My interest in birds, particularly raptors, started at a young age. A friend of the family was a volunteer for a local raptor research organization and took me out on various trips to band red-tailed hawks and young American kestrels. When I was 12 years old I was looking for information about raptors on the internet and came across a falconry website. Intrigued, I asked the family friend for more information. He told me, “Don’t become a falconer, it will take over your life.” Even so, the friend of the family eventually introduced me to my falconry sponsor and the rest is history. Now twenty-four years later falconry is definitely my whole life. 

Falconry is one of the most highly regulated field spots. Multiple state and federal laws protect birds of prey and we follow hunting seasons that mostly match many gun hunting seasons. To acquire a falconry license you must a) find a sponsor b) pass a test and c) pass a facility inspection. Only then will you be allowed to get your license and work with a bird. The falconry regulations vary state to state but all follow guidelines drafted often with the help of falconers themselves. The first two years of your falconry career are considered your Apprenticeship. After two years if your sponsor signs off, you can move to General falconry level. This often broadens the type and numbers of birds you can work with. After five years as a General falconer you can apply for your Master falconry license. This is the highest license type, though there are some additions to this license such as obtaining an Eagle license in addition to your Master permit. 

The most common questions people ask are, “How do you get them to come back?” Or “How do you train them?” For me, successfully training a falconry raptor is really about learning the deep intricacies of raptor behavior and biology. There is a lot more to falconry than just hunting with a bird in my opinion, though that is and should absolutely be the goal of falconry. To have a good working relationship with your bird you must have excellent handling skills as well as trust from your bird. The birds must be healthy mentally and physically, in good feather and should always come first.

 You can ask 100 falconers their opinions on training and get 101 answers, but the fact is that raptors are very food motivated and this is how you build your relationship with them. The first steps are to get the bird to hop to your glove for a piece of food, then fly a short distance and then fly a longer and longer distance. We will then also introduce the lure. The lure is usually a piece of leather often made to look like the bird’s quarry and is attached to a line. Food is placed on the lure and the bird chases and gets the food reward for catching it. Once the bird is flying long distances to you and the lure it’s time to go hunting! Most falconers will start with a red-tailed hawk as their first bird as they are a hardy species and very common in most states. The most important goal with that first bird (and all of your birds) is to successfully hunt with it in the field.

Few things are as ancient and wild (and ultimately out of our control) these days as watching a wild predator take wild prey. And so, falconry teaches immense patience. When I am out with my raptors, everything else fades to background noise. I am able to truly catch glimpses of what it is like to be a wild predator chasing wild prey. In a world that is often organized, arranged, scheduled and anticipated, falconry is quite the opposite. Ultimately you have no control over what happens next. The bird is free to fly away; the quarry makes its own decisions. You are a spectator to something truly timeless and wild. Hunting with a raptor also teaches you a great deal about the body language of both predator and prey. In the case of the rabbits and hares I hunt, you must learn their natural history, especially habitat and foraging preferences. I have the utmost respect for my quarry- I have seen them use some amazing evasion tactics under immense pressure from both an aerial and ground predator at the same time and yet they almost always keep their cool. Getting to see these interactions is the most rewarding part about a successful falconry experience.

I urge anyone who is interested in falconry to read as much as you can and join your local club. However, the absolute best way to determine if you think falconry is right for you is to go out hunting with a falconer multiple times, not just once or twice. I went hunting every weekend with my sponsor for two years before I took my falconry test. It really is a lifestyle and not a hobby or passing amusement. Those of us who devote our lives to falconry get to experience that rare relationship of working with a wild animal. Though falconry has absolutely taken over my life, I wouldn’t change that for the world.

