My first encounter with a wetland ecosystem was in the springtime, on a vacant lot where the frogs’ chorus drew me like a magnet to the ponds in the flooded field. The hidden frogs lured me with their songs, compelling me to explore the elusive source of the sound. I was a young girl then, and I have been searching the water’s edge ever since. Many towns’ sewage ponds are their only marshy area and are frequently the local birding hot spot. The combination of water, abundant organic material, and few people lets the wildness spill into these unique areas.

Wetland habitats teem with life. Water and the underlying sediments, rich in nutrients, support diverse life forms, from bacteria and algae through every classification of organism. The productiveness of the wetland habitat provides a banquet for birds, who feast on life in the mud and water. The calm water of wetlands is a primordial soup, with frog eggs, water striders, crustaceans, marsh beetle nymphs, mayflies, and dragonflies all feeding in this richness.

Lane County Audubon Society is again teaming up with Nearby Nature to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (formerly International Migratory Bird Day) with the community in a big way!

The focus will be on kids’ activities, games, and bird walks throughout the morning. Bilingual (Spanish/English) activities will highlight the importance of recognizing the global lives of many of our seasonal birds, like the Osprey and Wilson’s Warbler. While living in Lane County part of their year, these birds are truly international. Many months of their lives are also spent north and south of our borders. See below (Read more) for map.

Rebecca has been involved with our organization as the Bird Walk coordinator since fall of 2017.  She has attended board meetings, as well as helped with bird walks and outreach events since first becoming involved. She is excited about birding and cares deeply about sharing the excitement and wonderment of birding. Thanks Rebecca, for your help!!  —Maeve

I am so excited to be the newest board member of the Lane County Audubon Society! I grew up knowing what my backyard birds were, and particularly loved American Goldfinches and Red-winged Blackbirds.