Coeur d’Alene Audubon has been dedicated to protecting birds since 1990.
The Local Communities and Bird Habitat Stewardship Act
Newly introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives improves the path forward for the millions of migratory birds that travel through American cities and towns each year. The Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act (H.R. 3276), bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) establishes a new dedicated investment of $1 million annually for the Urban Bird Treaty program, as managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Audubon Adventures
Coeur d'Alene Audubon’s Audubon Adventures program is currently available to classrooms in the Coeur d'Alene School District for 3rd through 5th graders. This program offers engaging, science-based materials about birds, other wildlife, and their habitats and includes informational materials both printed and online, suggested activities, and resources for students and teachers. We are currently working with four classrooms with lessons and activities planned in the classroom, on the playground, and in the field. If you are interested in helping, contact Pam Gomes, a retired science teacher and CdA Audubon volunteer.
Thank you to Mary Lou Reed for funding this educational conservation program for Coeur d’Alene Audubon.
Beginning Birding Classes
Our Beginning Birding classes, offered in partnership with the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, are free to the North Idaho community. Classes span three consecutive Saturdays, with each session offering three hours of hands-on instruction led by some of our club’s most experienced and enthusiastic birders. Topics include bird identification basics, how to attract birds to your yard using native plants, tips for feeding birds responsibly, and how to effectively use binoculars and scopes to improve your birdwatching skills. The course wraps up with a guided field trip where participants can put their new knowledge into practice in the field.
This 100% volunteer-led effort reflects our chapter’s commitment to fostering a deeper connection to nature and promoting bird conservation in Northern Idaho. Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to refresh your skills, we welcome you to join us in discovering the joys of birding!
Earth Day
Each year, Coeur d’Alene Audubon advances community-based conservation through our Earth Day presence at the library in Coeur d’Alene. Our educational booth features bird nests and replica eggs, generously loaned by BLM, that foster appreciation for native species and responsible stewardship. In partnership with Dark Skies International, we highlight the importance of dark skies for migratory birds and healthy ecosystems. Guided walks on Tubbs Hill connect participants with local habitats, while demonstrations of the osprey cams behind the library showcase successful urban nesting and inspire ongoing protection of the wildlife thriving above our community.
The Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count was established in 1998 and is the world’s largest citizen science project. Each year in February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these four days, people spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them to Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.
Check our calendar to join us yearly for the world’s largest citizen science project! See our 2026 observations in our Field Report.
Public Lands Advocacy
Coeur d’Alene Audubon proudly joined a united front of Idaho chapters in June 2025 in a swift and successful campaign to protect our public lands from being sold through federal budget reconciliation. Prompted by a call to action from Daly Edmunds, Policy and Outreach Director of Audubon Rockies, our chapter responded to the urgent need to advocate for Idaho’s cherished public lands and joined voices with Audubon leaders across the state. Although Daly’s territory officially includes Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, her past collaboration with Idaho chapters on Greater Sage-grouse conservation positioned her as a trusted ally in this fight.
With just days to respond before the bill hit the Senate floor, Audubon chapters rallied quickly, signing onto a joint letter that emphasized the grave risk of privatization, including potential foreign acquisition and permanent loss of access. Thanks in part to our collective advocacy, Idaho’s senators took a stand, helping to halt this shortsighted attempt to dismantle our public land legacy. The campaign was not only a testament to the power of rapid, coordinated action, but also a shining example of how Audubon’s network—rooted in science, community, and love for the land—can influence federal policy to safeguard the places that birds and people depend on.
We thank Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo for their public statements opposing the proposed sale of over 3 million acres of public land. Our message was clear: public lands belong to the people, and any attempt to sidestep public input or transparency undermines the democratic principles these lands represent.
Higgens Point Eagle Watch
Each December, in collaboration with Idaho State Parks, Coeur d’Alene Audubon hosts Eagle Watch at Higgens Point. When the Bald Eagles come to Coeur d’Alene Lake to feast on the kokanee salmon at the end of their lifespan, it is possible to see hundreds of Bald Eagles flying, fishing or perched in the trees near Wolf Lodge and Beauty Bay. Coeur d’Alene Audubon Volunteers man high-powered spotting scopes (with step stools for our younger viewers) and share information on eagle biology and behavior.
This past season was a productive season for Bald Eagle sightings — we made contact with over 1,000 members of the public. We enjoyed chatting with the many wonderful people stopping by who care about birds and have a deep curiosity about their behavior.
Thanks to Greg Speasl for sharing this fantastic photo with us of a Bald Eagle near Higgens Point in Winter 2024.
