In This Issue
Message From the Board
A Season of Gratitude & Action
As autumn settles over the Skagit Valley, November brings a natural pause to reflect on the season and give thanks for the rich biodiversity that surrounds us. From the returning winter waterfowl in our estuaries to the quiet beauty of our local forests, nature gives us so much. This month, we invite every member to turn that gratitude into active stewardship.
Turn Gratitude Into Daily Conservation
True conservation is built on daily choices and community support. Here are three powerful ways you can express your gratitude for Skagit’s wildlife this month:
Support SVC Scholars: The October 10 Big Sit was a huge success! Our team logged 69 total species at Rosario Head and home sit locations. We’re closing in on our goal to award 3 Environmental Conservation scholarships to Skagit Valley College students. Whether you give $10, $25, or $100, every donation combines to remove real financial barriers for the next generation of local conservation leaders. Donate today and help us reach the finish line! (Read about our 2025 scholars in the Education section below).
Vote For Skagit’s Future (by Nov. 3): Many people wait until the last minute. Don't let Election Day pass without casting your ballot for habitat protection, clean water, and climate resilience.
Transform Your Yard: Simple choices at home—like leaving fallen leaves for forage or planting native shrubs—provide instant sanctuary for wintering birds.
💡 Upcoming Tip: Don't miss our November program with Brian Zinke for quick, practical steps to turn your yard or patio into a thriving bird haven!
Protect What You Love: Vote by Nov. 3
Expressing gratitude for Skagit’s rich biodiversity means protecting the laws and policies that safeguard it. With key federal, state, and local decisions on the ballot this election cycle, voting is your direct opportunity to advocate for local habitat protection and environmental health.
As a non-profit, we don't endorse candidates, but we urge every member to make their voice heard for the people, birds, and places of the Skagit Valley. Your vote is your conservation pledge.
Cover photo: Black-capped Chickadee by Diana Hoffman. To survive the winter, they scatter-cache thousands of seeds during the autumn peak—expanding their brain's memory center by 30% each fall to remember every hiding spot.
Member Spotlight
Meet Desirae – Finding Courage, Community, and Connection
Desirae Golis’s birding journey started with a toddler’s love for owl toys, and her short 1,000-step walks to work. From spotting neighborhood sparrows to stepping up as a field trip leader and finding comfort in nature through life's unexpected turns, Desirae brings warmth and curiosity to Skagit Audubon.
How did you discover birding, and what was your "spark bird"?
Desirae: "It began with my toddler son—we'd sit together looking at owl picture books and playing calls. Owls planted the seed, but a Spotted Towhee on my 1,000-step commute to work sparked the true obsession. I bought a field guide that day and was hooked. From then on, that short walk became a daily treasure hunt—yielding year-round Anna's Hummingbirds, spring Yellow-rumped Warblers, and thrilling visits from Cooper's Hawks and Merlins!"
What gave you the courage to step up and lead field trips?
Desirae: "I volunteered to get outside and bird more! I love being around people who care about nature, and joining others expands my knowledge—like learning about autumnal recrudescence during a Big Sit."
How do you fit birding into a busy schedule?
Desirae: "Working full-time means birding mainly on weekends, but setting up backyard feeders and bird baths brings the joy to you! Since moving to Mount Vernon, I enjoy daily visits from Steller's Jays, chickadees, nuthatches, towhees, and woodpeckers."
How has nature provided comfort or healing for you?
Desirae: "Birding helped me push past social anxiety on busy trails—getting over that hurdle rewarded me with my first Red-breasted Nuthatches and Brown Creepers! More recently, nature and birds have been a welcome distraction after being diagnosed with cancer in June. I've also felt incredible warmth and support from friends within Skagit Audubon."
What is one thing you want our members to know?
Desirae: "Birding doesn't require expertise in ornithology. Instead of trying to know everything, just maintain curiosity and learn something new each day. We are lucky to share this world with beautiful, impressive, and sometimes extremely silly birds!"
Thank you, Desirae, for enriching our Skagit Audubon community with your resilience, curiosity, and leadership for everyday birding!
Got someone to nominate for Member Highlight?
