Penelope Kipps
Christmas Bird Count – December 20, 2025

Every December, thousands of volunteers across North America head outdoors to count birds — helping scientists understand how our feathered neighbors are doing. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) isn’t just a fun birding day — it’s the oldest and largest citizen science project in the world, and it depends entirely on volunteers like you.

Christmas Bird Count – December 20, 2025
Penelope Kipps
Eastside Audubon Grants and Scholarships

Eastside Audubon is now accepting applications for two funding opportunities supporting local conservation and education efforts.

Eastside Audubon Grants and Scholarships
Penelope Kipps
Puget Sound Seabird Survey

The Puget Sound Seabird Survey is looking for birders in King County to join this established Community Science program.

Puget Sound Seabird Survey
Penelope Kipps
March: Emerging Bird Song

In the quiet of the woods the bubbling song of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet erupted, and the high trill of the Brown Creeper signaled its presence. The hormonal drive to breed had birds singing regardless of the weather.

March: Emerging Bird Song
Penelope Kipps
November’s Green Tip of the Month: Embrace ...

As we head into winter, consider leaving your leaves and twigs in the yard. My pollinator garden might look tired, but every time I step outside, I see birds nibbling on seeds or resting in the brush. There’s so much life hidden in there that we often overlook!

November’s Green Tip of the Month: Embrace Nature’s Mulch!
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Northern Shrike

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Northern Shrike

Like a sentinel, as described by its species name excubitor, Latin for watchman or guard, the Northern Shrike surveys its territory from a low perch on a shrub or post. With precision it hunts using a direct flight toward its prey-a small rodent or another bird-and dispatches it quickly by “pounding its bill into the base or back of the skull and the using its hooked bill severing the spinal cord between the neck vertebrae as falcons do” (Sibley).