In This Issue
Message From the Board
Welcome Back & Let’s Hear From You!
Welcome to the New Look of The Flyer!
We hope you’ve enjoyed a wonderful summer!
As we kick off the new year, you might notice things look a little different! For the past 9 years, Mary Sinker’s incredible dedication to hand-crafting The Flyer provided our community with a rich archive of our chapter's history. We are grateful for her hard work and the legacy she built. As Mary passes the baton, Kin Kou is stepping in as your new editor.
We are excited to transition The Flyer to a web-friendly format—a move already adopted by neighboring Audubon chapters—to make reading easier on any device and allow you to take action on local conservation issues, or RSVP events with a single click.
How to Read The Flyer
Each issue will arrive directly in your email inbox. You can enjoy reading in whichever way is most comfortable for you:
Read Right in Your Email: Simply scroll down to read the full issue directly inside your email message.
Read Online (With Table of Contents): Click the “Read Online” link at the top of your email to open the issue in your web browser. The web version includes an interactive Table of Contents, allowing you to instantly jump straight to specific hikes, programs, or conservation updates you care about most.
What Else to Look Forward To:
Easy Reading on Any Device: Text and photos automatically adjust to fit your desktop, tablet, or smartphone screen, ensuring comfortable reading wherever you are.
Interactive Convenience: Clear, simple buttons allow you to instantly RSVP for upcoming programs and, field trips, or take action on conservation issues directly as you read.
Easy Article Sharing: Found a specific hike, story, or conservation alert you want to pass along? Each section has its own web link so you can easily share individual articles or the full newsletter with friends and family.
More Community Voices: We are highlighting member photography1, first-person field stories, local habitat updates, and new "Member Spotlight" interviews celebrating the people who make our chapter special.
Help Us Understand Your Needs!
This organization is ultimately about you.
We have other exciting chapter initiatives in the planning stages. To help us better understand our members’ needs, shape our future direction, and hear your initial feedback on this new newsletter format, please take a few minutes to complete our brief, anonymous survey. We will share the results in an upcoming issue!
Urgent Alert: Defend Our National Forests By 9/21
The USDA has officially proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, threatening nearly 2 million acres of unlogged Washington forestlands that safeguard wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreation.
Defend our public lands from clearcutting and industrial roads by submitting your comment before midnight on September 21, 2026.
Read Tim’s note in the Conservation section for complete context and action steps.
Member Spotlight
Meet Sheila - Owl Educator
Sheila started the Discovery Wagon 15 years ago. She now runs a popular owl program at Camano Island State Park in partnership with Skagit Audubon.
Your “spark bird” (or spark moment)?
“Definitely the owls. About 7–8 years ago I started bringing SAS’s bird mounts down to Cama Beach. Parents and kids lit up with questions, especially about the owls. That curiosity pulled me in — and I’ve never looked back.”
Your favorite education moment?
“Watching kids (and adults!) dig into owl pellets for the first time. They get so excited finding tiny skulls and bones — some even want to take their finds home. On August 8th we had over 100 visitors at the display. Pure joy.”
Your most cherished experience with SAS?
“Seeing the partnership grow. What began as an old wagon with bones and skulls has become a 3-table setup: owl mounts, wings, feathers, a mounted rat, and 6 pellet-dissection stations with kits provided by SAS and the Cama Beach Foundation. We’re opening a door to nature for families who often have very little prior knowledge of birds or the environment.”
One thing you want our members to know?
“This program runs mid-June through mid-September and reaches ages 2 to 80+. It’s a multi-generational, often international family affair and an ambassador of goodwill. Your support — and the mounts, pellets, and kits from SAS — keep that magic alive. Come see us at Camano Island State Park!”
Got someone to nominate for Member Highlight?
Field Trip - Andrew Spitznas
Upcoming Trips
All field trips are free and open to the public.
We are always looking for the next trip leader. Don’t worry, mentorship is also free! Let Andrew know if you are interested.
🐦 9/5 Saturday @ 11:30 AM — Fir Island Farms Shorebird Watch
Target Species: Western & Least Sandpipers, Dowitchers, Yellowlegs, Killdeer; possible Black‑bellied & Semipalmated Plovers; chance of Pectoral, Spotted, Semipalmated Sandpipers — maybe even Red Knot or Golden Plovers.
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, accessible dike trail (Birdability rated).
