Birds Connect Seattle

What happens when a single nesting site disappears? For Cliff Swallows at Magnuson Park, the impact was dramatic. 🐦

Our latest Neighborhood Bird Project species highlight explores how the removal of a large colony of mud nests in 2010 led to a 96% decline in Cliff Swallow sightings at the park. These highly social birds rely on shared nesting spaces, often building massive colonies under bridges, cliffs, and buildings.

The story is a powerful reminder that even small changes to urban spaces can have lasting impacts on wildlife, and that coexistence is possible when we make room for birds in our communities.

Read more about what Cliff Swallows can teach us about urban conservation at:
birdsconnectsea.org/2026/05/20/neighborhood-bird-project-report-species-highlight-5-cliff-swallow/

We’re excited to be partnering this week with Seattle Parks Foundation's Tree Equity Network for a virtual Lunch & Learn featuring our Conservation Director, Joshua Morris. 🌳

Join Joshua for a high-level look at Seattle’s urban forest, including the public agencies responsible for managing it and the plans, policies, and reports that help shape urban forestry decisions across the city.

💡This event is virtual and free! Learn more and register at: rebrand.ly/tree-equity-network-event

Bird of the Week: Say’s Phoebe 🤎

With its soft gray-brown feathers, cinnamon-colored belly, and signature tail bob, the Say’s Phoebe is one of the West’s most charming flycatchers. These open-country birds are often spotted perched on fences, shrubs, or rocks before darting out to catch insects midair.

In Washington, Say’s Phoebes are most commonly found east of the Cascades throughout the Columbia Basin and in river valleys in the northeastern part of the state. They’re rare in western Washington but can occasionally be spotted in early spring during migration.

They’re also some of the earliest spring arrivals in eastern Washington, sometimes returning as early as late February for nesting season.✨

💡Learn more about the Say's Phoebe at birdweb.org