Bird Column: An Open Door to Wonder and Awe

— by Carol Owens —

Western goldfinches, ready for breakfast!

Favorite hobby? Elegant sport? Elitist science? Maybe all of these, but to most of us, just fun.

We hang birdfeeders, or scatter leftover bread crumbs, put a feeder on the window in the kids’ room, and begin the contract: We will feed you, if you will entertain and educate us.

What better place than Orcas to watch birds? Whether songbirds, raptors, water and shore birds, we have the good fortune to live where Mother Nature keeps us close to her heart. Fascination with these beautiful creatures, who share and adapt to our lives, is rapidly growing: bird counts, nest birdcams, feeder photo contests all attest to this.

When I first moved to Orcas, I had been a casual birdwatcher for years. Soon I began to see birds I hadn’t seen before. Though it’s possible to enjoy beauty without naming it, I wanted to know their proper names, since we were sharing territory. Wasn’t easy!

I googled local Audubon Society web pages, only to discover that I was old school. The website was not active; so at Darvill’s I found bird books, and the library had some informative, but old, San Juan bird books. But I wanted to know what others were seeing, and when to expect to see goldfinches again, when the crossbills and juncoes and pine siskins would appear.

Bobby’s hummingbird,

Have you ever looked out your window, seen a bird behavior which intrigued you? The morning feeder dance, cutting in line, towhees doing the Charleston, goldfinches taking a number, migrants dropping by for a snack and a rest—how can I get any work done? My curiosity built.

Then I found Kim Middleton, a quiet treasure in our midst; she taught me fundamentals about not only species, but their songs. So often I could hear the song, but never see the bird; and her walks and recordings have enriched my mornings. Kim clued me in about San Juan Audubon’s facebook page; but alas, most of the chatter there is about San Juan Island. Few Orcas birders posted any sightings.

The recent Orcas BirdFest happened during spring migration, and while many water birds were still here. Marine trips saw peregrines, harlequin ducks, a golden eagle; those who joined Ruthie, Barbara and Kim on birdwalks saw a whole list of residents and migrants.

Whether you are watching Anna’s and Rufous tanking up, woodpeckers vying for suet access, or eagles floating on the wind, Orcas is a choice spot and our days are enriched by any contact with Nature. What affects Nature comes directly back into our own lives.

Hence the reason for this article.  Would you, dear reader, be interested in sharing what YOU are seeing?  Orcas Issues will consider a regular bird column, if readers are interested in sharing their sightings and photos.  Please feel free to contact me at gorgeoushungarian@gmail.com if you are interested.  Let’s spy on these beauties, and share what we see, find out who’s coming, going or staying.