Pilchuck Audubon Society is a grass-roots environmental organization representing Snohomish County and Camano Island, Washington, whose mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems focusing on birds and other wildlife.
Volunteer Training: Tabling and Outreach Events
Saturday, October 12, 10:30am-noon
Ocean Research College Academy (1205 Craftsman Way #203, Everett, WA 98201)
Join us for an introductory training to tabling and outreach events, including:
How to set up the table at an event
How our tabling activities are run (i.e., crafts and games)
How to accept donations and payments for items we sell
How to submit your volunteer hours
General information about the organization and our programs
Outreach events are a great way for our organization to connect with new people in our communities about birds and conservation. These connections can lead to increased membership, new volunteers, and relationships that allow us to further pursue our mission. Types of events we like to attend include festivals, school science fairs, farmer’s markets, etc.
This training will be helpful for first time volunteers or those looking for a refresher.
Hummingbird Photography
September 12, 2024
In-person meeting
Snohomish PUD Building, 2320 California Street, Everett, WA 98201
Guest Speaker: Soo Baus
Last year, Soo Baus decided to set up a hummingbird haven with a birdbath and water fountain.
Her goal was to photograph the birds with minimal high tech photography gadgets. No remote control with multiple flashlights. Instead, she used natural morning and evening light. Eventually she switched from a solar to an electric-operated water fountain to ensure consistent fountain spray.
Through months of photographing, she has come to believe that anyone with a camera with a zoom function will be able to capture hummers. Her favorite shots include the birds bathing, playing, and drinking at the water fountain, and feasting on different flowers.
Soo will share how she planned her setup, her research on nectar flowers and collecting branches for perches, her photography tricks and tips, and her discovery of creative background compositions from her surroundings.
We hope to see everyone for this in-person presentation!
Join us for a presentation at the Everett Public Library!
October 29 - Are You Ready for Weird Duck Season?
Winter in the PNW can bring some gloomy weather to the area, but it also brings us all those weird and wonderful waterfowl! Nicknamed “Weird Duck Season,” winter in western Washington is a great time to be out birding and looking at all the ducks that spend their winters here. You might be surprised to find how many species we get here and how accessible duck watching can be!
December 5 - Christmas Bird Count: the Nation’s Longest-Running Community Science Project
Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, or CBC for short, began on Christmas Day in 1900 as an alternative to the tradition at the time: a Christmas bird hunt. Instead of shooting them, enthusiasts began trying to count as many birds as possible. Fast forward 124 years later, we have an incredible dataset that scientists use to assess the health and trends of bird populations.
And here’s the best part: you can help us! Participating in the CBC is an excellent way for you to make a real contribution to bird conservation right where you live. Come learn more about the CBC and how you can sign up to help this year!
Larry Schwitters Receives National Audubon’s William Dutcher Award
Last fall, our very own Larry Schwitters was awarded the National Audubon Society's William Dutcher Award at the national convention in Colorado. At our April monthly program we were honored to present the award to him.
The William Dutcher Award recognizes outstanding Audubon volunteers who exemplify the standard established by William Dutcher, the first chairman of the National Association of Audubon Societies in 1905.
Larry coordinates the monitoring of Vaux’s Swift roosts across the Pacific Flyway, an effort known as Vaux’s Happening. His efforts to conserve this species not just locally in Washington, but all along the west coast is truly admirable. We are incredibly grateful for and proud of the work he does, and could not think of a more deserving person for this prestigious award.
Read more about Larry's contributions and the award:
Brian Zinke (left) presents Larry Schwitters (right) with the William Dutcher Award.
Upcoming Classes
Ring-billed Gull by Mick Thompson
Gulls of Washington
Online class: October 17
Optional add-on field trip: October 19
The Raptors Among Us
Online class: November 12, 19, 26 & December 3
Get Involved
Whether you’re volunteering to lead field trips, participating in community science bird surveys, writing content for our blog and newsletter, teaching an education program, or taking a shift at an outreach event, you are a vital part of the Pilchuck Audubon community.
Every person and every contribution matters. Anyone can be a difference maker. Join our flock and help us protect our local birds, their habitats, and our communities.
From the Blog
Upcoming Events
Shop & Earn Donations
For each eligible purchase you make at the companies below, a portion of the sales will be donated to Pilchuck Audubon Society.
Our organization earned a 2022 Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar! Learn more about our organization’s impact through our nonprofit profile.
Cover Photo: Vaux’s Swifts at the Monroe chimney by Olivia Vanni/The Daily Herald