Leader: Paul Anderson
Meeting Spot: T‑junction where the parking‑lot trail meets the dike. Discovery Pass required.
🌲 9/8 Tuesday @ 5:00 PM — Padilla Bay Upland Bird Walk
Target Species: Forest & field birds — songbirds, woodpeckers, raptors.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Lower trail paved; upland trail dirt with uneven ground.
Leader: Jeff Osmundson | Contact: Colleen
Meeting Spot: Padilla Bay Upland Trail (return by 6:30 PM for social hour before the 7:00 PM membership meeting).
🌊 9/16 Wednesday @ 8:30 AM — Port Susan Bay Restoration Walk
Target Species: Southbound migrating shorebirds, estuary birds, waterfowl.
Difficulty: Easy. 1–2 miles on level dike trail.
Leader: Pam Pritzl | Contact: 360‑202‑9694
Meeting Spot: Large parking lot at the end of Boe Road, south of Stanwood.
Hiking - Jane Billinghurst
Upcoming Hikes
All hikes are free and open to the public.
Updates and Alerts: Email [email protected] to join the hiking mailing list for weekly updates and trail/weather condition alerts.
First-Time Hikers: Please sign our required liability release on our website or at the trailhead prior to your first outing.
Trail Rules: Always carry the 10 Essentials. Wilderness groups capped at 12.
Milestones: Track your miles with us to earn official hiking patches starting at 500 miles!
Permits: An asterisk (*) next to the Hike indicates a required parking or access pass.
With the exception of Blue Lake, these are all wilderness hikes:
September 2 – Cutthroat Pass*
7:30 am – 6:00 pm (to/from Sedro-Woolley)
10 miles, 2,000 ft elevation gain · Hard
September 9 – Ptarmigan Ridge*
7:30 am – 6:00 pm (to/from Sedro-Woolley)
9 miles, 1,800 ft elevation gain · Moderate to hard
Backup if foggy: Lake Ann* – 7:30 am – 5:45 pm · 8.2 miles, 2,150 ft · Moderate to hard
September 16 – Maple Pass*
7:30 am – 5:45 pm (to/from Sedro-Woolley)
7.5 miles, 2,000 ft elevation gain · Moderate to hard
September 23 – Hannegan Pass / Peak*
7:30 am – 5:00 pm (pass) / 6:00 pm (peak) (to/from Sedro-Woolley)
Pass: 8.2 miles, 2,000 ft · Peak: 10.4 miles, 3,100 ft · Hard
September 30 – Blue Lake
7:30 am – 4:30 pm (to/from Sedro-Woolley)
4.4 miles, 1,050 ft elevation gain · Moderate
Upcoming Programs - Ann Kramer
“The Super Migrants” by Connie Sidles
Wandering Tattler, a super migrant that flies as much as 7,500 miles twice a year to and from its breeding grounds in the Arctic and its wintering grounds in Oceania.
Regular September monthly meeting
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | Doors open at 6:00 PM (Potluck), Program at 7:00 PM
Location: In-Person Potluck Event at Padilla Bay Interpretive Center (10441 Bayview-Edison Rd., Mt. Vernon). Please bring a treat to celebrate the opening of our new season!
The Topic: Two million flaps — that’s what it takes for a shorebird weighing less than a grape to reach South America. Billions of birds make this arduous journey twice a year. Master birder Connie Sidles breaks down the latest science and miraculous superpowers behind how and why birds navigate these epic migrations across Washington state.
About the Speaker: Connie Sidles is a master birder, author, and instructor for UW Continuum College and Audubon chapters nationwide. A longtime leader at Birds Connect Seattle—where she serves on the Conservation and Publications Committees—and founder of Constancy Press, she has published over 600 articles and four nature books centered on Union Bay Natural Area.
An Interview with Connie
Photo Credit: David Keller
Ahead of her presentation, Ann sat down with Connie to chat:
What inspired your path into environmental advocacy?
Donkey's years ago, I took my degree in Egyptology from the University of Chicago — fascinating, but not lucrative! Today, I channel that energy into building communities that care about the environment, teaching classes nationwide on everything from owls and grebes to avian migration.
Tell us about your favorite "backyard" patch.
