Blue Mountain Audubon-Walla Walla, WA, Walla Walla, WA (2026)

02/11/2026

Attention!
This BMAS page will be deactivated soon.
To stay in touch with BMAS, please follow us on the "Friends of Blue Mountain Audubon Society" page (shown in the photo below). All information about field trips, community programs & projects, & bird walks are posted there.
Plus, that's where you can post your favorite Walla Walla County bird or wildlife photos.
So join us on the "Friends" page. Thank you!

01/31/2026

On January 29th, Bruce, Kay, Sue and Nancy spent the evening at Davis Elementary representing BMAS at Whitman College's Science Night. Parents and kids came to participate in a variety of activities hosted by local science-related groups. Bruce taught kids about eggs--how the different elements of the egg work, Kay and Sue helped kids play egg-bird identification games while Nancy talked about the variety of eggs in the bird world and how a nest is constructed. It was an "egg-citing" evening for all!

01/25/2026

BMAS Field Trip

"INSIDE & OUT: A LOOK AT THE WHITMAN COLLEGE CAMPUS"

Sunday, February 15
8-11 a.m.
Meet in the parking lot at Harper Joy Theatre on the Whitman College campus at 8 a.m.

The morning will begin with a walk through the Whitman College campus looking for birds, & exploring the natural & man-made beauty of campus while learning a bit about the history of the college. The walk will be led by Nancy Mitchell, who spent 36 years working at Whitman College in Alumni Relations.

After our stroll, we will turn our sights to the Hall of Science where we will meet Ben Vernasco, Research Scientist
& Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology. Ben has arranged for us to hear presentations by senior biology majors who will share about their Senior Thesis research, including topics such as Icelandic bird monitoring, & bioacoustics monitoring occuring in the Blue Mountains.

Lastly, we also have the opportunity to view bird specimens that are used for museum research purposes.

Anyone interested in having a cup of coffee or lunch afterward will walk to Cleveland Commons which is open to the community.

Questions? Contact Nancy Mitchell at [email protected]

01/22/2026

BMAS Membership Meeting

"Badgers in Washington.
What Is Known & Not Known, & Why It Matters."
Presented by Glen Mendel

Thursday, February 19
7 p.m.
Olin Hall, Room 129, on the Whitman College campus
Meetings are free, & open to the public.

For a map of the Whitman College campus, click here: https://www.whitman.edu/campus-map

Badgers are managed as a minor furbearer in Washington. However, they also benefit other
wildlife (including burrowing owls), & the environment. Glen has been collecting &
compiling all available reports, & other data, about badgers in Washington for the past two
years. This effort regarding badgers partly stems from the compilation of information about
burrowing owls that Glen completed in 2023. Come learn about what is known, & what information is missing for this often ignored & underappreciated species, & why that matters for other wildlife & the environment.

Glen Mendel (MS) retired as a fish & wildlife biologist after more than 30 years with the
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). He was a habitat biologist for a few years in Southwestern Washington, but most of his career was spent as a fish biologist in the Columbia Plateau & Blue Mountains in Southeastern Washington. Prior to his time with WDFW he worked as a project biologist on several salmon & steelhead monitoring or research efforts, primarily along the Snake River
& tributaries. Shortly after graduating from college, he did a project conducting literature reviews & developed a draft Habitat Suitability Index model for the US Fish & Wildlife
Service for many of the wildlife species in the Columbia Plateau. He obtained multiple degrees
from the University of Idaho.

Glen has a strong personal interest in maintaining shrub-steppe & grasslands. Since retiring, he has gathered & compiled the literature & other available information regarding the status & trends of burrowing owls in Washington, & successfully led the effort to petition WDFW to consider listing that species as threatened. WDFW is conducting that species status review now. His most recent efforts have been to gather & compile available information regarding the status, trends, & management of badgers in WA, to promote changes in management to emphasize
their importance to maintain ecosystems, as well as biodiversity.

12/31/2025

I'd like to thank those of you who've generously given a gift to Blue Mountain Audubon Society by donating through the Valley Giving Guide during December.
For those still considering it, today (Dec. 31) is the last day that you can give a gift on the VGG website.

BMAS is an all-volunteer organization, so every dollar donated goes toward our projects for the community.
Each donation also receives a "Boost" through the VGG Bonus Pool at the end of the campaign, which maximizes the impact of your donation.

