Rainshadow Bird Alliance

Home
United States
Port Townsend, WA
Rainshadow Bird Alliance

We are the Rainshadow Bird Alliance (Audubon) Chapter for East Jefferson County, Washington State

09/03/2026

Ali Kasperzak captured this epic image of Elegant Terns near the Flagler Spit yesterday. The day featured an epic scramble by birders. Dan Waggoner first saw four birds fly past Pt Wilson. Myself and others than picked them up off Pt Hudson. Then Brian Ellis found them on the spit at Flagler. Others joined.

The first in Port Townsend since 1993, we've been expecting them. Their entire world's population nests at just a few sites in southern California and northern Mexico. This year, warm ocean temps confined them to just one colony in San Diego Bay. There they nested successfully, which is not to be taken for granted. Since then, El Niño and record high ocean temps have put their normal northward post-breeding dispersal into overdrive. They've been found in OR, WA, and BC this summer. In a changing world, this species is very vulnerable, but they are also survivors.

- Steve Hampton, Conservation Chair

08/30/2026

I'm honored and excited to share some of our data and pics from our Citizen Science At-Sea Surveys at the Wooden Boat Festival. 30,000 attendees expected -- I hope some are interested in birds and fish!

08/29/2026

Great time at the Big Sit Hangout today at Pt Wilson with new friends old. The highlight was a TUFTED PUFFIN that eventually landed in front of us!

08/26/2026

As many of you may have noticed, we are experiencing some irruptions of mountain birds in our region. Red-breasted Nuthatches, Red Crossbills (Type 4 - Douglas-fir), and Pine Siskins are now present all around Port Townsend and the Salish Sea region. Enjoy! 😊

08/18/2026

Stop by and join us at the tip of Point Wilson, beyond the lighthouse, on the last tip of land between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound at Fort Worden State Park. This is an open house style gathering, meaning you can join or leave at any time. No RSVP necessary. A Discover Pass is required for parking.

We’ll hope for four alcids: Rhinoceros Auklet, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, and Marbled Murrelet, plus some returning loons, grebes, shorebirds, and - with luck - jaegers! If you have a scope, bring it. Trip Leaders are Steve Hampton and Ali Kasperzak.

08/17/2026

Another great essay from Hazel Windstorm. To add to this, there is lots of talk of restoring native grasses at Protection Island, though such restoration is extremely challenging.
- Steve Hampton, Conservation Chair

08/13/2026

The pigeon guillemot, an endearing red-footed seabird, was the recent subject of a Cascadia Daily News report concerning the repair of the breakwater at Ven ...

08/12/2026

More American white pelicans are migrating to Padilla Bay each year, but there’s no evidence of successful nesting — birders ask: is a permanent colony possible? To many in Western Washington, the…

08/11/2026

Hannah, the leader of our Young Birders Group, and I went to Short Farm today to take down and check the 10 bird houses. 8 hosted Tree Swallows (7 of which were likely successful), 1 hosted Violet-green Swallows, and 1 hosted House Wrens. Thanks to Short Farm and the Port of PT for allowing these boxes!

It's a good time to take down and clean out nest boxes before flickers enlarge the holes, making them unsuitable for swallows and chickadees, etc.

We also stumbled upon 3 rare birds at Short Farm: a Red-shouldered Hawk, a Cinnamon Teal, and a Bank Swallow!

- Steve Hampton, Conservation Chair

08/10/2026

They are back!
Pt Wilson, Aug 10

Address

Port Townsend, WA
98368

Website

http://rainshadowbirdalliance.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rainshadow Bird Alliance posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Rainshadow Bird Alliance:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Port Townsend?