January/February 2026 Red Tails

naomihanvey
Jan 25
3 min read

Click below to download a PDF of the newsletter!

From the Desk of the President

by Gayle Talbot, President

Did you know that CBAS has a beautiful website where you can find all of our past Red Tails newsletters? Visit centralbasinaudubonsociety.org. We also have an active Facebook page with 424 members, while our actual chapter memberships are about 60 (some are family memberships), We appreciate every one of you! But this explains why we could not participate in the trial run of the Christmas Bird Count this year. Thank you to Doug Schonewald who did an amazing amount of work to set up a new CBC and advertise in a few groups, but with only eight volunteers, he had to cancel it for this year.... But maybe next year?

You may be interested in the 2025 Audubon WA Impact Report, which details the progress on several projects. This report, “Uniting Through Birds,” reminds us that what is good for birds, is good for wildlife, people and our planet! Scan the QR code to the right with your smartphone to read the report.

Thank You So Much!

by Margaret Schiffner, Treasurer

CBAS wishes to thank the following for their generous donations for our 2026 Ron Van Nurden Scholarship Program; those from Moses Lake: Ed and Paula Stout, Bill & Margaret Heming, Michael & Marilyn Moliter, Animal World Veterinary Clinic, Pioneer Veterinary Clinic, Gary Utter, Doug Schonewald, Emma Lou Bishop, Gayle Talbot, and Mary Davis; others from WA state: Jane Grant, Othello; Kathleen Morton, Spokane; Jenny Hayes, Quincy; Gayle Van Nurden, Renton; and others from the US: Joan Bergmann, Goose Creek, SC; Nancy Vaughan, Denver, CO; Graeme Cloutte, Colorado Springs, CO; Tracie Bell & Becky Hacher Bell and Timothy Ross & Ruth Ann Ross, through DAF Giving 360.

Additionally, we wish to thank the following for renewing their 2026 CBAS memberships: Janet Johnson, Jane Grant, Randy & Elaine Hill, Mary Davis, Doug Schonewald, Michael & Marilyn Molitor, Bill Weiss, and Margaret Heming.

As always, we would like to thank Naomi Hanvey and A&H Printers for their work on this edition of Red Tails.

Finally, thank you to Margaret Heming for being our Bird Walk leader and organizing the six monthly field trips for CBAS!

Jackie Chase at North Potholes Reserve. Photo by Jeff Cummings.

Paula Zanter-Stout and Vic Rasmussen at North Potholes Reserve. Photo by Jeff Cummings.

"Lights Out" During Migration - WSACC 2025

by Margaret Heming, Field Trip Chair

The Washington State Audubon Conservation Council met via zoom on October 3. I represented Central Basin Audubon Society at this meeting. (It was at the same time as our CBAS Board Meeting.) The purpose of the gathering was to discuss and vote on a proposed WSACC resolution to engage with Audubon’s Lights Out Program. This resolution was proposed by the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society. Interim Washington State Director Trina Bayard welcomed us and introduced WSACC.

Hannah Partridge from National Audubon, explained “Lights Out Audubon.” This program has two big goals:

To reduce artificial light at night, because turning off lights dramatically reduces hazards from, attraction to, and disorientation by light, allowing birds to safely proceed with their migratory journeys. And
To promote bird-friendly buildings and reduce bird collisions with windows. Seventy Audubon chapters across the country have engaged in this work, with 1000 events last year. Since the vote was unanimous, with all 17 attending chapters (out of 25 WA state chapters), the Lights Out Audubon program will be an important priority for us all.

The infographics on this page are part of the initiative. For more tips, go to darksky.org/homelighting