State resource links:

• WDFW Falconry Site: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/falconry/requirements
• Washington Falconry Regulations: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-420

Associations:

• Washington Falconers Association:  https://wafalconersassociation.org/
• North American Falconers Association: https://www.n-a-f-a.com/

A great website covering raptor health, nutrition, etc:

• The Modern Apprentice: http://www.themodernapprentice.com/

Books for beginners:

• The Falconer’s Apprentice. A Guide to Training the Red-Tailed Hawk. By William Oakes
• Apprentice Study Guide by the California Hawking Club edited by Frederick W. Holderman
• Don’t Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor
• The Red-Tailed Hawk: A Complete Guide to Training and Hunting North America’s Most Versatile Game Hawk by Liam McGranaghan

Great Blue Heron, Photo Courtesy of Kersti Muul

You’re already outside, enjoying your favorite outdoor activities; you hear birdsong overhead and at eye level you catch a glimpse of a darting little creature that suddenly takes flight. Who are these ethereal avian companions in your experience of being outside? Have you given them additional thought as you hike, kayak, backpack, trail run, cycle or simply look out your window at home?

Birds are with us wherever we are, and their presence outdoors heralds a certain health and persistence of nature in our surroundings. From mountain trail to urban apartment balcony, you’re going to see–and more often hear–birds. You might consider birding as your next complementary hobby to enjoying your favorite outdoor pursuits.

Birding Uses All Your Senses

Notice I am not calling this “bird watching”? That’s because noticing birds is not just something you do with your eyes. You hear birdsong, you might feel the softness of a feather found on the trail, you might taste the same wild fruit foraged by birds you see while berry picking, or you might smell the pungent aroma as you pass by a Great Blue Heron group nesting colony. Noticing birds and how they use the same shared surroundings will add to your sensory experience, no matter where you are.

You Can Bird Anywhere, Anytime

If you stop and listen, or follow the movement caught in the periphery, you will suddenly notice how many birds have been there waiting for your observation. Birds occupy every level of a canopy from ground to tree top; they forage, breed and nest in every possible habitat from lakes and wetlands, beaches and rocky shorelines, meadows and prairies, to backyard nest boxes and skyscraper ledges. They inhabit every elevation from sea level to mountain top, and if you look up even further, they may be flying high above your head during migration. You can start birding right now, simply by beginning to look and listen. 

Barn Swallow, photo courtesy of Kersti Muul

Birding is Easy, Inexpensive and at Your Own Pace

You can get started birding with resources you may already have: a pair of binoculars and your smartphone. Binoculars will help you see your feathered neighbors up close to identify features more readily if you want to start learning bird names. Phone apps such as Merlin or Sibley provide instant visual, auditory, behavioral and range reference for what you might be observing.

With such convenient, “already got ‘em” tools, you can ease into birding with very low commitment, to accompany whatever you are already doing. If you decide to up your game, the birding world has expansive resources for learning, travel, social connection, volunteer opportunities and more, a few of which are listed throughout and at the end of this article.

You Can Bird From Your Own Home

If you have a yard you might consider enhancing it for nature with native plants, trees and clean bird baths (both for bird hydration and bathing). Birds are abundant in cities and take advantage of urban and suburban habitat, using it as they would any wilder space. You’ll be surprised how many bird species you might find: densely urban King County in WA State, for instance, has a bird list of over 200 species reported.

Happily, attracting birds to your home is not restricted to those with yards. You can be an apartment dweller and attract birds, too! Attracting birds is more about creating a replication of natural habitat that doesn’t have to include putting out bird feeders (some rentals may not allow feeders, anyway). You can help more birds by creating forage opportunities the way nature intended: Plants that attract insects will attract insect-eating birds such as swallows and flycatchers, two bird species which do not visit feeders. Fruit-bearing plants, native flowers and groundcovers, sappy trees, all will attract different birds with specialized feeding strategies.

In fact, birds need whatever urban nature we can provide, as their habitat is disappearing across their range. Many birds migrate twice a year, and what habitat was there one year may be gone the next. Whatever we can do to support and replace habitat for birds–and enhance our own surroundings–will result in more birds for your viewing pleasure, and healthy, diverse populations for years to come.

You Can Bird in the Field

Northen Flicker

I hope to inspire your interest in adding birding to your already enthusiastic love for the outdoors. And you can start right now, before you even head to the mountains! Begin birding while getting in condition for your favorite outdoor activity. City parks and greenbelts are prime birding spots.

