Our Regional Initiatives
Beyond our local, urban home and service area, Birds Connect Seattle participates in a diverse array of regional initiatives and projects to support birds across the Pacific Flyway and beyond.
Christmas Bird Count
Established in 1900, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the longest running community science survey in North American. Birds Connect Seattle has been coordinating the Seattle count area for over 90 years. This data is compiled by National Audubon and contributes to our understanding of winter bird populations.
Climate Watch
Climate Watch is an innovative community-science program that enlists volunteer birders across North America to count certain target species twice each year. The data collected by volunteer scientists help track whether birds are moving in accordance with projections from Audubon’s climate models.
Northern Spotted Owl Protection
Northern Spotted Owls are in crisis, especially in Washington State. Populations here have declined by 75-80% since the mid-90s. Currently the Northern Spotted Owl is protected under the Endangered Species Act. In 2024, the US Fish & Wildlife Service will finalize a Barred Owl Management Strategy and Environmental Impact Statement for the purpose of protecting the Northern Spotted Owl from further decline.
Read more about Birds Connect Seattle’s position on this strategy.
Martin Miller Fund
The Martin Miller Fund was started in 1987 for the purpose of acquiring habitat to be protected in perpetuity for plants, animals, birds, fish, and their ecosystems.
Puget Sound Seabird Survey
The Puget Sound Seabird Survey gathered valuable data on wintering seabird populations in Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and waters surrounding the San Juan Islands. The data collection portion of this project has been transferred to the Puget Sound Bird Observatory, and Birds Connect Seattle will now focus its resources on on data analysis.
Aerial Insectivores in Decline: What 18 Years of Neighborhood Bird Project Data Reveals
Our skies are changing. New analysis of 18 years of Neighborhood Bird Project data shows aerial insect-eating birds, like swallows and swifts, are declining locally, with some species down more than 90%.
What’s driving the drop, and what can we do to help?
Should We Feed Birds? What the Science Says About the Impacts of Bird Feeding
Feeding birds is one of the most common ways people connect with nature—but is it helping or harming wildlife? Learn what science says and how to feed birds responsibly.
Working Towards an IDEAL CBC 2025 Update
Last year, we embarked on an exciting journey to make the annual Christmas Bird Count, or CBC, more accessible to all birders in our community. This year, we will expand on these changes with additional modifications to keep the momentum going.