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From the Desk of the President
by Gayle Talbot, President
Spring always brings the Sandhill Crane Festival in Othello, WA. This year’s “Flyways and By-Ways” festival is March 21-23 and is packed full of activities and events for the whole family. Stop by our chapter’s Audubon booth to say hello! For all the details and registration, check out the website: othellosandhilcranefestival.org
Spring also means it is time for high school seniors to get their college scholarship applications filled out and sent in. You may know someone who qualifies, so please pass on this opportunity to them. Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 15th (see insert or centralbasinaudubonsociety.org).
Finally, National Audubon would like us to urge our members of Congress to support and advance conservation priorities that protect and improve the natural places that birds and people need. The new 119th Congress has the opportunity to advance vital conservation efforts. Investing in conservation protects economic benefits to local communities, creates recreation and other outdoor opportunities, and helps birds and other wildlife across the country. Click here to view their recent webinar and tips on becoming involved.
Bird Walks Reminder
by Margaret Heming, Field Trips Chair
Just a reminder that our first CBAS bird walk of 2025 is coming up soon! On Saturday, April 26th, we will meet at Sun Lakes State Park at 8:30 AM. See the CBAS website or Facebook page for more details in early April.
2025 CBAS Saturday Morning Bird Walks
April 26 Sun Lakes State Park/Dry Falls
May 31 Gettys Cove (south of Vantage)
June 28 Gloyd Seeps, off Road 11 on Stratford Road
July 26 Lind Coulee/Chestnut Orchard
August 23 North Potholes Reserve
September 20 Potholes State Park
For more info, contact Margaret at 509-475-3143.
Grant County Winter Birds 2025
by Margaret Heming, Field Trips Chair
It has been a mild winter here in Grant County, Washington. Birders have enjoyed seeing a nice menagerie of bird species in and around the area. Black-crowned Night Heron, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Peregrine Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan’s), Sora, Loggerhead Shrike, Red Crossbill, Lesser Goldfinch, Anna’s Hummingbird, Long-tailed Duck, Pacific Loon, American Dipper, Sandhill Crane, Great-tailed Grackle, Western Bluebird, Tufted Duck, Fox Sparrow, Wilson’s Warbler, Greater Yellowlegs, Iceland Gull, and Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) are some of the rare birds that have been submitted to e-Bird by birders in Grant County since New Years Day.
What defines a “rare” bird? A species is considered a rare sighting if it is unexpected or unusual for a specific area, or unusual for a specific time of year. A species that is common in summertime could be considered a rare sighting if it shows up at the wrong time of year!
One of my favorite birds this winter is the Belted Kingfisher. We have a pair hanging out at Montlake Park, fishing by the boat launch. I’ve also seen Kingfishers at Rocky Ford Creek and in a big irrigation ditch near our rural home. Stop by Montlake and look up at the light pole above the boat launch, or down on the ground around the launch. One of the Kingfishers is usually there!
Another spectacular bird seen this winter is the Northern Saw-whet Owl that is hanging out in our county. Sorry, the exact location won’t be revealed here. Birders protect the locations of most owls for the owls’ sake. There have also been lovely Trumpeter Swans, thousands of Snow, Cackling, and Canada Geese, Ruddy Ducks, Grebes, Pelicans, Blackbirds, Wigeons, Flickers, Kestrels, Buffleheads, and many others. In fact, 127 species have been submitted to eBird for 2025! It is only February 11 as I write this report! And Matt Yawney has seen 97 of the 127. I’ve only seen 59. I find it fun to keep track!
Perhaps the most magnificent bird out there right now is the Bald Eagle. Cathy Strickland reported 40 Eagles around Blue Heron Park on February 8, and I saw about 25 at Potholes State Park and the reservoir area. Our local photographers are getting great photos of our national bird. Take a look at the CBAS Facebook group to see pictures by Paula Zanter-Stout, Bob Juarez, and others.
Consider creating a free eBird account and submitting the birds you encounter. eBird is worth exploring because it contains so much data: maps of where to go birding, what species others are finding, etc. In conclusion, I recommend you bundle up, head outdoors, and enjoy some of our many feathered friends.
Thank You So Much!
By Margaret Schiffner, Treasurer
CBAS wishes to thank the following dedicated members for renewing their memberships: John Moody, Yuma, AZ; Janet Johnson, Jackie Chase, Robert Kent, Gayle Talbot, Daniel and Johanna Talbot, Moses Lake; Jane Grant, Sandhill Crane Festival Board, Othello; Justin and Naomi Hanvey, Spokane Valley.
Many thanks to those who donated to the Ron Van Nurden Memorial Scholarship program: John Moody, Yuma, AZ; The Blackbaud Giving Fund, Charleston, SC; Sarah Vrandenburg, Akron, OH; Renaissance Charitable, Indianapolis, IN; Richard & Brenda Teals, Moses Lake; Delores Clark, Harbeson, DE; Pamela Hawes, Issaquah, WA; The Give Lively Foundation, New York, NY; Smart Payables, Centennial, CO.
Finally, thanks to Naomi Hanvey and A&H Printers for their work on the newsletter.
Thank You Notes from Scholarship Recipients
Bird Watching!
Photos by Paula Zanter-Stout
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