Once you’re feeling your birding chops, you might try birding or field sketching in place while camping or on a backpacking trip. These are just a couple examples of how easy it is to bird while also engaging in your beloved outdoor activities.

Keep Birding with These Additional Resources

If you want to learn more about birds in WA state, I recommend an in-person outdoor bird walk, field trip or event with a local birding expert. There is nothing quite like learning from someone more experienced to enhance your own confidence while birding (much like the whole WOW philosophy that brings women together to learn from each other!).

You can find a birding event through your local parks department or Audubon chapter such as Seattle Audubon or Audubon Washington. Or head out with sister birder Roniq Bartanen of She Birds, a Seattle-based urban bird guide who leads walks around the region (both independently and through the above Audubon chapters and Field Trip Society). Roniq is also an advocate for inclusive, accessible birding with an angle toward a mindful, noncompetitive practice.

If you prefer to listen to your content, you might check out one of the many birding podcasts from established The American Birding Association’s podcast to these birding podcasts hosted by women, curated by podcast host Suzy Buttress of The Casual Birder.

Harvesting “Steamer” Shellfish – Manila and Littleneck Clams

Here in Washington state, we are lucky to live where we can forage delicious, healthy seafood from publicly owned tidelands. With over 350 open areas and about 275 low tides per year, there are endless opportunities to harvest on public lands. You should know that bivalve shellfish are a nutritious local protein. So get out there and dig for your dinner!

 Washington hosts razor clams, geoduck, manilas, native littlenecks, butter clams, cockles, horse clams, eastern softshell and varnish clams. But for now, let’s focus on how to harvest, store, and prepare Manilas and native littlenecks –  local popular harvesting choices. A Gear List, Recipes, additional information and guidance can be found below in the Resource Section.

Important to Know Before You Go

• Buy a license: wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing. If you ONLY intend to harvest shellfish, the best deal going is the year-round Shellfish/Seaweed license.

• Is it legal? Is it safe? Is the beach open for harvest by WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)? Is the beach classified as open for harvest and free of biotoxins by WA Department of Health (DOH)? These two different state agencies manage public shellfishing in Washington. WDFW establishes harvest seasons and rules and DOH manages human consumption concerns. An area must be “open” by both agencies to harvest legally and safely…Harvesters should always check for beach-specific DOH water quality and harvest advisory status the same day they plan to harvest

• Know daily per-person limits and harvest rules: http://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/shellfishseaweed-species-rules/ Daily person limit is up to 40 clams, not to exceed 10 pounds in the shell. Clam limits must be bagged separately

• An informed harvester has better success in the kitchen. While you can take anything you dig within legal restrictions on public tidelands, learning species identification will help you target the clams you want to cook and eat. Download a two-page species ID chart here: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/332-087.pdf. Do not thaw and refreeze shellfish.

Harvesting Steamer Littlenecks: Manila and Native Littleneck

Left: Native Littleneck, Right: Manila

“Steamers”, or littlenecks can be taken at mid to high intertidal beach area in gravely areas mixed with mud and sand. If you visit the beach during a big low tide (-1.5 or lower) you will want to dig higher on the beach than the tide line may suggest. Many people make the mistake of walking over the best clam beds and digging right at the low tide line. Native littlenecks and Manila clams live within 2-4 inches of the surface, so harvesting with a small rake or garden trowel is usually effective. You are required to refill holes created while harvesting clams. Both species are known to rebury themselves, with Manilas being slightly stronger diggers

Shellfish gauges to ensure legal harvest size are available at most sporting goods stores. Minimum legal size is 1 ½ inches (38mm) across the longest part of the shell. Shells are marked with radiating lines and concentric rings and can be wildly patterned or gray/white Once you have achieved your daily bag limit of up to 40 clams, not to exceed 10 pounds in the shell, you are ready to purge them. Please give any undersized or discarded steamer clams a fighting chance by poking them back into your refilled holes.

How to purge “steamer” littlenecks: Purging clams involves soaking “steamer clams” (Manilas and native littlenecks) in cold seawater to allow them to clear their tissues of sand and grit. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to add cornmeal unless you enjoy the taste of soggy cornmeal in the stomachs of your cooked clams. We do not recommend purging any clams except littlenecks.

