Beaks and Bills

  December 2021

Are You Ready for Winter?

by Joe Meche

by Joe Meche With all things considered, we felt that winter was not far away when we crossed the North Cascades after a birthday weekend in Winthrop. The eastbound trip over the mountains and the first day in the Methow … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2021

October Miscellany

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche Silver Lake Revisited It seems that Silver Lake Park has become an August tradition for us over the last few years. Actually, the appeal of this nearby retreat started 29 years ago in the dead of winter. … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2021

Book Review: What It’s Like To Be a Bird

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing — What Birds Are Doing, and Why by David Allen Sibley Alfred A. Knopf, 2020 203 pages; hardcover; $35.00 We’re all familiar with David Sibley’s excellent field guides, but, in my … Continue reading →

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  September 2021

Birding as a Coping Mechanism

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche In the midst of downtime due to the expected dog days of birding in August, there was ample time to reflect on and deal with a multitude of other details. It’s not surprising when you consider the … Continue reading →

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  August 2021

A Keystone Fourth

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche Before we get too far along, I should say that summer is my least favorite season and the Fourth of July/Independence Day is my least favorite holiday. If I felt that everyone was thinking about the significance … Continue reading →

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  July 2021

Pearrygin Lake 2021

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche   Washington Pass on State Highway 20 was opened for cross-state travel in mid-May, triggering our traditional itch to spend a few days on the drier and typically warmer side of the Cascades. On a nice west … Continue reading →

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  June 2021

Coastal Sojourn

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche It seems that every year when the calendar flips from mid- to late-April, I start thinking about shorebirds. It’s not mere coincidence, however, since it’s the prime time of year for the northbound migration of millions of … Continue reading →

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  May 2021

Caspian Terns in Bellingham

by Joe Meche

In 2009, Caspian terns starting nesting on the former Georgia-Pacific property now called the Waterfront District. Approximately 250 birds produced about 100 chicks. The next year, between 2,500 and 3,000 birds produced over 1,000 young terns. The Port of Bellingham … Continue reading →

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  May 2021

Spring Into Summer

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche As we transitioned from winter into spring, the seasons and the birds around us changed accordingly. Cherry blossoms greeted us in just about every part of town, along with scattered greenery here and there. Rain was still … Continue reading →

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  April 2021

Fidalgo Island

Whatcom Watch

by Joe Meche While it’s a noticeably different part of Skagit County and separated from the mainland by the Swinomish Channel on the east and Deception Pass on the south, this unique island offers a wealth of recreational opportunities; and … Continue reading →

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