Cowlitz County Bird List - 2026 August Update
- Details
By Russ Koppendrayer
With fall migration well underway we managed to add six species to our Cowlitz County year list during July and August. Five species were migrant shorebirds and the sixth was Eastern Kingbird.
The Sportsman's Club Road access to the Columbia River hosted two species of plover in August; a Black-bellied Plover early in the month and three weeks later a Semipalmated Plover was found there. Both species were one day wonders, but both are recorded nearly every year in Cowlitz.
The ponds at the west end of Longview that once were the city's sewage treatment facility had Long-billed Dowitchers present for a number of days in late July. Then a Baird's Sandpiper put in a one day appearance in mid August at the same location.
A Semipalmated Sandpiper was found on the beach at Austin Point in the Woodland Bottoms in mid July. This species is also nearly annual as a fall migrant in the county.
Four Eastern Kingbirds were in the Woodland Bottoms in early August and tarried until at least the middle of the month. They appeared to be a family unit of two adults and two hatch year birds, likely indicating they had nested somewhere nearby. This is only the third record for this species in Cowlitz County.
There is still a lot of fall migration to happen, so get out there and enjoy the birds passing through our area.
Download the pdf here.
Fall 2026 Willapa Whistler is available
- Details
The Fall 2026 Willapa Whistler is available now.
Read more of its content:
- Audubon SW Washington Regional Meeting
- Gathering On the Wire, Presidents Message
- WHAS in the Columbia River Reader
- Membership Form
- NW Birding Events
- Wahkiakum Wild Bird Fest 2027
- Fun Facts About the Fall Coastal Migration
- Impressions from the WHAS picnic
- Board Notes
Taking Flight: Young Birders United (YBU)
- Details
Only 27 US states have active young birder chapters. Most are located in the western and eastern parts of the country. Young Birders United (YBU), Taking Flight ’s most ambitious project yet, is a three-stage nationwide campaign: (1) create an online, open-access map of active young birder state chapters across the country, (2) launch new chapters in states without groups, and (3) organize an annual meeting of representatives from each chapter to connect, create, and collaborate.
The inaugural Young Birders United Conference (YBUC) will take place on Saturday, August 29th at 8AM - 3PM PT.
The YBUC is a free virtual gathering of young birder representatives to celebrate, connect, and collaborate in the establishment of young birder chapters. There will be three wonderful Keynote Speakers: Mackenzie Hollender, Isaiah Scott, and Lorena Patrício.
The conference will feature presentations from state chapters and workshops on building community and ensuring sustainability. All are invited—young birders with/out chapters, parents of young birders, young birder supporters. There is no limit on the number of young birders that can participate from a single chapter or state.
Registration is due Saturday, August 22nd. All individuals must register to participate. More info here!
Cowlitz County Bird List - 2026 June Update
- Details
By Russ Koppendrayer
We've reached the halfway point in the year here at the end of June, where we added two new species to our list in that month. Instead of my usual remarks about the latest additions, I've decided to reference the species we frequently have recorded by this time, but are missing this year. We have four species that are considered annual in Cowlitz County but not seen as of yet. We obviously do have a full six months left for them to surface.
The first two are shorebirds in the sandpiper family, Lesser Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitcher. Lesser Yellowlegs is typically seen in either spring or fall migration. Shorebird fall migration has already begun and we could see one anytime between now and the end of September, after which they become much less likely. Long-billed Dowitchers on the other hand mostly migrate through, but some do over winter in western Washington so we could see them up to the end of December.
The other two species are both grebes, Red-necked Grebe and Western Grebe. Western Grebe is a wintering species in western Washington that seems to be found in smaller numbers over recent years. Red-necked Grebe we primarily find in late fall passing through along the Columbia River, but they do appear at other more random winter occasions.
Time to keep an eye out for these birds as well as any of the less frequently reported species in he last half of 2026.
Download the pdf here.
Cowlitz County Bird List - 2026 May Update
- Details
By Russ Koppendrayer
Spring migration continued on with new species arriving in spurts throughout the month of May. We found species that move through and some that arrive to nest in large numbers. Nothing really rare for the county list was recorded, but a couple finds were at an unusual time of the year.
A Red-breasted Merganser was found roosting on the sand bar at the end of Sportsman's Club Road at Kalama, a species that primarily prefers to over winter in salt water. We get occasional birds that are found for a short stay in the Columbia River between the last week in October until the first week of April. Our first one this year was found in early May, setting a new late spring date by a month.
The second species seen at an odd time of year was a Pectoral Sandpiper, found at the same end of Sportsman's Club Road location a couple weeks later. We typically only see hatch year birds in the fall in Washington. Adults go south from their extreme northern Alaska and Canada breeding grounds east of the Rocky Mountains. For the return trip in the spring all individuals use the central states pathway. So not only was the timing unusual, but the few who saw the bird got to witness one in breeding plumage here in Cowlitz County.
Download the pdf here.
Summer 2026 Willapa Whistler is available
- Details
The Summer 2026 Willapa Whistler is available now.