Purging Steamer Clam

We recommend that you take a bucket of sea water from the beach where you harvested the clams for the purging process, Store the clams in a cooler with ice until you reach the location where you will purge the clams and then add the sea water. Do not collect purging water from a different location as clams will uptake pollutants and marine biotoxins from the purging water you use. As a rule, except for during purging, do not store any clams in water for any length of time.

• Before leaving the beach, use seawater onsite to wash sand and grit off the shells. We recommend holding each limit in a mesh bag (from potatoes or citrus) which allows you to swish and wash your 40 clams in seawater without repeatedly filling and dumping your bucket. 
• Place the rinsed clams in a bucket of clean sea water. Allow them to stand for a minimum of 4 hours, or overnight. They will clean themselves of sand and grit. This is called “purging”. Keep them cool but do not add ice directly to the seawater as this will reduce salinity and may limit purging effectiveness. We recommend reusable ice packs.
• To prepare littlenecks or “steamers” for cooking, scrub the clams under running water to remove any attached sand and slime from purging. Test clams at this point to make sure you have no “mudders”, or shells full of sand. These sneaky chowder-ruining imposters are often heavier than live clams and will generally break open if the two halves are squeezed in a twisting, sliding motion between thumb and fingers. After purging, the clams can be refrigerated (while keeping them damp) for up to 7 days before cooking but eating them sooner rather than later is preferred for best meat quality.
• Before cooking steamers, look through the clams carefully. Any clams that will not close their shells when agitated are dead and should be discarded. Note, clams that have been held longer in the fridge may be slow to respond as the colder temperature has slowed their metabolic process. Any effort to close the shell means the clam is alive. If it remains gaped open and siphons do not move with agitation, it should not be eaten.

Storing “steamer” littlenecks: Once purged, steamer clams can be wrapped in a damp dishcloth and stored in a colander in the refrigerator until cooking. Manilas will store for up to 7 days; native littlenecks should be used within 2 days of purging. Both may be frozen in the shell after purging but the meat may be a little chewier. Do not thaw and refreeze shellfish.

Preparing and cooking “steamer” littlenecks: You can process and cook Manilas and native littlenecks the same way. A simple cooking method is to place the purged clams in a steamer or large kettle with 1 inch of water. Cover tightly and steam for about 10 minutes or until the shells partially open. Serve hot in bowls with clam liquor (strained fluid from the pot) and dipping cups of melted butter. Any uneaten clams can be removed from the shell and frozen in clam liquor for later use in soups or pasta dishes

Note when cooking: native littlenecks have stronger adductor muscles and may not release their shells as widely as Manila clams. If the shells are partially gaped open, these clams are still safe to eat. Some people claim the native littleneck is slightly sweeter than the Manila clam, but both are delicious!  See recipes below in Resource List and enjoy!

Resource List

Harvest Seasons and DOH harvest advisory status

• 2021 Seasons chart (2 pages): https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/adopted_2021wdfwbeachseasonsbarchart.pdf (hyperlinks to WDFW beach pages)
• Interactive WDFW season and DOH status map: www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety
• WDFW beach-specific pages: www.wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shellfish-beaches

Licensing information

• License Types: https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing/types-fees
• Buy a license online: https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/#/login
• Species in Washington information: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species
• Statewide Shellfish/Seaweed harvest rules for bag limits, size restrictions, legal harvest tools and methods: http://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/shellfishseaweed-species-rules/
• 2021 Low Tide Chart (1 page): https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/2021seattlelowharvest_0.pdf
• Species ID chart (2 pages): https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/332-087.pdf.
• Nutritional Value of Shellfish (WA SeaGrant brochure): http://wsg.washington.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/publications/Nutritional-Value-of-Shellfish.pdf
• Gathering Safe Shellfish in WA (WA SeaGrant brochure with species ID information: https://wsg.washington.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Gathering-Safe-Shellfish-in-Washington.pdf

Gear List

Always layer for unpredictable weather. A pair of knee-high rubber boots will make most areas accessible. Wind blocking layers are recommended.

