WOSNews Issue 202

Winter 2024

Founders reunite at WOS 35th Anniversary Luncheon

3 founders at luncheon2023 was the 35th anniversary of the founding of WOS. Nancy Ashley, wife of WOS’s first president, Fred Bird, suggested a get-together of the founders. Fred and Nancy were joined by Andy Stepniewski and Dennis Paulson along with several modern-day WOS members at Chinook’s on Salmon Bay on October 27, 2023. Other founders either couldn’t be reached or couldn’t attend. Dennis dug out some of the original newsletters and shared reports of early meetings and decisions and the origin of the WOS raven logo. There were some less cheerful observations by Andy, Fred and Dennis about the loss and degradation of habitat over the decades. Note: An earlier version of this item incorrectly reported that Andy, Fred and Dennis had done a big day together in 1986. In fact, that record-breaking Big Day was by Dennis, Jim Erckmann, and Joe Van Os. Read more >>>


 

It’s time to vote on board and officer candidates! 

line drawing of ballot boxWOS members are asked to vote sometime during the period of January 28 through February 10, 2024 on WOS officer and board member candidates, a mix of new and returning volunteers. Dave Kreft is running for a second year as president, new recruit Sophia Krupsha is standing for secretary, and Bob Schmidt is running for a third year as treasurer, among other candidates. For information on the candidates, the election and the voting, go to Read more >>>


 

And now for some social media news! 

By Sophia Krupsha, WOS Newsletter Editor

Instagram and Facebook logosSome new developments on the social media front mean that there are more ways than ever to connect with WOS online. The latest opportunities are a new Instagram account and a new Facebook page. To follow our Instagram account, search for “wosbirding” on Instagram. Our new Facebook page is called Washington Ornithological Society  Former WOS board member Jason Fidorra previously set up a Facebook Groups page devoted to bird-related discussions that is still going called Washington Birding. In addition to these social media sites, WOS has a YouTube Channel where you can see video of monthly meeting presentations; a website with all 500+ pages of our Washington State site guide; and the searchable, browsable archive of all Tweeters messages from 1994 through 2023. Read more >>>


A Word from the WOS President

head shot of Dave KreftWOS President Dave Kreft reports that WOS has a healthy membership, currently at 443 members, and is financially solid. After many months of virtual monthly meetings via Zoom, WOS is planning an in-person WOS meeting for May. The WOS annual confrence will be held in Long Beach April 25-28, 2024 with a full slate of field trips and evening events. Keynote speaker will be well-known photographer Gerrit Vin, who will speak on global shorebirds that nest in the North American arctic. Dave also asks for volunteers for some vacant WOS jobs: hospitality chair (refreshments at monthly in-person meetings), chair of the Patrick Sullivan Young Birders Fund, and the vice-president position. Read more >>>


 

Highly variable weather, great birds in Yakima County last May

By Scott Downes

head shot of Scott Downes

Scott Downes describes a plenteous weekend WOS field trip he led in May of 2023 that roamed the varied habitats of Yakima County through thunderstorms and sunshine. It’s worth it when you spot an active Golden Eagle nest and White-throated Swifts right overhead in the SR 12 corridor, White-headed Woodpecker and Gray Flycatcher in the Wenas, Black-crowned Night Herons in the Toppenish marshes, and an Acorn Woodpecker at Fort Simcoe. The group encountered 126 species for the weekend. Not surprisingly, Scott’s upcoming Yakima County trip for 2024 is already filled. Read more>>>


 

A Fresh(man) perspective on birding in Pullman

By Jacob Miller

Headshot of Jacob Miller

WOS awarded its 2020 Patrick Sullivan Young Birder award to Jacob Miller, who was then a 15-year-old birding whiz from Mason County. Now Jacob is in his freshman year at WSU in Pullman and still an avid birder. It didn’t take him long to find and connect with some birding buddies in Pullman. They’ve amused themselves by helping one of them add one new county bird to his list each weekend — no easy thing considering how many birds that person already had on his Whitman County list. The challenge has helped Jacob as well. “Overall, I would say this has been the most successful fall birding I’ve ever experienced in my life. I added several new state birds to my list, and within a few short months I am at 206 species for Whitman County.” He got some good pictures too and you can see them in the newsletter.  Read more>>>

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