Bird counts in Seattle have declined 21% between 2005 and 2023. That's according to a new study from Birds Connect Seattle, which also found that species diversity declined by 18% during that same time period. Conservation director Joshua Morris authored the report. We met up recently at Washington Park Arboretum to talk about what’s happening to Seattle’s bird populations.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

Bird counts in Seattle have declined 21% between 2005 and 2023. That's according to a <a href="https://birdsconnectsea.org/2026/05/13/neighborhood-bird-project-report-fewer-and-fewer/">new study from Birds Connect Seattle</a>, which also found that species diversity declined by 18% during that same time period. Conservation director Joshua Morris authored the report. We met up recently at Washington Park Arboretum to talk about what&rsquo;s happening to Seattle&rsquo;s bird populations.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a>&nbsp;to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or<a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">&nbsp;leave us feedback online</a>.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now

Bird counts in Seattle have declined 21% between 2005 and 2023. That's according to a new study from Birds Connect Seattle, which also found that species diversity declined by 18% during that same time period. Conservation director Joshua Morris authored the report. We met up recently at Washington Park Arboretum to talk about what’s happening to Seattle’s bird populations.

In Seattle, bird counts and species diversity are declining

Memorial Day is a time to honor America’s fallen soldiers past and present.

It’s also the unofficial start of summer.

Today’s weather isn't exactly ideal for a beach swim.

But once we get to magical Seattle summer weather, don’t forget to check King County Public Health’s website before you take a dip.

They send out environmental scientists like Wyatt Klepac each week to test our swim beaches for toxic algae and bacteria.

Right now, Green Lake’s West Beach is closed because of toxic algae and Newcastle Beach due to high bacteria.

Last summer, we were curious about how the county decides to close beaches and went out with Wyatt to see for ourselves.

Here’s that episode again.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

Memorial Day is a time to honor America&rsquo;s fallen soldiers past and present.
It&rsquo;s also the unofficial start of summer.
Today&rsquo;s weather isn't exactly ideal for a beach swim.
But once we get to magical Seattle summer weather, don&rsquo;t forget to check King County Public Health&rsquo;s website before you take a dip.
They send out environmental scientists like Wyatt Klepac each week to test our swim beaches for toxic algae and bacteria.
Right now, Green Lake&rsquo;s West Beach is closed because of toxic algae and Newcastle Beach due to high bacteria.
Last summer, we were curious about how the county decides to close beaches and went out with Wyatt to see for ourselves.
Here&rsquo;s that episode again.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a>&nbsp;to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or<a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">&nbsp;leave us feedback online</a>.

Memorial Day is a time to honor America’s fallen soldiers past and present.  It’s also the unofficial start of summer.  Today’s weather isn't exactly ideal for a beach swim.  But once we get to magical Seattle summer weather, don’t forget to check King County Public Health’s website before you take a dip.  They send out environmental scientists like Wyatt Klepac each week to test our swim beaches for toxic algae and bacteria.  Right now, Green Lake’s West Beach is closed because of toxic algae and Newcastle Beach due to high bacteria.  Last summer, we were curious about how the county decides to close beaches and went out with Wyatt to see for ourselves.  Here’s that episode again.

These scientists are keeping an eye on which KC beaches are safe for swimming

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington.

First, rising diesel prices are squeezing the Pacific Northwest fishing industry. They're cutting into profits and adding new uncertainty to an already challenging business.

Next, for around 15 years, people have slowly dug up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities. Along the way, people have made a lot of other discoveries.

And finally, renters in six apartment complexes in Tacoma have voted to form unions in the last six months.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

Today, we&rsquo;re bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington.
First, rising diesel prices are squeezing the Pacific Northwest fishing industry. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/high-fuel-costs-are-testing-washington-and-oregon-s-fishing-industry">They're cutting into profits and adding new uncertainty</a> to an already challenging business.
Next, for around 15 years, people have slowly dug up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities. <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-05-20/on-the-outskirts-of-the-tri-cities-work-on-a-mammoth-dig-site-is-underway">Along the way, people have made a lot of other discoveries.</a>
And finally, renters in six apartment complexes in Tacoma <a href="https://www.knkx.org/law/2026-05-22/stronger-together-tacoma-renters-unionizing-landlords-housing">have voted to form unions in the last six months</a>.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at <a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or<a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback"> leave us feedback online</a>.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington.  First, rising diesel prices are squeezing the Pacific Northwest fishing industry. They're cutting into profits and adding new uncertainty to an already challenging business.  Next, for around 15 years, people have slowly dug up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities. Along the way, people have made a lot of other discoveries.  And finally, renters in six apartment complexes in Tacoma have voted to form unions in the last six months.

Weekend Listen: Diesel prices are squeezing the PNW’s fishing industry, digging up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities, and Tacoma renters are forming tenant's unions

Airports in Washington are getting some extra money, the North Aurora Avenue community wants gun violence addressed now, and a Seattle middle schooler is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

Airports in Washington are getting some extra money, the North Aurora Avenue community wants gun violence addressed now, and a Seattle middle schooler is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a>&nbsp;to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or<a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">&nbsp;leave us feedback online</a>.

Airports in Washington are getting some extra money, the North Aurora Avenue community wants gun violence addressed now, and a Seattle middle schooler is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

In Seattle, bird counts and species diversity are declining

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