• License
• Shellfish gauge, readily available from most sporting goods stores
• Tide chart (download from the WDW website)
• Mesh bag or container for each member of your party. Mesh bags can be combined in a single bucket for transport out of the field. Mesh bags make it easy to rinse clams by swishing bag through seawater before leaving the beach.
• Garden trowel, rake or shovel
• Bucket with tight fitting lid to transport purging water for harvesting steamer clams
• Rubber palm gloves are not essential but offer some protection for reaching into clam holes
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen

Steamer Recipes

Drunken Steamers (Camille’s own recipe) (steamers)

1 limit of steamers, purged and well-scrubbed                          1 (or more) lime(s)                    

4-6 cloves of minced garlic                                                        ½ cup chopped cilantro                                    

2 tbsp. butter                                                                            loaf of good crusty bread, like baguette

1 large shot of tequila                                                                           

Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Sautee garlic, but don’t let it get too brown or it is bitter. Add clams in the shell and toss to coat with butter and garlic. Add shot of tequila and cover pot. Allow to steam for 6-8 minutes, until clams are open.  Remove from heat, dust with cilantro and juice from half the lime. (You can use more lime juice if you want more lime flavor.)  Remove clams with a slotted spoon. Serve clams with individual bowls of the pot liquor for dipping. Garnish with slices of lime. Serves two.

Simple Clam Chowder (steamer)

2 tbsp diced bacon or salt pork                                      1 pint clams and liquid

½ cup chopped onion                                                    1 can evaporated milk

1 cup diced raw potatoes                                               3 tbsp butter

2 cups water                                                                  1 tsp. salt

                                                                                    ¼ tsp. white pepper

Sauté pork or bacon until crisp. Remove scraps from pan and reserve for use later as a garnish. Add chopped onion to hot fat, sauté until tender but do not brown. Combine cooked onion and diced potatoes in a deep saucepan. Add water, bring to a simmer and simmer gently for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are done. Stir in clams and all other ingredients. Heat until piping hot, but do not boil. Serves 6.

New England Clam Chowder (steamers)

1 pint clams or 1 pound fillets or steaks                          ½ tsp. salt

¼ cup chopped bacon or salt pork                                  Dash pepper

¼ cup chopped onion                                                    2 cups milk

1 cup clam liquor or water                                              Chopped parsley

1 cup diced potatoes

Drain clams and save liquor. Chop. Cut shellfish into ½ inch cubes. Fry bacon until lightly browned. Add onion and cook until tender. Add liquor, potatoes, seasonings, and seafood. Cook for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add milk, heat. Garnish with parsley sprinkled over the top. Serves 6.

Manhattan Clam Chowder (steamers)

1 pint clams and liquid                                       1 can (20 oz.) tomatoes

½ cup diced bacon                                            1 tsp. salt

1 medium onion, chopped                                 1/8 tsp. pepper

1 cup diced raw potatoes                                   1/8 tsp. thyme

2 cups water                                                      ½ bay leaf

Sauté bacon in large saucepan until crisp. Add onion and fry for about 5 minutes, or until tender. Add potato, bay leaf and water. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are done. Add the rest of the ingredients and heat until hot, but do not boil. Serves 6.

Old Fashioned Clambake (steamers)

 Dig a large hole; line it with wet stones (taken from the water) and build a hot fire in the pit. Let the stones heat for 2 or 3 hours. Shovel out the hot coals and place a layer of wet seaweed in the pit. Cover it with chicken wire, and then add another layer of seaweed. Put in the clams. Often potatoes and unhusked ears of corn are added to the pit. Cover again with seaweed and finally a tarpaulin. Weigh down the edges of the tarp with stones, and then shovel a little sand over the top of the tarp. Allow to steam for approximately 2 hours. Halves of chicken and lobster are sometimes added to the clam bake. Serve bowls or cups of hot clam chowder as the first course and watermelon for dessert.

