A number of WhatsApp groups organized around birding have popped up in Washington State. Some are general birding discussions, while others are narrowly and strictly focused on rare bird sightings. Some are statewide, while others are town- or county-based.
WhatsApp is a free messaging service that lets users of iPhone and Android smartphones and Mac and Windows PC call and exchange text, photo, audio and video messages with others across the globe, regardless of the recipient’s device.
Typically these birding WhatsApp groups exchange text messages about bird sightings or other issues, occasionally with pictures or audio recordings. The groups focused on rare bird sightings often include geographical coordinates to locate exactly where the bird was seen.
Please take note of whether you are subscribing to a rare bird alert (RBA) group or a more general discussion group. The bird alert groups focus only on the specifics of the sightings, e.g., what was seen, where was it seen, when was it seen, etc.
To join a group, download the WhatsApp app to your iPhone, Android phone or Mac or Windows PC. Set up an account with WhatsApp by giving yourself a name and password.
Then either 1) contact the group administrator at the phone number or email given here about joining the group OR 2) click on the link provided, which will take you to a webpage to join, usually by clicking on a button that says “Join Chat.”
WhatsApp Washington Birding Groups
Open Washington Birders
This is a group dedicated to any bird-related conversation. It is designed to be a tool for the birding community to connect and share knowledge, news, and photos with other birders in the state. To join, contact the administrator, Lin Stern at (503) 213-0666 or lindseysarahstern AT gmail.com
Washington Statewide RBA
This group is dedicated to instant notifications of rare bird sightings across the state of Washington. To join, contact the administrator, Lin Stern at (503) 213-0666 or lindseysarahstern AT gmail.com
Neah Bay Bird Alert
Click on this link to go to the webpage to join:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KGoiQyGGY1lDtrmoK63Hfn
Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties RBA
Click on this link to go to the webpage to join:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/FcXSYF1JxSI9FEEUfEEoBw
Thurston and Mason Counties RBA
Click on this link to go to the webpage to join:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/E05kIYr9gN6KLePqLyz75j
NOTE: Administrators of WhatsApp birding groups elsewhere in Washington State who would like to be listed here should email webmaster AT wos.org