Read more of its content:
- WHAS Summer Picnic Invitation
- Audubon SW Washington Regional Meeting
- Membership Form
- NW Birding Events
- Help With an Audubon Field Trip
- 2026 Earthday Recap
- Secretive Bird Survey
- Birds of the 4/26 Fieldtrip to Oysterville West Approach and Leadbetter State Park
- The Forest’s Construction Crew: Woodpeckers
Cowlitz County Bird List - 2026 April Update
- Details
By Russ Koppendrayer
Here at the end of April we are right in the midst of active spring migration with new species showing up nearly every day. The past five to ten years has seen a large jump in the active birders in Cowlitz County who are reporting their findings. This naturally has led to a more robust bird list at this juncture in time.Thanks to all who are involved in some way.
Along with all the expected species there were a number of less expected species found in Cowlitz County in the last half of April. The rarest of these was a third ever county record of Long-billed Curlew that was heard calling as it flew over Barlow Point Road and a little later found on the ground along Industrial Way. Amazingly this bird was joined within minutes by a flock of eleven Whimbrels of which the county has only a handful of records. Unfortunately the views of these spectacular large sandpipers with long decurved bills were not shared as they had left before other birders arrived.
Just as rare for the past eighteen years was a White-tailed Kite, also found at Barlow Point Road and enjoyed by many birders over a few days. Once a resident species and breeder, they are now a rare visitor with many years between appearances. Another great find was a couple Brown Pelicans in the Lewis River at the Woodland Bottoms. Very unusual for this species to be away from salt water in Washington, these two immature birds were found fishing and roosting in the area in mid April and have continued to the present writing in early May.
Here's to more great birding as spring migration continues to heat up through May.
Download the pdf here.
Cowlitz County Bird List - 2026 March Update
- Details
By Russ Koppendrayer
Migration continued bringing new species throughout the month of March into Cowlitz County. Twelve new species were added to our composite year list. Nine expected species were bookended by three code 4 species on the first and last days of the month. Code 4 means that these species have been found more than five times in the county, but are seen less than annually. On March 1st a Swainson's Hawk was found in the Woodland Bottoms. This bird was in an unusual plumage that may have been a young bird just molting into its adult plumage. Also unusual was the date this bird was found. Either incredibly early or trying to overwinter, it belonged either farther south or in eastern Washington habitats. This species does incorrectly show as Code 5 on the current list, but that is wrong as there have been at least seven previous records. I'll try to have that corrected for the 2027 list.
Also found on March 1st was a Swamp Sparrow at Canal Road. A species that winters in Washington in small numbers, it likes to skulk in weedy, brushy wet places. A nice find by residents in that area.
And finally thirty days later on March 31st an American Goshawk was seen in flight in the foothills in the eastern part of the county. Quite possibly a migrating bird as this species is more prevalent east of the Cascades and farther north into Canada and Alaska. Certainly not impossible that it is a resident bird however.
Keep your eyes and ears open as migration will continue to ramp up over the next couple months.
Download the pdf here.
Message from our new Field Trip Coordinator David Slater
- Details
Hello everyone,
I’m pleased to introduce myself as the new Field Trips Coordinator for our Audubon chapter. I’m looking forward to helping create fun, educational and inclusive birding experiences.
Birding is most rewarding to me as a collaborative activity. Every participant—whether beginner or expert—brings unique observations, skills, and perspectives. A key goal of mine is to foster an environment where everyone feels encouraged to contribute: helping to spot birds (and even plants and other animals), sharing insights, and asking questions. Every contribution matters, and working together makes the experience richer for the entire group.
I am also seeking individuals who may be interested in leading, co-leading, or helping with field trips, as well as those who would like to learn how to become leaders. Support and mentorship are available, and enthusiasm and willingness to work with the group is far more important than expertise. Please reach out to me by
We have birding trips planned for April 25, May 2 and May 22. Please see our website calendar or read the Whistler to learn more about the field trips and to sign up.
I look forward to seeing you in the field!
Spring 2026 Willapa Whistler is available
- Details
The Spring 2026 Willapa Whistler is available now.
Read more of its content:
- Invitation to the Annual Meeting, Banquet, and Program
- 2025 Christmas Bird Counts Results
- Membership Form
- NW Birding Events
- A Message to our national members
- Call for Earth Day volunteers
- Tiny Dynamos: The Clever Adaptations of Warblers
- Wahkiakum Wild Bird Fest 2027
- Field Trip: Oysterville West Beach Access and Leadbetter Point State Park
- Field Trip: Julia Butler Refuge
- Cowlitz County Bird List - 2026 January Update
- Cowlitz County Bird List - 2025 Final Update
- Winter 2025 Whistler is available
- Cowlitz County Bird List - 2025 September Update
- Fall 2025 Whistler is available
- See the Fall Migration of Vaux's Swifts in Rainier Ore
- Cowlitz County Bird List - 2025 June Update
- Summer 2025 Whistler is available
- Cowlitz County Bird List - 2025 April Update
- See the Vaux's Swifts in Rainier Oregon in 2025