To donate through the Valley Giving Guide, please use this link:

https://www.valleygivingguide.org/organizations/blue-mountain-audubon-society

BMAS provides the opportunity to observe the natural beauty of our region through nature walks, free public lectures, classroom instruction, & college scholarships.
Thank you for considering a gift to help BMAS continue our missions to protect & preserve birds, help people enjoy the natural environment, & inspire the next generation of conservationists.

With gratitude,

Michelle Dressler
BMAS Board Secretary & Facebook Administrator

12/24/2025

Please consider a gift to the Blue Mountain Audubon Society by donating through the Valley Giving Guide.

Through December 31, you can give a gift, join BMAS, or renew your annual membership on the VGG website.

To donate through the Valley Giving Guide, please use this link:

https://www.valleygivingguide.org/organizations/blue-mountain-audubon-society

Why donate to BMAS?

BMAS provides the opportunity to observe the natural beauty of our region through nature walks, free public lectures, classroom instruction, & college scholarships.

What else do we do?

•BMAS has helped reduce bird collisions at the WWCC Water & Environmental Center by applying crash-deterrent window film, saving at least 100 birds annually.
•We began a survey of migratory birds along the Walla Walla River using acoustic monitoring techniques, in cooperation with the McNary National Wildlife Refuge.
•More than 500 school children participated in Audubon field trips. Another 900 elementary students were engaged with activities at Whitman Science Nights, making pine cone feeders, & studying eggs.
•We improved the trails at Fort Walla Walla Natural Area, & installed interpretive signs there.
•Our members maintain bluebird houses in the Blue Mountains foothills.
•We are responsible for litter removal along Highway 12 north of Whitman Mission.

Please help BMAS inspire the next generation of conservationists!

*content written by Bruce Barga, BMAS board president.

12/18/2025

BMAS Field Trip

"Exploring Snake River birding spots."
Led by Mike Denny

Saturday, January 24
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The January BMAS field trip will be an explorer’s delight as we visit the Snake River from Fishhook Park downriver to Charbonneau Park, & Ice Harbor Dam to Hood Park.
Birds we might see include Snow Geese, Common or Hooded Mergansers, Short-billed Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Cedar Waxwings, Bald Eagles, White-crowned Sparrows, & Lesser Goldfinches.
We will be driving in a caravan to the destinations, so plan to carpool, or drive your own vehicle. Dress warmly & wear good boots, plus take your camera & binoculars. Also, bring a lunch & possibly a hot drink.
Come out & enjoy a chance to do some fun winter birding.
Meet at 8 a.m. in the Harper Joy Theater parking lot. We plan to be back by 3:30 p.m.

Any questions, e-mail Mike Denny at [email protected]

*photos by Mike Denny
*information provided by Nancy Mitchell, BMAS program chair.

12/17/2025

"Reading and Sharing"
BMAS Membership Meeting

Thursday, January 15, 2026
7 p.m.
Olin Hall, Room 129, on the Whitman College campus.
Meetings are free, & open to the public.

For a map of the Whitman College campus, click here: https://www.whitman.edu/campus-map

Reading, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is “the activity or skill of looking at & comprehending the meaning of written or printed matter by interpreting the characters of symbols of which it is composed”. One of the definitions of to share is to “give a portion of (something) to another or others”.
Do you think birdwatchers read more than the average? According to AI, birdwatchers are “often described as well-read”. Think about how birdwatching increases your reading: through “field guide & identifying birds”; “learning & gaining knowledge” about the world of birds through reading & research; “intellectual engagement” as “the hobby sharpens observation & memory skills”; & “building community” when gathering & sharing ideas with like-minded individuals.
At our January meeting, you will have the opportunity to share about a book you’ve read relating to birds, nature, conservation, & what you gained from the experience & why you think it's a good read. Attendees are not required to share, & we welcome those who want to sit & listen. The list of books shared will be compiled & recorded in the February 2026 issue of The Magpiper.
Get ready, get set, READ!

*photo provided & information written by Nancy Mitchell, BMAS program chair.

12/16/2025

The board members of the Blue Mountain Audubon Society are so grateful for the support from Walla Walla, Milton-Freewater, & the surrounding communities.

Now through December 31, you have the opportunity to donate to BMAS through the Valley Giving Guide. It's also an excellent way to join BMAS, or renew your annual membership.

To donate through Valley Giving Guide, please use this link:

https://www.valleygivingguide.org/organizations/blue-mountain-audubon-society

Why donate to BMAS?