Definitely Montlake Fill (aka Union Bay Natural Area on the UW campus). My newest book, Forty-Six Views of Montlake Fill, pairs poems with Sumi-e paintings. It explores how to find deep joy in the connections we make with nature and with each other right in our local "backyard" at the Center for Urban Horticulture.
What "superpowers" will members discover during "The Super Migrants"?
Beyond the staggering physics of beating their wings millions of times, migrating birds possess incredible biological superpowers—from celestial navigation to physiological transformations. We'll explore the miraculous science behind these journeys and why protecting stopover habitats in Washington is so critical to their survival.
Special event co-presented by SAS and partner conservation groups — does not replace our regular October meeting (details in next month's issue).
Date & Time: Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 4-6:45PM
Location: Mount Vernon Library Commons
The Topic: From sloshing through tropical jungles to crunching across Arctic sea ice, ecologist and filmmaker Chris Morgan will share gripping behind-the-scenes stories, stunning photographs, and film clips from over 30 years in the field. Journey across six continents to explore the fascinating world of large carnivores and frontline conservation.
About the Speaker: Chris Morgan is a British-American ecologist, conservationist, TV host (PBS Nature, Nat Geo, BBC), author, and host of the hit podcast THE WILD with Chris Morgan. Co-founder of Wildlife Media (BEARTREK) and Western Wildlife Outreach, he has spent over three decades studying big predators and inspiring people to protect our wild planet.
REGIONAL PARTNER EVENTS
North Cascades Audubon Society’s "Sandpipers' Last Supper” by Pat Baird (9/22 @ Bellingham). Explores how container terminal expansion threatens feeding grounds for Western Sandpipers and Dunlins before their migration to Alaska.
Event open to all. Learn more on NCAS Website.
Conservation - Tim Manns
Protect Our National Forests: Roadless Rule Comment Period Closes On 9/21
The 2001 Roadless Rule protects roughly 58 million acres of unlogged U.S. Forest Service lands—including nearly 2 million acres in Washington state—from clearcutting and industrial road building. These public lands provide essential habitat for birds and wildlife, protect clean drinking water, and offer world-class recreational opportunities for millions of people.
Current Update: On August 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as expected, published a proposed rule and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The legally required 30-day public comment period is now open.
How It Affects You: Use the Explore Roadless Areas map to check if your favorite hiking areas are protected from road building, logging, and mining by the Roadless Rule:
Select Washington State on the left panel of the map.
Click on the 3 horizontal bars in the upper right.
Select “Alt. 1 – No Action (Current)”.
How to Take Action (Deadline: 8:59PM PST on Sept 21, 2026)
Substantive comments that share personal experiences and local concerns have the greatest impact. Submit your feedback using one of two methods:
Option 1: Guided Submission Helper — Build a personalized statement using prefilled sections, locale-specific details, and writing prompts for your own stories. Submit directly at the final step, or copy your text to submit on Regulations.gov.
Option 2: Direct via Regulations.gov — Visit Regulations.gov and click the blue “Comment” button under “Posted by the Forest Service”.
Writing Guidance: Review the official Public Comment Tips by Regulations.gov to help craft your message.
Resources & Comment Tracking:
Official Documents: Read the proposed revised rule removing roadless area protections, and the associated environmental impact statement on Regulations.gov.
Policy Resources: Visit Defend the Roadless Rule - Protect America's Last Wild Forests for comprehensive policy updates.
Live Analytics: View real-time comment counts and reporting at Comment Analysis.
Protect Bittern Habitat at NSRA
Photo credit: Ann Kramer
Thanks to your strong outreach, the Skagit County Commissioners know how deeply our community values Northern State Recreation Area (NSRA). However, Sedro-Woolley appears to be moving forward with the county planning department to request permits to build four baseball diamonds at Helmick field—a project that threatens wildlife habitat and peaceful park access.
If you haven’t done so already, please contact the Commissioners again to reinforce why Helmick field must remain a natural open space.
Key Points to Share in Your Message:
Protect Rare Habitat: Helmick field and the adjacent wetland together comprise the premier regional habitat for the declining American Bittern. Wildlife cannot simply move elsewhere.
Preserve Accessible Paths: The dike trail along the field is NSRA's most accessible route for a quiet walk in nature.
Keep Sports Local: Ballfields should be built within Sedro-Woolley where kids can safely walk or bike to them, rather than converting a shared county park.
Prevent Unnecessary Costs: A multi-field sports complex would alter the park's peaceful atmosphere and strain the county budget.
