebrate the importance of the Arctic by participating in this year's Great American Arctic Birding Challenge. Recruit some fellow birders (up to six per team), think of a snazzy team name, grab a pair of binoculars, and find as many different Arctic bird species as you can in your state.
Learn more and register your team online at ak.audubon.org/GAABC before May 1st!
HAPPY BIRDING!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Details
The Education Committee needs volunteers to help with a number of adult presentations coming up in the next several months. These Power Point presentations are scheduled at libraries and private organizations/clubs in the area. If you can help give part of a presentation (already written), that would be great; or, you can assist with the computer and help answer questions from the audience. If you can lend a hand, please contact Sheila at skagiteducation2@gmail.com
56th Annual Wenas Audubon Campout
Details
The 56th Annual Wenas Audubon Campout will take place on Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-27, 2019) at the The Hazel Wolf Bird Sanctuary at the Wenas Creek Campground (SW of Ellensburg).
This casual and friendly gathering offers a variety of activities, including birding field trips, wildflower walks, field sketching, owl prowls, and campfire presentations PLUS special guest speaker, corvid researcher Dr. Kaeli Swift, Ph.D. You do not need to be an Audubon member to attend. All are welcome to this family-friendly event.
Visit the Wenas Audubon website (www.wenasaudubon.org) for directions, an outline of field trips and programming, and more information (2019 program coming soon). The campout is free and open to all ages. No reservations or registrations needed; just show up, set up camp, and participate in activities.
Donations are encouraged to cover SaniCans, signage, and other administrative costs. Every vehicle must display a Washington State Discover Pass (http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/). Barring high fire danger, campfires will be allowed.
Follow us on Facebook, too! We'll be sharing photos and stories from past years, as well as tips from Wenas Campout pros to help make your trip a fun and memorable experience. facebook.com/wenasaudubon/
Skagit Audubon Society holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month except for the months of July and August. We meet at 7:00 pm at Padilla Bay Interpretive Center(Google map), 10441 Bayview-Edison Rd. Mount Vernon. Meetings are open to all.
The board of directors meets at the same location at 7:00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month, except for the months of July and August.
7:00 Social; 7:30 Program 
By Tim Mann
repairing jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River and elsewhere over the next 30 to 100 years. The project application omits or inadequately addresses potential adverse impacts to local residents, wildlife, air and water quality, etc. There is no mention, for example, of the fisher, a state-listed species being actively restored not far from the project site, and the application significantly downplays the presence of the state and federally-listed gray wolf. As WDFW recently announced, the documented existence of a male and female wolf in the Diobsud Creek drainage near Marblemount constitutes a pack, the newest in Washington State and the first west of the Cascades in modern times. The scale and nature of the quarry project, inadequate application, and 15-day comment period provoked a hue and cry from local residents as well as organizations and agencies, many calling, as does Skagit Audubon, for an environmental impact statement. Skagit County has opened a new comment period, closing May 13. To read about the quarry proposal and to comment, go to 