This program is free and open to the public.

Join us for the general meeting of the Whidbey Audubon Society at 7:00 pm, featuring a program beginning at 7:30, Life on the Rocks, presented by Steve and Martha Ellis.

 Whidbey’s rocky and sandy shorelines attract a variety of specialized shorebirds.  This diverse group ranges from the robust Whimbrel and Black Oystercatcher to the diminutive Black Turnstone and Rock Sandpiper.  Many other birds visit the rocks but only a handful can thrive here.

Each of these species has its own adaptations and behaviors for surviving in this harsh environment.  Much can be learned from the shape of the bill:  Turnstone – flat, pointed and slightly upturned; Oystercatcher – stout, long and straight; Whimbrel – long and downcurved.  They all feed among the rocks, but from different shelves in Nature’s supermarket.

Highlights of the program include courtship and nesting, flight patterns, and population trends.  You’ll learn the best times and locations for viewing these fascinating birds on Whidbey Island.

Our presenters are longtime Coupeville residents Steve and Martha Ellis. Steve is a past president of Whidbey Audubon Society and Martha is a member of the Washington Native Plant Society. Together they have been leading field trips and giving talks on a wide range of natural history topics for more than 30 years.

Join us to discover what it takes to lead a Life on the Rocks.

If you intend to attend remotely, register below to receive a Zoom link.
If you can help set up, bring refreshments or cleanup, contact Prescott.