Birding and Blues 2015 by Pacific City Sun

11th annual Pacific City

Birding & Blues Festival May 1-3, 2015 Kiawanda Community Center

Pacific City, Oregon

Nature Presentations Guided Field Trips Live Birds of Prey Show Two Evenings of Blues For more info, visit:

www.birdingandblues.org

Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival May 1-3 • Event Registration

Attendee Information Name________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ City_____________________________ State_____Zip__________ Email_______________________________ Phone_____________________

Festival Field Trips, Presentations & Concert Pricing Options Individual Events

# of Tickets

Price

No. of field trips_______ No. of Presentations_______

$_______________

Friday & Saturday night concert at the Kiawanda Community Center from 8-11pm Price $15.00 for all ages.

No. of Friday tickets_______ No. of Saturday tickets_______

$_______________

Festival Pass

Family_______ Adult_______ Student_______

$_______________

Family_______ Adult_______ Student_______

$_______________

Tickets to individual field trips and presentations. Price $15.00 for all ages.

Blues Concerts

Family* price $80, Adult price $35, Student with valid ID price $20. Includes most field trips and presentations. Does not include concerts.

Deluxe Festival Pass

Family* price $135, Adult price $65, Student price $40. Deluxe passes are for all presentations, field trips, and both concerts. *Family is defined as two adults and their children under 18.

Add-on Excursions – Not included in Festival or Deluxe Pass Three Capes Scenic Tour ($40) - Friday, May 1

Meet at 7:45 am at Kiawanda Community Center. Trip lasts from 8am-3pm. Space is limited to 20. Registration by April 24 is mandatory. Optional boxed lunches may be purchased for $10 each.

No. attending_______ _

Box Lunches Turkey_______ Veg_______

$_______________

Nestucca River Kayak Tour

Contact Nestucca Adventures for separate registration and payment. Phone: 503-965-0060 or EMAIL: NestuccaAdventures@gmail.com.

Field Trip Sign Ups – Field trip times are subject to change. Saturday, May 2

Sunday, May 3

7:45a-10:15a Two Rivers Peninsula

No. Attending___________

8a-10:30a

E-Bird

No. Attending___________

8a-10:30a

Two Rivers Peninsula

No. Attending___________

8a-10:30a

Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge

8a-10:30a

Clay Meyers State Natural Area

No. Attending___________

8a-10:30a

Neskowin Marsh

No. Attending___________

8a-10:30a

Birding By Ear

No. Attending___________

9a-10:30a

Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge

No. Attending___________

9a-10:30a

Beginning Birding (Must attend related presentation at 8am)

No. Attending___________

11a-1p

Forest Discovery Walk

No. Attending___________

3p-5:30p

Wetlands Restoration Walk

No. Attending___________

11a-1p

Forest Discovery Walk

No. Attending___________

3p-5:30p

Wetlands Restoration Walk

No. Attending___________

3p-5:30p

E-Bird

No. Attending___________

3p-5:30p

Neskowin Marsh

No. Attending___________

TOTAL FESTIVAL PRICE Payment Information:

______ Check

$_________________ ______ Visa

Name on Card:____________________________

_______ MC

_______ Discover

Card No.___________________________

_______ Amex Expire___________________ CVV___________

Credit card authorizing signature:_______________________ No tickets will be mailed. Pick tickets up at Kiawanda Community Center starting May 1 at 1:00 p.m. Unless otherwise noted all field trips, presentations, and concerts take place at the Kiawanda Community Center: 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City, OR 97135. Registration forms must be received by April 24. No cancellations allowed after April 24. Participants grant full permission to use any names, photographs, and recordings made by the Pacific city Birding & Blues Festival and the Pacific City-Nestucca Valley Chamber of Commerce for all future advertising and marketing programs. Advance registration ends April 24. Beginning Friday, May 1 at 1:00 p.m., you can register at the Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive. Space may not be available for some field trips. See Festival Program descriptions of presentations, field trips and blues concerts.

TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.BIRDINGANDBLUES.ORG

PACIFIC CITY BIRDING & BLUES FESTIVAL • MAY 1-3, 2015

Condors in the Northwest? Featured presenter Susan Haig will share details on plans to reintroduce California Condors to Oregon

espite the frequent depiction as a bird of California and the Desert Southwest, California Condors, North America’s largest avian scavenger, once graced the skies of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to British Columbia. Offering insight into the condor’s history in the region will be 2015 Birding & Blues Festival featured presenter Dr. Susan Haig, who will discuss probable causes of regional extinction and the likelihood that condors once bred in the region. Her presentation will be held on May 2, 1:30-2:45 p.m. at Kiawanda Community Center. The largest bird in North America, condors are also incredibly intelligent and sociable, says Haig. “They are amazing birds. Often they don’t see each other for a long time but recognize each other 10 or 15 years later,” she said. Working together with Jesse D’Elia, Haig has investigated the paleontological and Courtesy photo observational record as well as BIRDING & BLUES featured presenter Dr. Susan Haig the cultural relationships between will discuss probable causes of California Condor Native American tribes and regional extinction and the likelihood that they once condors, a project that resulted in bred in the Northwest during a May 2 presentation at the most complete assessment to Kiawanda Community Center, starting at 1:30 p.m. date of the condor’s occurrence in the Pacific Northwest for their book titled “California Condors in carcasses from people that use lead bullets,” the Pacific Northwest,” which was published she said. “The lead issue is going to be the in 2013. Achilles heel for bringing condors back, but it’s She says that through examining historical also a huge issue for other species.” records, the book reveals that condors were Haig has spent more than 30 years here and very integral to Native American working on species facing the brink of customs. extinction. Her research addresses the “We are absolutely sure they were very genetic and demographic factors needed to integral for the ecosystem in the Northwest up plan appropriate recovery actions for small until the early 1920s,” she said. populations. Dr. Haig’s long-term efforts Noting a current tribal effort to reintroduce include work on Piping Plovers, Spotted the birds at the Oregon-California border, she Owls, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, California says now is the time to educate the public Condors, and the former avifauna from about the coming release, as well as the Guam. She is a Professor of Wildlife Ecology at challenges the birds will face. Oregon State University, a Supervisory Wildlife “I hope (festival attendees will) appreciate Ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, and how incredibly complex they are and how a Research Associate of the Smithsonian incredible it would be to have them back in the Institution. She serves as President of the Northwest,” Haig says. American Ornithologists’ Union, one of When it comes to bringing them back to the oldest and largest organizations in the Oregon, condors have some things working in world devoted to the scientific study of birds. their favor as, unlike other birds, they are very Her work with Peter Marra (Smithsonian adaptable. Institution) on the Migratory Connectivity “As long at they have dead stuff to eat Project (www.migratoryconnectivityproject. they’re good to go,” she said. org) further informs global students, policy That said, there is a hidden threat — lead makers and the public about the impact of ammunition. conservation on species throughout the annual “They die from lead poisoning from eating cycle.

Courtesy photo

Taking a Shot Karen Ulvestad to teach bird photography tips, techniques

hutterbugs yearning to develop their photographic eye and perfect proper techniques can learn how to better capture the beauty of birds during “The Art of Photographing Birds,” a in-class and inthe-field learning opportunity hosted by photographer Karen Ulvestad on Saturday, May 2 at the Birding & Blues Festival. The in-class portion will be held at Kiawanda Community Center starting at 4:30 p.m. The classroom portion will be spent learning techniques and exposure for bird photography — with a focus on etiquette in the field, improving success rate for good photos and spotting techniques. The second half of this photography class will be spent in the field photographing birds, and practicing the techniques learned in the classroom. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. Based out of Seattle, Ulvestad is a wildlife and landscape photographer, with a passion for photographing birds. She teaches workshops at Sitka Center for Arts and Ecology, Karen Ulvestad Photography and Arts Now (Edmonds Community College.) She believes a strong image tells a story about the subject and is drawn to take photographs with dynamic elements, motion, action or a powerful story. Her work, which spans more than 25 years, has been published in magazines, brochures, websites, and cards. She selfpublishes books through blurb.com using both her writing and photography skills and her latest book is titled Northwest Passage. Ulvestad writes a photography blog on destinations, techniques, and tips. She also gives photography presentations at bird festivals and other events. Through the years, her style evolved from photographing landscapes, people, wildlife, and commercial work through-out the western United States, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Canada. Ulvestad’s work can be seen at www.karenulvestad.com. Sponsored by Quality Printing

Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival • Page 3

2015 FESTIVAL PRESENTATIONS

FRIDAY, MAY 1

CHILDREN’S ART WORKSHOP

Courtesy photo

Raptor Tales

Birding & Blues to feature two ‘Birds of Prey’ presentations

or birders eager to get up-close-andpersonal with the many birds of prey that grace the Oregon skies, the 2015 Birding & Blues Festival is offering two unique events designed to learn more about these amazing avians. The glimpse into the fascinating world of raptors will begin on Friday, May 1, 5-6 p.m. when Birding & Blues presents “Meet the Birds of Badger Run Wildlife Rehab,” a free presentation that will offer attendees a chance to meet hawks, owls, falcons and more, as well as learn what they can do to help injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. Attendees will also be afforded an opportunity to have a photo taken with their favorite “Animal Ambassador.” “For a lot of people — especially kids — this will be the first time they get to see wildlife up close,” said Liz Burton, president of Badger Run. “It brings it home to them.” During the presentation, which will be lead by Burton, attendees will learn about the different roles birds play in the ecosystem and what the average person can do to help them. Burton has been devoted to wildlife for more than 30 years and holds a bachelor of science degree in Animal Ecology, Behavior and Evolution. She is also active in exotic pet rescue and educating owners in the proper care of their animals. “A lot of times it inspires people to get involved,” added Burton. A second birds of prey exhibition, set for Saturday, May 2, 3-4 p.m., will answer the question: How could anyone love something as ugly as a vulture? “Why I Love Bald Guys,” for which festival admission is required, will detail the important role vultures play in the ecosystem how vital they are to global health. Attendees will also learn about threats to vulture populations and what the public can do to help. “It has been well documented that in areas without vultures, carcasses take four to six times longer to decay — and that results in an infinitely higher level of bacteria and parasites being released into the environment,” Burton said. Both presentations will be held at the Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City. Sponsored by Shorepine Vacation Rentals and Oregon Coast Bank

Page 4 • Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival

3:45-4:45 p.m. Part of the Community Open House (No Fee). Children ages 8-18 are invited to join Mark and Kim Cavatorta as they help students with a fun project. Participants should come dressed to get messy, just in case. Mark teaches art at Nestucca Jr./Sr. High School, and his wife Kim leads the Community Art Project’s Art Literacy program, which presents monthly art lessons to area elementary students. Limited to the first 12 students. All materials are provided. Register in advance at 503-965-6247. Sponsored by Bayshore Dental Clinic.

LIVE BIRDS OF PREY PROGRAM

5-6 p.m. Part of the Community Open House (No Fee). Come get up-close and personal with some of the non-releasable birds of Badger Run Wildlife Rehab. Meet hawks, owls, falcons and more. Attendees will also discover how to help injured, sick and wildlife in their area, as well as have a chance to get their picture taken with their favorite Animal Ambassador! Led by Badger Run president Liz Burton, who has been devoted to wildlife rehabilitation for more than 30 years and holds a B.S. degree in Animal Ecology, Behavior and Evolution. Sponsored by Shorepine Vacation Rentals.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 BEGINNING BIRDING CLASS & FIELD TRIP

8-9 a.m. Laura Whittemore will teach attendees how to spot the differences among birds through their unique field marks and behavior, as well as where and how to watch birds. Laura, who teaches classes in beginning birding and birding by ear through the Audubon Society of Portland, will also give a primer on popular identification guides. She fell into birding some 20 years ago. By spending time with people who knew more than she did, she went to new places, saw new birds and eventually began passing on her enthusiasm. Her favorite part about birding is it can be done anytime anywhere with just your eyes and ears. A chance to try out the skills learned in the field follows the presentation (class attendance mandatory). Sponsored by Seaview Vacation Rentals.