Spinning Rod? Check. Tackle box? Check. Fishing license? Check. Lucky fishing cap? Check. There’s just one small problem, I haven’t fished in a long time or ever!! What do I do?!! Never fear! Your ‘very basic get you on the lake’ guide is here!! The first thing you need to do is pick a lake to go to. You can check out lakes in your area by going to this link. You can search by county or even by species!! https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes

Now let’s use a very nice easy to start lake in Cowlitz County called Horseshoe Lake. It’s located in the city of Woodland with a lot of great shoreline access. There are a lot of fish stocked there and you can get updated stocking information by going to: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/stocking/trout-plants Again, you can search by lake, county or even species. At the time of this article, Horseshoe Lake was last stocked April 28 with 3,000 rainbow trout!

So, we have our lake now what?

The most important thing prior to any fishing trip is, ‘know before you go’. This means, understand what regulations there might be at the water you are wanting to fish. You can pick up a regulation pamphlet at any sporting good store or you can download it from the WDFW website here: http://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/ One important thing to keep in mind is a new regulation cycle will be starting July 1, 2021 so grab those when they come out in June. Most lakes follow a 5 trout limit, no minimum size. If a lake has regulations other than the basic statewide rules, it will be listed in the pamphlet.

You don’t have to have a fancy rod or reel to enjoy some trout fishing at the lake. Your basic ZebCo can be purchased at Walmart to get you started until you decide what kind of fishing you want to do. Whether that is in lakes or streams, rivers or the ocean. You can start out very simply with a bobber, a size 10 hook and container of worms. If you’re not the wormy type, Powerbait is a great go-to for trout. You can get Powerbait in many forms. The nugget form is generally a lot easier to work with. They come in every color you can imagine! Grab a few different kinds. Other types of bait include corn, marshmallows, biscuit dough, cocktail shrimp and much more: https://rodreelguide.com/trout-bait/

You can also use lures but for sake of this guide, we’ll be focusing on bait. You can learn more about lures for trout here: https://www.fieldandstream.com/20-best-trout-lures/

You’ve got your hook baited and you are ready to roll! Now you just have to get that hook in the water and let the magic begin. You send that hook out from the shore and it plops in the water. And nothing happens. This is the fishing part of fishing!

Maybe you feel some ‘nibbles’… then BAM! Something hit your hook. Now you’ve got to ‘set the hook’. You can feel the weight of the fish trying to swim off, so you pull the rod up quickly which in turn sets the hook in the fish’s mouth. Now, of course, sometimes the fish spits out the hook. They can be very clever! But more times than not, you’ve got yourself a fish!

Don’t reel in too fast! Some fish will just give up and go slack but some will fight you all the way to the shore. They will jump and try everything they can to remove that hook. But yours stays and you get that fish to shore! You put it on your stringer and imagine just how yummy it’s going to taste!

Now that you have that awesome trout you might be wondering if you should clean it here at the lake or at home! Well, both ways work. You can clean the fish and toss the guts back into the water to be eaten by other critters in the lake, or you can take the fish home to clean and toss the guts in your garden or flower bed for some pretty cool compost!!

Wait a minute you say? That’s all there is to it? Nope, you could write a million blogs on trout fishing and never hit everything. We are just getting you out on the lake and getting started. There are a lot of things you can research. Learn more about the fish you want to go after. Maybe it’s not even trout but warmwater fish. Learn their habitat and where they like to hang out in the water. Then there’s the whole other side of cleaning, filleting and cooking! Or, if you prefer, Catch and Release  – releasing the fish to catch it another day. There are tons of resources online. Find  a few below  to get you started.

One last word, if you catch a fish in a Washington lake with a tag, there is a statewide trout derby occurring! You can call the number on the tag and find out what prize you have won. Check out this fun link for further info on what lakes have tags left in them! https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/contests/trout-derby
The most important thing is to have fun and take a friend fishing!!

Take Me Fishing – one of the best websites for all things fishing!
https://www.takemefishing.org/

Basic Fishing Techniques for Trout in Washington
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9A5UiJJMks

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
https://wdfw.wa.gov/

Check out this article from the Seattle Times!

