During the winter months, birds prepare their bodies to combat the cold and retain their body heat. In summer they must expend heat and keep their body temperature at a safe level. Physically, birds can prepare their bodies to combat overheating in a number of ways.
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The Bird Days of Summer is a series of beginner-friendly programs for anyone curious about birds and nature. We combine community-building, exploration, and fun to create safe spaces for people to get to know each other, as well as the birds.
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For decades, Portland Audubon has marked this changing season with weekly Bird Song Walks. We are delighted to share that after a two-year hiatus, we are bringing back these iconic walks in April and May!
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On January 2, 2022, Portland Audubon held our 96th annual (and second “COVID-safe”) Christmas Bird Count. Because of ongoing risks associated with COVID-19, field teams were once again reduced in size, but a hardy group of 215 field observers and 115 feeder watchers managed to tally a respectable 123 species, right smack in the middle of the 10-year average for the Portland count.
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A question that Portland Audubon often gets asked is, “What should I feed the birds?” This is a great question, usually followed with, “What birds are you trying to attract?”
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Whereas the Black Phoebes that were spotted during winters over much of the Willamette Valley for the last decade were assumed to be reverse migrants, over the last few years, many seem to have simply stayed, found a mate, and are now year-round breeding birds at many of our local areas, especially along the Columbia Slough.
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Willamette Valley is home to large numbers of wintering birds, and birders in this area define the season in terms of waterfowl and sparrows, gulls and raptors. Winter birding has a charm of its own and it may be the season many of us value the most – perhaps not for what birds the winter brings, but for what birding brings to winter.
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In October, we wrapped up the thirteenth consecutive Vaux’s Swift monitoring season at Chapman Elementary School and other chimney sites in the Portland metro area. The roost at Chapman is considered one of the most important stopover points on the Pacific Flyway and can host up to 15,000 swifts in a single night!
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This fall, we are delighted to share that a dedicated core group of Outings Volunteers will begin leading outings again, with strict COVID protocols in place that we are confident will keep participants safe while enabling us to enjoy one another’s company together again.
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In consultation with our partners, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Swift Watch for the second year in a row.
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