Take Action Today:
Email Commissioners Ron Wesen, Peter Browning, and Joe Burns at [email protected] (or call 360-416-1300) to urge them to keep Northern State Recreation Area intact for people and wildlife.
Support "Lights Out" During Fall Migration
Millions of birds travel through Washington at night during the fall migration season. Reduce dangerous building collisions and help them journey safely by taking these key steps:
Take the Pledge: Commit to going "Lights Out" during migration season to protect local night-flyers.
Use Light Only When Necessary: Ensure all exterior lighting serves a clear purpose, turning off non-essential lights to minimize impacts on wildlife.
Target Your Lighting: Install shielding on fixtures to direct beams strictly where needed rather than letting light scatter into the sky.
Spread the Word: Encourage neighbors and friends to join in, and share the campaign online using #LightsOutWashington.
Visit Cornell Lab for more tips on how to protect our migratory friends.
Education - Colleen Shannon
Outreach & Community Science
We had a relatively busy summer:
Our volunteers offered presentations for a variety of organizations.
We participated in the summer camp program for the Anacortes Community Forest Lands.
With our partner, The Salish Sea School, we participated in Purple Martin Surveys and Tufted Puffin tours.
As fall approaches we will be in elementary classrooms. We will also continue to assist with The Salish Sea Schools monthly bird walks.
If you are interested in helping with education please let me know. I will put you on a list and send an email when we have opportunities. Fall usually starts slow, but by January we are usually very busy with tabling events.
Join "Big Sit" to Raise Scholarship Funds!
Photo by Jeff Osmundson
A one‑day birding surge for Skagit Audubon scholarships.
On Sat., Oct. 10 (8 am–4 pm), Colleen will be stationed at Rosario Head all day — and you can jump in for a 2‑hour shift or just drop by. It’s lively, social, and honestly feels like a birding block party.
Why it matters
Every species counted fuels our Environmental Conservation Scholarships at Skagit Valley College. Last year, generous member pledges helped us award three $1,500 scholarships — and we’re aiming even higher this year: 3 $2000 scholarships. I know we can do this together!
How it works
Teams rotate through an 8‑hour window, identifying every bird visible from one spot. You can also run your own Big Sit from anywhere — your yard, a park, a wildlife area. Every bird counts. Every pledge counts even more. Members pledge $1 or more per species seen by the team!
Why you should join
It’s fun. It’s easy. And it directly funds the next generation of conservation leaders.
Get involved
Volunteering Highlights
Actionable ways to give back your voice, time, and skills to local environmental stewardship.
Help Keep Skagit Audubon Vital: Volunteer Today!
Skagit Audubon is powered entirely by members like you. Whether you can give a few hours a month or step into a leadership role, your time directly supports local bird conservation, education, and community programs.
We welcome all skill levels and offer plenty of support—no prior experience required!
Urgent Leadership & Board Roles
Help guide our chapter in the new year. We are currently seeking members for:
President: Set agendas and lead 10 friendly meetings a year (with support from experienced board members).
Secretary: Take light meeting notes during monthly board meetings.
At-Large Board Members: Share your ideas, attend board meetings, and assist with committees of interest.
Flexible General Opportunities
Looking for a lighter or more occasional commitment? We always need help with:
Field Trips & Hikes: Lead or co-lead local outings.
Education & Community: Help with school programs or staff our table at local festivals and events.
Behind the Scenes: Assist with event planning, data entry, or member outreach.
Whether you can help weekly, monthly, or for a single event, every bit of time makes a difference.
(Your information is used solely by Skagit Audubon to connect you with volunteer opportunities and is never shared or sold.)
Puget Sound Seabird Monitoring
Photo: Long-tailed Duck by John Strung
The Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) seeks volunteers for its community science program. Volunteers conduct 7 monthly surveys at coastal sites from October to April, with training provided. Birders of all experience levels are welcome.
Now in its 18th season, PSSS provides crucial data on wintering seabirds in the Salish Sea, aiding research and conservation. Recent findings show declines in scoters, grebes, and Long-tailed Ducks. Your participation is vital, especially as wildlife monitoring faces cuts.
Join to contribute to science, collaborate with birders, and support partnerships with organizations like the University of Washington and Birds Canada.
More About Birds
Birder’s Digest
The latest on where and how to see birds in Skagit County, plus other interesting bird-related news.
