Beaks and Bills

  June 2018

An Eastside Retrospective

by Joe Meche

As winter has finally loosened its grip we are currently making preparations for another departure to signal the beginning of our own camping season. After last month’s look back over the past sixteen years of Beaks and Bills, I’ve been … Continue reading →

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  May 2018

In Retrospect: From 2002 to 2018

by Joe Meche

Editor’s Note: Joe’s first article appeared in the April 2002 issue of Whatcom Watch. It was so successful editor Sally Hewitt asked Joe if he was intersted in writing a monthly column. He accepted the offer and the first Beaks … Continue reading →

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  April 2018

Seasonal Transition

by Joe Meche

As you’re reading this column, the first day of spring is behind us and the profusion of greenery is everywhere. We’re also seeing and hearing the transitional phases of our migratory birds. The birds that have spent the winter with … Continue reading →

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  March 2018

Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival  

by Joe Meche

Blaine/Birch Bay/Semiahmoo,  March 16-18 The Wings Over Water birding festival celebrates its 16th anniversary this year and, if the popularity of recent festivals continues, it could become a permanent fixture for Whatcom County birders of every level. The festival originated … Continue reading →

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  March 2018

The Best Early Spring Birding

by Joe Meche

From my own experience, I have a select list of places I’ve been where the birding was, and hopefully still is, spectacular. The short list ranges from the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on Sanibel Island in Florida to … Continue reading →

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  February 2018

Owls in Whatcom County

by Joe Meche

Whenever I think of birds and I’m pinned down to decide which of these remarkable creatures are the most fascinating, I always lean toward owls. I know from personal experience that I don’t just look at an owl and walk … Continue reading →

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  January 2018

Three for the Winter Road

by Joe Meche

Fellow watchers often ask me to provide a list of my favorite places to see birds in winter, without having to spend half the day getting there! That’s easy to do because I go to the same three places throughout … Continue reading →

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  December 2017

Winter Birding

by Joe Meche

After what seemed like an abrupt transition from fall to winter, we suddenly find ourselves facing a few months of birding wearing multiple layers. Migratory birds have either passed through on the way to warmer climes or flown in to … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2017

Shorebirds

by Joe Meche

One of the most frequently asked questions I’ve heard from people who discover that I’m interested in birds is, “what’s your favorite bird?” Most of the birders I know have favorites or can at least narrow it down to a … Continue reading →

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  September 2017

Late Summer Birding

by Joe Meche

I’ve written before about the dog days of birding and this summer has proven beyond a doubt that they exist. These are the times that try a birder’s soul because birds are painfully scarce in most habitats, and finding them … Continue reading →

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