Backyard chickens make me smile! Maybe it’s the farm girl in me, (as a crow flies, I live less than 3 miles from downtown Seattle), but seeing these bustling beauties peck around my yard just knocks the stress level down a few notches. It connects me to my roots and to my food- something I think we all crave, especially now. Chickens come in all kinds of breeds with all kinds of personalities, which makes this adventure fun and unique to every chicken owner! And one of the best parts? A healthy backyard chicken can lay in the range of 150-200+ eggs a year.

I have been keeping chickens for over 12 years now. My current flock consists of four ladies: Lola and Goldie are Easter Eggers that lay beautiful blue-green eggs and are a little bit too smart for their own good. Minnie, a Polish, is quirky but friendly and Mabel is a black Australorp – by far the most favorite chicken I have ever owned. She is friendly, calm and very personable. Other good breeds for the backyard are Buff Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds and any other breeds labeled as friendly, hardy, and good layers.

First make sure your city or town allows chickens (check local ordinances and do not get a rooster!). To start – some basic equipment and general knowhow can easily be acquired off the Internet or from a book. My favorite website is mypetchicken.com and the book currently on my desk is Your Farm in the City by Lisa Taylor.  Current pandemic conditions offer online classes but in non-pandemic times, you can find beginner classes at Seattle Tilth or The Issaquah Grange(grangesupply.com) which has very good information on their website under the tab “grange guide”- backyard chickens. I would highly recommend taking a class in the late winter to prepare for starting your chickens in the Spring. 

Doing well in confinement (a coop) is a must for backyard chickens. It provides them food, clean water and protection from predators. Coops can be purchased online, built or even found used on Craigslist. A hanging feeder and self-waterer are what I like best (see photo). Some scratch (for treats), grit and ground oyster shell for calcium are a must too. All of these, plus baby chicks, can be found at your local grange or feed store. Baby chicks are available March through early May. Chicks do require some special attention to get them to full size laying hens so make sure to attend that online class, do your research and purchase the needed supplies. Some places will sell pullets (young hens) if you want to skip the chick stage but is there anything cuter than a baby chick in the Springtime?!?!

The process of raising chicks to hens, understanding their needs and care, and finding that first egg in the nesting box are ALL wonderful learning experiences. It teaches valuable lessons of responsibility and respect for the natural process of life. It reinforces their connection to and respect for, the earth and all its creatures. It brings smiles and laughter as wings flap or eggs are collected.

Once established, your new feathered friends are surprisingly low maintenance. They will bring you much joy and a healthy source of protein. I highly recommend becoming a backyard chicken farmer!

WOW first offered a 4-hour introductory class at its fall weekend workshop in 2016 and I signed up to take this hands-on engaging course.  Earlier that spring, my husband (who is the policy advisor for the state beekeepers association) had decided to get his first package of bees and I was soon fascinated.  When I would sit next to our hive’s front door and peacefully watch all the foragers come and go, working together for the greater good of the colony, I knew I wanted to have more of this in my life.

The WOW course gave me a very thorough base of information and resources for getting started.  We were introduced to all the basic hive equipment, why beekeeping is important to us and our environment, the beeswax and honey rewards, and the bee veil as we were all able to inspect a few frames of a live hive!  One of the main key points I picked up on that day, was just how important it is to have a bee mentor.  I have since joined my local bee club and have taken the 3-month Intro to Beekeeping course taught online by the University of Montana.

My husband and I started our first hive in our backyard where we live in Bellingham.  We had purchased a spring package of Carniolan (known for being very gentle) honey bees through our local bee club president and sourced our original hive box from Mann-Lake (a great catalogue full of beginner equipment.)  This hive quickly grew into two hives and so we decided to move our small little apiary near the community garden in our HOA, just a couple miles from our house.  We visit the apiary almost daily to conduct any needed hive maintenance, check for pests, but more than anything…. lift our spirits. The indescribable sweet smell, inspecting the different colors of pollen the bees bring back from various flowers and trees, the soothing buzz that enhances all the senses, and the calming and almost meditative feel of watching thousands of bees in flight is like a therapy session.