Track the Skies: Peak Fall Migration Approaches Skagit County
by Kin Kou
Fall migration is officially arriving! According to BirdCast radar data, Skagit County’s peak fall migration window runs from September 9 through October 3. During these key weeks, hundreds of thousands of birds will pass overhead during their night flights.
You can use BirdCast’s free suite of tools to track incoming waves of migrants right over our home turf:
Mount Vernon Live Dashboard: See real-time radar predictions and estimated bird counts moving over Skagit County each night on the Mount Vernon BirdCast Dashboard. Instructions on using it can be found here.
Local Migration Alerts: Sign up for BirdCast Migration Alerts to receive text or email notifications when high-intensity flight nights are forecast over our region (the closest city in the list is Seattle). A great reminder to turn off unneeded outdoor lighting during peak nights!
Peak Migration Tables: Planning a regional birding trip? Look up historical peak spring and fall dates for any county in the U.S. using the BirdCast Peak Migration Tool.
For those who are curious, you can see the technology behind this at Cornell Lab.
Best Time to Watch Shorebirds
by Mary Sinker
Photo: Least Sandpiper by Joe Halton
Where: Channel Drive in La Conner, Wiley Slough and Fir Island Farm Reserve (Hayton)
When: Tide is everything for shorebirds. Follow these tips:
When the tide is very low, shorebirds will either be far out of view or gone completely until the next incoming tide.
When the tide is high, their feeding grounds are flooded so they are either roosting nearby or have left the area until the tide recedes.
Generally 1-3 hours before and after high tide should bring the birds closer to shore, depending upon how fast the tide comes in and goes out.
Bonus: Download this shorebird pocket guide from Cornell Labs to help you ID better.
Birding Improves Health: What the Science (and Birders) Tell Us
by Kin Kou
More and more research is showing what many of us have felt for years: birding is genuinely good for your health.
Sharper Minds & Healthier Brains
Neuroscience studies highlighted in New Scientist show that birdwatching can strengthen brain regions tied to memory and attention, helping build a buffer against age‑related cognitive decline. Audubon Magazine reports similar findings—birding activates neuroplasticity, reshaping how we perceive and remember the world around us. And ScienceAlert notes that experienced birders show slower decline in brain‑tissue complexity as they age.
Stress Relief, Calm, and Emotional Well‑Being
Birding is also a powerful mood stabilizer. All About Birds summarizes research showing that birdsong and nature attention can reduce anxiety and interrupt stress cycles. Psychologists writing in Psychology Today describe birding as a gentle, grounding practice that supports mindfulness and emotional healing during difficult chapters of life.
For many people, this is personal: cancer survivors have shared how watching birds brought steadiness, hope, and daily joy during treatment—whether spotting cranes on the Gulf Coast or finding comfort in a pair of cardinals at a backyard feeder.
Connection, Purpose & Community
Birding gives us a reason to step outside, pay attention, and share discoveries with others. As Birdability reminds us, birding doesn’t have to look a certain way—it can be done from a trail, a porch, or even a window, making it accessible for birders of all ages and abilities.
The takeaway: Across neuroscience, psychology, preventive medicine, and lived experience, the message is consistent: Birding improves health. It sharpens the mind, calms the nervous system, supports emotional healing, and strengthens our connection to nature and community. Whether through a morning walk, a feeder outside your window, or a shared moment on an Audubon outing, birds offer a pathway to well‑being that is both scientifically grounded and deeply human.
Bird Sightings are Taking Flight!
by Ann Skinner
Dear Skagit Audubon Members and Bird Sightings contributors:
After many years of publishing a monthly bird sightings list, due to the numerous bird sighting apps and services that provide real time birding info, we’ll be discontinuing the monthly sightings list from the newsletter and website.
However, don’t you worry! You may still send your birding questions and rare bird sightings to us using our online form! Additionally, we will continue to provide a webpage with current Skagit County E-Bird sightings list for quick reference. Thanks for all of the great sightings!
Happy Birding!
That’s it for this month.
Thanks for reading so far. Do let us know your reading experience by completing our survey.
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.
Wildlife Help Desk & Resource Directory - Save this quick-reference guide for reporting bird sightings or assisting wildlife in need across our region!
1 Cover Image courtesy of Ann Kramer, Program Chair.