Yakima County Spring Migration Count
The Yakima County Migration Count is a survey of birds in which species are tallied from the representative sectors across Yakima County. Scott Downes is leader for this annual projec. He puts together teams to cover the best areas to bird around Yakima including the White Pass, Chinook Pass, the Lower Valley, Ahtanum, Yakima Training Center, Toppenish and Wenas areas. Some teams start before dawn with owling, while most teams go all or most of the day. In addition to cheering on teams on their long journeys around the various habitats of the county, YVAS members and the public are encouraged to contribute towards bird conservation via the Birdathon fund-raising event! The Migration Count is typically scheduled for one of the first weekends in May, but exact timing is determined each year and announced in the YVAS Event Calendar.
2024 Yakima County Spring Migration Count
Friday – Monday, May 10-13, YVAS will undertake its annual county-wide migration bird count, as we try to tally species from different sectors in the county. Scott Downes will be putting teams together to cover all of the best areas to bird around Yakima including the White Pass, Chinook Pass, Lower Valley, Ahtanum, Yakima Training Center, Toppenish and Wenas areas. Some teams start before dawn with owling, while most teams go all or most of the day. In addition to cheering on teams on their long journeys around the various habitats of the county, you can contribute as well! If you see an unusual species of bird while out birding during May 13-16, email Scott Downes, downess@charter.net to have your unusual species added to the team effort. You can also contribute by helping YVAS to raise money for important conservation actions in the chapter by donating to Birdathon.
To make an online donation to Birdathon, click here.
For a printable pdf of the donation form, click here.
American Avocet, photo: Melissa Groo
Tieton River Nature Trail, photo: Sarah Shippen