The Arboretum Bird Blind was built and installed on the Yakima Area Arboretum grounds in 2011. It is in the northeast corner of the Arboretum property, just north of the Cottonwoods in the natural area. The blind is stocked with bird seed by YVAS volunteers from October through April.

Visitors may scatter seed in the “sparrow patch” adjacent to the blind and view the birds through the openings. This is a great way to view and photograph the birds without disturbing them. During the fall and winter feeding season it is a busy place with Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows, Golden-crowned sparrows, Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Towhees, Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches, and California Quail visiting quite regularly, with the occasional Red-winged Blackbird stopping by.  We’ve had some less common visitors there as well, such as White-throated Sparrows and even Harris’s Sparrows.

History of the Bird Blind

The idea for the bird blind started with Josh Latimer, a local Eagle Scout. He contacted the Arboretum in the spring of 2011, asking if they had a project that would serve as his Eagle Scout requirements. The Arboretum indicated that they would like to have a bird blind on the grounds and contacted YVAS for guidance. YVAS Board member and volunteer Denny Granstrand was involved in choosing the location and helping with the design of the blind. Once a location and a plan for the blind were chosen, Josh set to work raising money for the project. He spent four consecutive Saturdays at a local grocery store asking for donations. He raised $500.00 from generous shoppers. He then attended a YVAS Board of Directors meeting and gave his presentation. The Board voted to cover the remaining expenses of the project.

Josh started construction of the blind in his parent’s garage in August, assisted by a group of Boy Scouts, a few parents and one very involved grandfather. Two weeks later, all the materials were hauled to the Arboretum. Installation was a challenge due to the amount of river rock in the soil, but Josh and his volunteers prevailed, and the blind was installed and ready to go. Josh’s job was finished, and it was a job well done!

One week later, six YVAS volunteers showed up to do some landscaping. The Arboretum had received several truckloads of wood chips from a Department of Transportation project, which were put to good use in making a path from the blind to the main trail around the Cottonwood grove. Volunteers also smoothed out the area, removed rock and re-arranged brush to create a smooth feeding area and some brushy cover for the birds.

The bird blind has been and continues to be an asset to the Arboretum, the birds and of course, those who enjoy observing them. It is a great place to view the birds of winter. YVAS volunteers carry out maintenance and repairs to the blind annually.

A rare Harris’ Sparrow visits the sparrow patch near the bird blind, photo: Karen Zook