The Hoodoo Valley Bluebird Trail
For over 25 years, local Audubon volunteers have monitored and collected data from fifty bluebird nest boxes placed in the beautiful Hoodoo Valley north of Coeur d’Alene. This project gathers valuable data about bluebird populations in our area while also helping to protect and restore their numbers. These nest boxes have also provided nesting opportunities for both Tree and Violet-green Swallows. The boxes are monitored from the first arrival of the birds until the hatchlings have all fledged. Teams of volunteers monitor the trail each week and the data is sent to e-bird at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University. Volunteers cite this project as one of their favorites and many of our volunteers have been doing this for over a decade! Interested in auditing a bluebird visit to learn more about how you can participate? Contact us at contact@cdaaudubon.org.
Bluebird hatching in process — June 2025
Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-running citizen science tradition that began in 1900 as a conservation alternative to a holiday hunting tradition. In late December, volunteers across the Western Hemisphere participate in synchronized bird counts within designated areas. This data collection effort has provided valuable insights into bird populations, distribution, and habitat health over time. Many Coeur d’Alene Audubon members enjoy participating in this yearly event; our club archives have decades of Christmas Bird Count data for the five counties that our chapter serves.
Highway Cleanup
Birds and other animals can be enticed to highway areas that are not safe spaces for them. Attracted to shiny items and searching in litter for food, they may get entangled in discarded items. Coeur d’Alene Audubon organizes a highway cleanup along 2 miles of Hwy 95 to contribute to a cleaner environment and create safer spaces for birds to forage, nest, and thrive. Our efforts are a simple but helpful way to improve a local habitat and instill community pride.
Mica Bay Surveys
Since 2010, Coeur d’Alene Audubon volunteers have conducted the Mica Bay Survey monthly. This ongoing effort documents the diversity and quantity of birds on an established survey route in Kootenai County. Mica Bay is located 7 miles south of Coeur d’Alene. The survey route is approximately 3 miles long, contains several habitat types and takes between 2 and 4 hours to complete. Consistent monitoring of the site provides valuable information regarding seasonality, migration timing and patterns, population trends, and diversity changes to Idaho Fish and Wildlife and other researchers about changes occurring in our area.
Project FeederWatch
Join thousands of birders in the U.S. and Canada who count and enter data on birds they observe in their yard or a natural area of their choice. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and other groups have used this citizen science project to collect a vast amount of useful data since the 1970’s to study population trends and seasonal movements of birds. Project FeederWatch is a fun and easy way to spend more time observing birds and contribute to an important citizen science project.
Interpretive Signs
Coeur d’Alene Audubon partners with local agencies to create engaging educational signage in community spaces to educate people about birds and wildlife. These projects are funded through member dues and generous donations, allowing our club to reinvest directly in conservation efforts that raise awareness, inspire stewardship, and provide lasting educational value for the entire community. Volunteer committees are created and hours of work will go into one sign—be on the lookout for these waysides as you hike and bird in our area!
Reel-in and Recycle
Fish, birds and other wildlife can easily become entangled in discarded monofilament line causing ingestion, strangulation and death. Coeur d’Alene Audubon oversees the local Reel-in and Recycle program in coordination with the Idaho Department of Lands. Collection points are set up around local lakes and along the Coeur d’Alene River. Coeur d’Alene Audubon volunteers monitor, collect and send the line to our recycling partner, Berkley Recycling.
To date, over 13,000 bins have been set up and 20,000 miles of discarded fish line recycled.
Birding Backpacks
In partnership with the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, Coeur d’Alene Audubon is proud to support a hands-on conservation and education project that invites our community to experience birds up close. Through this collaboration, four fully equipped birding backpacks—two designed for children and two for adults—are available for free check-out at the library. Each backpack offers everything needed to get started, making birding accessible, welcoming, and fun for all ages.
By removing cost and equipment barriers, this project opens the door for families, students, and curious newcomers to step outside, observe local birds, and develop a deeper connection to the natural world. These backpacks help spark curiosity, encourage outdoor exploration, and inspire the next generation of bird enthusiasts and conservation advocates—one library card at a time.
Educational Outreach
Our mission aligns with creating lifelong learners and citizen scientists of all ages. At Coeur d'Alene Audubon, we take pride in collaborating with various institutions, including schools, groups and other entities that are passionate about receiving engaging programming on bird education and conservation in our local area. Our programs have garnered positive feedback, and we are always open to hearing about your unique ideas and projects. Feel free to reach out to us with your ideas and proposed projects so we can explore how we might be able to further our mission by working with your organization.