(Picture of Violet-green Swallow from CornellLab All About Birds)

Volunteers turn their love of birds into support for River Center education programs

Each spring, a team of birders takes to the field with binoculars to support a cause close to their hearts.

Led by longtime volunteer and supporter Julie Jackson and her husband Dave, the Swift Swallows team is once again raising funds for the Dungeness River Nature Center through a bird focused peer-to-peer campaign. From March to May, the team identifies as many bird species as possible to inspire donations for the River Center’s educational programs.

The Swift Swallows have raised over $114,000 since 2009 by doing what they love.

“Putting the FUN in fundraising may sound like an oxymoron, but the Swift Swallows have raised over $114,000 to support River Center programs while having fun pursuing and sharing their passion for birds. The seven-member team aims to raise at least $5,000 for the Center this year birding from March through May. The team identified 212 species in March and the growing total means more funds for River Center programs.” Julie Jackson shared. 

The funds they raise help provide hands-on learning experiences for all ages at the River Center and we are thankful for our dedicated volunteers that make this happen. 

See what they are spotting in real time: swiftswallows.weebly.com 

Learn more and support this campaign: https://dungenessrivercenter.app.neoncrm.com/swiftswallows2025

 

Birds spotted by the Swift Swallows team this year:

Photo 1: A handsome Common Merganser spotted in Santa Rosa, California. (Photo by Tina Jackson)

Photo 2: A rare Xantus’s Hummingbird on its nest seen in Mexico.

Photo 3: An Anhinga in full breeding plumage was spotted during an Eco Cruise on Florida’s intercoastal waterway.