Howdy!

This week, our focus was heavily based on the vital avian community within our watersheds. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were dedicated to tree swallow surveys. We checked our bird boxes, ensuring the tree swallows were settling in well, building nests, and feeling at home. Wednesday also brought a valuable opportunity. Ron Arvidson led a session for SSWA members and community locals, teaching us how to use Merlin and eBird to observe, identify, and record bird sightings and populations.

Thursday morning was a mix of carpentry and conservation work. Matt, Ashton, Keiran, and our newest team member Ryan put their carpentry skills to use for an upcoming project while also joining Romy and Mel for Bank Swallow surveys. We were quite excited to spot a large population along the Victoria coastline, an excitement that was enhanced considering their endangered status. In addition to these activities, SSWA undertook tree planting at Linden Park, various headwater and stream assessments, milkweed planting, and invasives removal in Westmoreland River Nature Park. It’s still early in the season for us, but we’re already proud of the progress we’ve made and the work we do.

Welcome back!

-Love SSWA

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