Field Trip - Andrew Spitznas
Upcoming Trips
All field trips are free and open to the public. We always welcome new trip leaders—mentorship is free. Contact Andrew if you are interested.
11/14 Sat. @ 9–12 — Rosario Area, Deception Pass SP
Targets: Winter songbirds, waterfowl, gulls, alcids, Red Crossbills, cormorants, loons, and grebes (optional extension to Lake Erie or Campbell Lake for additional duck species).
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Smooth, hard-surfaced path to base of Rosario Head; unpaved trail to top rises ~200 ft in elevation (~0.5 mile total).
Leader: Keith and Jan Wiggers ([email protected])
Meeting Spot: Rosario Beach parking area (Discover Pass required). Bring binoculars/scope and dress for weather/wind.
11/21 Sat. @ 12–3PM — Wiley Slough (Skagit Wildlife Area HQ)
Targets: Waterfowl, shorebirds (Dunlin, Yellowlegs), perching birds, and raptors along the rising tide.
Difficulty: Easy. Flat terrain with good footing suitable for most abilities; accessible restrooms available.
Leader: Jeff Osmundson
Meeting Spot: Pavilion in Headquarters parking lot (Discover Pass required). Bring binoculars/scope and dress in warm layers.
Optional Pre-Trip: 9AM at Fir Island Farms (Hayton Reserve) parking lot to observe waterfowl on the rising tide.
Hiking - Jane Billinghurst
Upcoming Hikes
All hikes are free and open to the public. Please note these are not birding hikes.
Contact Hikes to join our email list for weekly updates.
Find a checklist for new hikers and full hike descriptions on our website.
November hikes include easy to strenuous options. The through hike from Bowman Bay to the ACFL adds a new perspective to familiar routes.
Nov 4 · Northern State
9–noon (or earlier)
You choose miles, flat · Easy
Nov 11 · Sharpe Park
9–noon · Two options
2.1 mi 440 ft · Easy
3 mi 540 ft · Moderate
Nov 18 · Lost Lake, Fragrance Lake, or Clayton Beach
9–3 (or earlier) · Three options
10 mi 1900 ft · Hard
4 mi 1260 ft · Moderate
1.2 mi 200 ft · Easy
Nov 25 · Bowman to ACFL
9–3 (or earlier) · Two options
8.5 mi 1476 ft · Moderate
3.63 mi flat · Easy
Upcoming Programs - Ann Kramer
November monthly member meeting
Date & Time: 11/10 Tue. @ 7PM
Location: Zoom only. Program will be recorded.
The Topic: North America has lost 30% of its birds since 1970, largely due to habitat loss. Learn how landscaping your yard, patio, or community space with native plants provides essential food and shelter for resident and migratory birds while keeping them safe.
Speaker: Executive Director of Pilchuck Audubon Society. A published wildlife biologist, Brian’s field experience ranges from searching for black-footed ferrets on Midwest prairies and surveying Great Gray Owls in Wyoming to studying bats in cave hibernacula.
5 Minutes with Brian Zinke
Ahead of his 11/10 talk, Ann spoke with Brian about everyday conservation.
After years surveying wild species in remote habitats, how do you view local residential yards?
“They play just as critical a role! Individual yards with native plants create crucial habitat corridors connecting fragmented ecosystems across our communities.”
1 simple action a beginner can take this fall?
“Start small—you don’t need to transform your whole property overnight. Small, deliberate actions, like planting native shrubs like Salal or leaving fall leaves for ground-foraging birds like Towhees, instantly add ecological value to your space.”
December Holiday Photo Show & Potluck
Date & Time: Dec. 8 @ 7:00 PM
Location: Padilla Bay Interpretive Center
Format: In-person non-competitive photo sharing and holiday potluck.
Photo by Ann Kramer
New This Year: Bird Shifts—include 1–2 photos of species you are seeing less/not at all or more frequently.
Submission Guidelines:
Bird photos only; max 5 selected per photographer (submit up to 7 for curation).
File size: 500 KB to 3 MB (1–2 MB preferred).
Include a 25–50 word description per image (species, location, story, behaviors, ID, or conservation status).
Next Steps: Email your interest (not the photos yet) and questions to [email protected] by Monday, November 16, 2026, to receive upload instructions.