I have a tendency to anthropomorphize my bees, which is something I will always need to work on. I understand the girls are programmed to work together, selfless, and always oriented toward protecting the colony. This is a message I am daily trying to convey in my work life to others, so when I work with the bees I guess I am waiting for them to signal me on how to get people to follow their example. I always leave the hive with a sense of hope.

Sometimes I do feel overwhelmed by the thought of trying to understand and be helpful to an entirely different species, but I am the kind of person who is fueled by a challenge and wanting to always learn more.  I must now have over 2-dozen or more beekeeping books that have been recently gifted to me by friends or family, but the top three that I would recommend to anyone interested in starting their own path to becoming a beekeeper are the following: 1) Confessions of a Bad Beekeeper by Bill Turnbull, as it just very funny, humbling, and gives you a good overview of how to learn from other’s mistakes. 2)The University of Montana suggested text book called Storey’s Guide to Beekeeping, and 3) Robbing the Bees by Holley Bishop, a good story combined with natural and social history.

Post Covid, I look forward to being able to share with my WOW sisters, all I have learned over the past few years about honeybees and that there is a BIG difference between being a bee “haver” (one who owns bees), versus becoming a bee “keeper” (one who gives care and attention).

“To Bee” or “Not To Bee” is the big life question….

We had a couple of incredible days in the snow this January! Cheers to our intrepid winter adventurers that made it through wintery road conditions to trailheads at Blewett Pass (Jan. 11) and Snoqualmie Pass (Jan. 18)! We broke new trail, lost count of the the number of snowshoe hare tracks we saw, learned how to lessen risk when planning winter routes and outdoor activities, and delighted in all of the people recreating the in the snowy outdoors.

It was so much fun! I learned a LOT, too! – 2020 Snowshoe Participant

WOW! What a weekend! Thank you to each participant that ventured out with us to Manastash Cayon for our 22nd annual Fall Weekend Workshop. We had an incredible time outdoors exploring Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center, learning new skills, and building up a community of empowered women for nature. We couldn’t have done it without our dedicated volunteer Instructors and Team, our partners at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and immense scholarship and resource support from the Washington Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, along with so many others, including REI!

There are still so many opportunities to learn new things and WOW offers the opportunity to learn new things in a safe environment. I am already out a lot in the outdoors but these classes continue to confirm that outdoors is the place to be. – 2019 Fall Workshop Participant

For the first time in a long time, WOW offered an Introduction to Shotgun workshop in June 2019. Students left inspired to continue on their shotgun journey, armed with new knowledge that will keep them and others safe, their firearms clean, and their follow-through improving! For some, this was the first step in their journey to become a hunter. Others were excited to simply learn a new skill, become more comfortable around firearms, and take up the sport of trap and skeet shooting!

The first time I hit a clay during the workshop, I knew I was hooked on skeet and trap shooting, and it empowered me to consider turkey hunting. – 2019 Shotgun Participant

WOW is proud to be part of a movement to cultivate the next generation of strong outdoor women. At Pre-WOW girls (8-13) learn alongside a loved girl-at-heart. This year we practiced setting up tents and camp stoves, shooting arrows (archery), building debris huts, and starting fires. We also refreshed our 10 essentials, made zipper pulls for our jackets, learned some primitive games that teach sensory awareness, and celebrated this weekend Rite of Passage by the bonfire.

As soon as we got home she started planning a camping trip with her dad, where she is going to lead setting up the tent and starting the fires. She is so thrilled to have these skills and can’t wait to practice them. I felt empowered by watching my daughter blossom in her confidence–this is what I wish for her as her mother. – 2019 Pre-WOW Participant

Immense thanks to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, the WOW Team, and our expert volunteer instructors for delivering perhaps our most successful Intro to Waterfowling Workshop yet!

Participants practiced shooting clays, calling ducks, running a retriever, cleaning birds (practiced on lead-poisoned swans), and even had the opportunity to make feather earrings before heading home with new knowledge and confidence to explore the outdoors in a new and immersive way.

I truly enjoyed this experience more than I can say. So much kindness, patience and knowledge was generously shared. Thanks to everyone who made this possible. – 2019 Waterfowling participant