Beyond the Binoculars: A Saturday at Point No Point 🌊✨

March Let’s Go Birding Together Group Photo

Yesterday started with a sharp, chilly coastal wind that hit a little differently than the usual non-coastal breeze. But by the time we finished our Let’s Go Birding Together walk, the sun was out, the layers were coming off, and something much warmer had taken hold of the group.

We spotted 38 species, and for me, the highlights were the clouds of Bonaparte’s Gulls dancing overhead, the red-necked grebe close to shore, and the two Sea Lions that popped up just yards from the shore. But honestly? The best sound wasn’t a bird call—it was hearing "Lifer!" shouted across the group as someone saw a species for the very first time or the excitement in someone’s voice at seeing some beautiful bird.

The real magic, though, was the 20+ people walking the shoreline. We had Audubon veterans, young adults, and brand-new birders all sharing the same space. It was a beautiful collision of community leaders, too—from Mike with the Queer Elders Family Group and Marion representing Kitsap Native Plants and the Environmental Coalition, to Joey from the Great Peninsula Conservancy, Colin and myself from Kitsap Audubon.

Walking with this diverse crowd reminded me exactly why I joined Audubon in the first place. Our mission isn’t just about protecting wildlife; it’s about the fierce desire to include one another in that protection, in the learning, and in the exploration. A rare bird is a win, but a shared lifer—and the storytelling that comes with it—is a core memory. And those shared memories only happen when we bird together.

Now, I have a confession and a challenge. I’m busy—too busy sometimes. If I’m left to my own devices, I’ll let the "daily grind" delay the next event for far too long. If yesterday’s mission resonates with you, I’m asking you to hold me accountable.

Email me at webeditor@kitsapaudubon.org and tell me to get the next "Let’s Go Birding Together" event on the calendar. Give me that nudge I need so we can do this again soon. I’m waiting to hear from you! 📬🐦