Happy new year to all my Tweeters compatriots. If you are looking for a
2005 resolution or new activity, let me suggest a one-day or weekend project
in April that will allow you to combine some wonderful birding with a great
environmental project. The annual Olympic Coast beach clean up happens the
weekend of April 23rd. I've been going out to the coast on this project
ever since it started five years ago. It is a great opportunity to tear
yourself away from the city, the suburbs, gardening, Eastern Washington,
etc. and get out to the coast when there aren't many people around. This
year the clean up will take place from Cape Flattery down to Tokeland so you
have tons of options about where to go as well as endless birding
possibilities in connection with the clean up. Opportunities include just
working on a Saturday or backpacking in to more remote beaches in Olympic
National Park. My personal favorite is working the Makah Reservation on
Saturday and Shi Shi on Sunday. April is a great time to bird one of our
least birded parts of the state--Neah Bay and Cape Flattery. I'm hoping to
see more clean up volunteers this year with binoculars slung around their
necks.

The numbers from last year were pretty good: 500 volunteers signed up
7 tons from Ocean Shores to Moclips
14 tons from Olympic National Park
3 tons from the Makah Reservation

Check out the web site: www.olympiccoastcleanup.us.

Good birding,

Carol Riddell
Edmonds