Thank You for Celebrating "Life in the Wild"
Photo: Kin Kou
Thank you to the 300 guests who joined us on October 3rd for Chris Morgan’s moving presentation, "Life in the Wild," which evoked wonder, laughter, sorrow, and joy while highlighting the importance of protecting wild spaces. Special thanks to our co-hosts: City of Mount Vernon, North Cascades Institute, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, Skagit Land Trust, and the Salal Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society.
PARTNER EVENT - Nov 24 6:30PM @ Whatcom Museum
"Partners in Pitch: The Evolutionary Ecology of Neotropical Wren Duet Songs" by Chris Templeton. Discover the fascinating world of complex avian vocalizations, highly coordinated duets, and how these birds learn and synchronize their repertoires.
Conservation - Tim Manns
Sign up for Audubon’s Action Network!
Add your voice to national and state efforts to protect birds and their habitat. Audubon’s strength in protecting birds through legislation and advocacy comes from having members everywhere—in all Congressional Districts across the U.S. and in every Washington State legislative district.
Northern State Bitterns (likely) Safe for Now
The Skagit Valley Herald reported on October 9th that Sedro-Woolley is discussing with the local school district a possible agreement to build baseball diamonds on an unused part of the district’s Janicki Fields. The article quotes the city’s mayor as not having given up the idea of a sports complex someday in Skagit County’s Northern State Recreation Area, but for now it looks positive for the American Bitterns keeping their nesting habitat there.
On behalf of this uncommon, charismatic bird, a big Thank You to everyone who wrote or spoke to save their habitat.
Conservation Notes
The Skagit Audubon website has current and past Conservation Notes on local, regional, and national issues relevant to Skagit Audubon including information on giving your support.
Burrowing Owl (credit: Jean Hall/Audubon)
November’s issues include proposed Washington listing of the Burrowing Owl as endangered, implementing amendments to Washington’s Shoreline Management Act, British Columbia First Nations’ actions to restore the North Cascades grizzly, and more.
On the same web page you can find comment letters Skagit Audubon has sent on past issues.
Education - Colleen Shannon
The Big Sit Was a Big Success—Help Us Cross the Finish Line!
Photo by Keith Wiggers
On October 10, sunny skies and party-like camaraderie greeted 24 volunteers at Rosario Head in Deception Pass State Park. Gifting a collective 79 hours, our Rosario team logged 56 species, while home sitters added 13 more for a grand total of 69 bird species!
Every species counted fuels our primary fundraiser for the Skagit Audubon Environmental Conservation Scholarship at Skagit Valley College (SVC). Your generosity directly removes real financial barriers for local students—just look at the impact on our 2025–2026 scholarship recipients:
Maddy Reiss (Marine Studies): "As someone living in a one-income household of four... This scholarship enabled me to pursue my goals with less worry of what tomorrow may bring."
Amy Giltner (Sustainable Design & Urban Ecology): "The Audubon Society’s commitment to creating spaces where both wildlife and communities thrive deeply inspires my vision... to create landscapes that embody our shared values."
Nicholas LaQuet (Environmental Conservation): "Growing up here, I’ve seen firsthand environmental destruction and loss of habitat... With my degree, I hope to work with local agencies and protect Skagit’s natural resources."
It is not too late to turn those 69 species into student success! Help us reach our goal of awarding three $2,000 scholarships this year. Click the Donate button below to make your tax-deductible gift today!
Birder’s Digest - Kin Kou
The latest on where and how to see birds in Skagit County, plus other interesting bird-related news.
Turn Birding Logs Into Science
Everyday observations by birders are becoming even more useful. A University of Michigan study shows that language models can scan millions of eBird comments to extract notes on species interactions—mixed flocks, feeder competition, predation—that would take people weeks to analyze. Your detailed checklist notes can now contribute more than species counts; they help map how bird communities function and respond to change.
At the same time, BirdNET Live (Cornell Lab and Chemnitz University) is a professional bioacoustics app for both ID and survey/count work. Like Merlin Sound ID, it works fully offline. It covers nearly 9,000 bird species plus many other animals, and includes dedicated survey modes (point-count, transect), time/location data with easy data export to BirdNET Analyzer or other tools. Merlin remains excellent for everyday identification and learning; BirdNET Live is especially handy for remote, structured field work.