BMAS provides the opportunity to observe the natural beauty of our region through nature walks, free public lectures, classroom instruction, & college scholarships.

What else do we do?

•BMAS has helped reduce bird collisions at the WWCC Water & Environmental Center by applying crash-deterrent window film, saving at least 100 birds annually.

•We began a survey of migratory birds along the Walla Walla River using acoustic monitoring techniques, in cooperation with the McNary National Wildlife Refuge.

•More than 500 school children participated in Audubon field trips. Another 900 elementary students were engaged with activities at Whitman Science Nights, making pine cone feeders, & studying eggs.

•We improved the trails at Fort Walla Walla Natural Area, & installed interpretive signs there.

•Our members maintain bluebird houses in the Blue Mountains foothills.

•We are responsible for litter removal along Highway 12 north of Whitman Mission.

Please help BMAS inspire the next generation of conservationists!

*content written by Bruce Barga, BMAS board president.

12/07/2025

With this month's hustle & bustle, there is no official Blue Mountain Audubon Society field trip. However! There are still lots of birds to see, even if the weather is dreary.

Here are suggestions for going on your own field trip.

•Head out to McNary National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters in Burbank & enjoy thousands (yes, thousands!) of Snow Geese. It’s always a thrill to watch & listen to them filling the air with their calls as these giant flocks fly in or take off from the water. You could also see many other waterfowl including Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Greater White-fronted Geese, Northern Pintails, Mallards, Tundra Swans, Pied-billed Grebes, & Buffleheads.

•When the fog rolls in & you need an escape, head up either Lewis Peak Road or Jasper Mountain Road. Both are usually clear & offer fun birding.
To get to Lewis Peak, take Lewis Peak Road at the top of the hill out of Dixie & then stay right at the first Y.
For Jasper Mountain, turn right onto McCown Road, about 5 miles past Dixie. Take a right at the top of the big hill & you’re on your way.
Both roads are gravel but are in good shape.
Keep your eyes peeled for Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows, Northern Flickers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Red-tailed Hawks, Varied Thrushes, Red Crossbills, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Northern Harriers, Spotted Towhees, & Pine Siskins.

*information provided by Sue Parrish, BMAS field trips coordinator.

12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday!
The board members of the Blue Mountain Audubon Society are so grateful for the support from the Walla Walla community.
Through December 31, you have the opportunity to donate to BMAS through the Valley Giving Guide. It's also an excellent way to join BMAS, or renew your annual membership.
To donate through the Valley Giving Guide, please use this link:

https://www.valleygivingguide.org/organizations/blue-mountain-audubon-society

Why donate to BMAS?
BMAS provides the opportunity to observe the natural beauty of our region through nature walks, free public lectures, classroom instruction, & college scholarships.

What else do we do?
•BMAS has helped reduce bird collisions at the WWCC Water & Environmental Center by applying crash-deterrent window film, saving at least 100 birds annually.
•We began a survey of migratory birds along the Walla Walla River using acoustic monitoring techniques, in cooperation with the McNary National Wildlife Refuge.
•More than 500 school children participated in Audubon field trips. Another 900 elementary students were engaged with activities at Whitman Science Nights, making pine cone feeders, & studying eggs.
•We improved the trails at Fort Walla Walla Natural Area, & installed interpretive signs there.
•Our members maintain bluebird houses in the Blue Mountains foothills.
•We are responsible for litter removal along Highway 12 north of Whitman Mission.

Please help BMAS inspire the next generation of conservationists!

*content written by Bruce Barga, BMAS board president.

11/03/2025

🦃Turkey Trot🦃
Blue Mountain Audubon Society Field Trip

Saturday
November 22
8 a.m.
Harper Joy Theater Parking Lot

Tom Scribner will lead the annual Turkey Trot field trip on November 22 . Besides finding gobs of gobblers on the half-day back country route, we’re sure to see many other bird species, as well as gorgeous fall colors on the hillsides of the Blue Mountains. You’ll find new birding routes, as well as some new friends.

Meet at 8 a.m. at the Whitman Harper Joy Theater parking lot. The trip is scheduled to return by noon. Plan to carpool, or drive your own vehicle.
Bring binoculars, cameras, snacks, & a sense of adventure.

*Information & photo provided by Sue Parrish, BMAS field trip coordinator.

Blue Mountain Audubon-Walla Walla, WA

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