Monthly Programs
Next General Meeting Program: Thursday, March 12, 2026 hybrid in person at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island and online via Zoom
Our monthly programs feature a guest speaker presenting a subject of interest to those who love birds. We have nine programs a year, with no program in July, August and December, on the second Thursday of the month, and they are free and open to the public. Drop by and enjoy the company as we all learn something new from our featured guest. See our Calendar or Events List for upcoming programs.
Banner photo by Jann Ledbetter
Tufted Puffin
in a Dynamic Seascape
with Dr. Scott Pearson
7:00 PM, March 12th, 2026 via Zoom and in person at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island,
20103 State Route 525, Freeland, Washington
The Tufted Puffin is an iconic seabird that nests on offshore islands along Washington’s outer coast and on two islands in the Salish Sea. Recent analyses suggest that the puffin is declining from the Gulf of Alaska south to California, with more dramatic declines at the southern end of its breeding range. Scott will describe the species’ natural history and provide information on its status in Washington and beyond and on research and conservation efforts to benefit the species locally.
This meeting will be held both on Zoom (link emailed upon registration) and in person at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island, Freeland, WA.
Dr. Scott Pearson is a senior research scientist at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington and his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Michigan. His research is focused on assessing wildlife population status and trends and the underlying mechanisms driving declines to help inform conservation management. His current work is focused on gaining a better understanding of marine bird and mammal diets, habitat use and quality, and the effectiveness of conservation efforts with a focus on several species of conservation concern. Scott also supervises the west-side research team for the Wildlife Program.
Registration not necessary to attend in-person.
It Takes Two:
An introduction to Bird Duets
with Montserrat Alvarado
Meeting recorded on February 12th, 2026
Why do some birds sing together? In many tropical species, pairs coordinate their voices in remarkably precise duets—but how do these songs work, and what are they for?
This talk introduces the fascinating world of bird duets, using tropical species and sound examples to explore when duets occur, who participates, and the different forms they can take. The presentation will also offer a gentle introduction to bioacoustics, showing how recordings and spectrograms help researchers study bird communication.
Whether you’re curious about why two birds can sound like one, or how researchers study songs, this talk offers an accessible look into one of the most intriguing aspects of avian life.
Montserrat Alvarado-Deckwart is a biologist from Costa Rica, specializing in ornithology and vocal communication in birds. She is currently completing a master’s degree with a focus on bioacoustics and animal behavior, studying how birds use song and duets to communicate with mates and neighbors, using the White-eared Ground-Sparrow (Melozone leucotis) as a model species in tropical environments. Her research combines fieldwork and bioacoustics to explore how listening closely to birds can reveal information about behavior, relationships and territory. Montserrat works extensively with field recordings and acoustic analyses and enjoys sharing her research with birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, connecting scientific research and everyday observation of birds.
Virtually all paleontologists now agree that birds evolved from dinosaurs, and even more strikingly, they also even go so far as to argue that birds are, in fact, living dinosaurs. The flood of new data coming from newly discovered fossil beds — primarily from China and eastern Europe — has only solidified that position. Come learn about the structural and behavioral similarities between birds and the more “classic” dinosaurs they evolved from. We guarantee that you will not only be surprised as to how dinosaur-like birds are, but also how very bird-like dinosaurs were. You will never think about T. rex in the same way again!
Dinosaurs Amongst Us
with Kim Adelson, PhD
Meeting recorded on January 8th, 2026
Kim Adelson was a professor of psychology for almost 30 years; she has won teaching awards at 3 different universities. Before she switched fields to focus on behavioral and intellectual evolution, she earned a master’s degree in evolutionary biology. Paleontology has been one of her avocations since she was a child who wandered the halls of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. She is an avid birder and is the vice president and education chair of the South Sound Bird Alliance (formerly the Black Hills Audubon Society); she is also the Southwest Region representative to Audubon Washington.