The careful observations chapter members already make remain the foundation. These tools simply help those observations reach farther.
Connecting Generations Through Birding This Thanksgiving
As families gather this Thanksgiving, birding offers a warm bridge across generations. Reconnect around the holiday table with these simple, meaningful conversation starters:
For Kids: Inspire wonder without a lecture using open-ended questions like "If you were a bird, where would you build your nest?" Find more ideas on BirdNote's nature questions for kids.
For Gen Z & Millennials: Young adults are flocking to birding for an "analog" escape from screen burnout. As highlighted in Cascadia Daily’s look at how Gen Z and Millennials are embracing birding, many are drawn to outdoor calm paired with local conservation action.
Sharing Mentorship: Ask younger relatives what conservation issues matter most to them, or share a story about how local habitats have shifted over your lifetime. Every generation gains from birding—for health, mindfulness, or advocacy—and our chapter's experienced members have a wealth of knowledge to share.
Cozy Up With Autumn Reads
As crisp fall days grow shorter, wrap up in a warm blanket with these inspiring autumn reads:
Marvelous Wings: Reflections on Birds of the Pacific Northwest by Thomas Bancroft (Basalt Books / WSU Press, Sept 2026): Local ornithologist Thomas Bancroft—a familiar voice from his past Skagit Audubon program appearance—offers a soulful essay collection blending field science with personal reflections on Swainson’s Thrush migration, local habitats, and healing after loss. Skagit birders will recognize familiar places woven throughout. Pair a chapter with a quiet morning scan of March Point!
The Bird with the Flaming Red Feet by Maria Mudd Ruth (Mountaineers Books, 2026): A lively natural history of our resident Pigeon Guillemots chattering at Deception Pass and Padilla Bay. Built on 20+ years of surveys by 250+ volunteer "Guillemoteers," it’s a heartwarming celebration of Salish Sea community science. Bonus: Download a Pigeon Guillemot language card.
The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds by John Muir Laws: Far more than an art guide, this classic tool sharpens your field ID skills. By teaching bird anatomy, silhouettes, and proportions, it helps you train your eye to catch subtle differences faster through binoculars.
Local Updates - Kin Kou
What’s happening across our local habitats this month.
🚁 Drones Monitoring Waterfowl Through December
Keep an eye on the skies. WDFW researchers are conducting AI-assisted drone flights across lower North Puget Sound through December to survey 100,000+ overwintering Snow Geese and 15,000 swans. This pilot program aims to replace risky low-altitude manned flights with faster, safer counts while minimizing wildlife disturbance.
🪿 Snow Geese Arrive as Hunting Season Begins
Migratory waterfowl are arriving across the delta in strong numbers, though exact Wrangel Island breeding counts remain unavailable this year due to paused international surveys. Note: Waterfowl hunting season is now underway across Skagit County (running through late January). Review safety tips (sent to us from WDFW in 2024) before heading out to local viewing spots where you will share with hunters.
🦅 Skagit River Interpretive Center Planning Final Season
After nearly 30 years at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center announced it will close following the 2026–27 season. Volunteer shortages, recurring winter floods, and shifting eagle distribution toward coastal estuaries prompted the decision. Be sure to visit Rockport this winter to celebrate the center’s long legacy.
🌿 Similk Bay Estuary Gets $4.2M Grant
Photo: Kin Kou
On 9/16, the Skagit River System Cooperative (Swinomish & Sauk-Suiattle Tribes) was awarded $4.2 million by NOAA to restore 17 acres of pocket marsh near La Conner. By removing beach berms and culverts, the project reopens critical tidal flow and juvenile Chinook habitat—benefiting local salmon, herons, shorebirds, and winter waterfowl while reducing road flood risks.
That’s it for this month.
Keep getting outdoors, keep volunteering your time for birds and your community — and as always, bird happily!
Skagit Audubon Society
P.S. New here? Check these out:
Our New Member Guide - who we are, what we do, how you can get involved.
Helpful birding resources - ID Kit and Resources, Accessibility Guide, Guide to Handling Sick/Injured Birds.