SURFRIDER OREGON: PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE

10-11 a.m. Surfrider Foundation Oregon field coordinator Ryan Cruse will teach attendees about issues affecting our coast, the great work being done by the grassroots activists of Surfrider and how you might get involved! The Surfrider Foundation has a strong network of chapters throughout Oregon, from Portland to Port Orford. The chapters engage in programs ranging from rapid response beach cleanups and marine debris monitoring to building ocean friendly gardens, influencing public policy and running year-round water quality testing via their Blue Water Task Force program. Ryan has been working in the nonprofit sector since 2008, focusing on program development and community engagement. In 2013, Ryan was named one of the “25 Portlanders Changing the World” by Portland Monthly magazine and did a stint in 2010 as a “bag monster” activist as part of the Surfrider Foundation Portland Chapter’s successful campaign to ban plastic bags in the City of Portland. Sponsored by Inn at Cape Kiwanda.

“MUST-SEE BIRDS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: FINDING OUR FAVORITES IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON”

11 a.m.-noon. This talk, presented by experienced birders Sarah Swanson and Max Smith, is a lively, practical guide that helps readers discover 85 of the region’s most extraordinary birds. Each bird profile includes notes on what they eat, where they migrate from, and where to find them in Washington and Oregon. During their presentation, Max and Sarah will show stunning color photographs as they take you on a journey where they discovered more about birding. They will also offer tips for finding their favorites in Oregon and Washington and provide insights into the biology and behavior of the birds that will help attendees locate and appreciate them. Sponsored by Jo Rack and Frank Gomer.

FEATURED PRESENTATION: CALIFORNIA CONDORS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

1:30-2:45 p.m. Author and ornithologist Susan Haig will discuss probable causes of the condor’s regional extinction and the likelihood that these birds once bred in the region, as well as assess factors that must be considered in determining whether they could once again thrive in Northwest skies. Despite frequent depiction as a bird of California and the desert southwest, North America’s largest avian scavenger once graced the skies of the Pacific Northwest. Her newest book, “The California Condor in the Pacific Northwest,” documents the condor’s history in the region, from prehistoric times to the early twentieth century, and explores the challenges of reintroduction. Haig’s condor research, which has spanned over 30 years, addresses the genetic and demographic factors needed to plan appropriate recovery actions for small populations. Haig is a professor of Wildlife Ecology at Oregon State University, a supervisory wildlife ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, and a research associate of the Smithsonian Institution. She serves as President of the American Ornithologists’ Union, one of the oldest and largest organizations in the world devoted to the scientific study of birds. Sponsored by Pacific City Sun.

2015 FESTIVAL PRESENTATIONS

SATURDAY, MAY 2 (CONTINUED) BIRDS OF PREY: “WHY I LOVE BALD GUYS” 3-4 p.m. How could anyone love something as ugly as a vulture? In “Why I Love Bald Guys,” Liz Burton, president of Badger Run Wildlife Rehab, will share information about the important role these birds play in our ecosystems and how vital they are to global health. Burton has been devoted to wildlife rehabilitation for more than 30 years and holds a B.S. degree in Animal Ecology, Behavior and Evolution. She uses this to keep the wildlife in Badger Run Wildlife Rehab’s care comfortable and in good health both physically and mentally. Liz is also active in exotic pet rescue and educating exotic owners in the proper care of their animals. Sponsored by Oregon Coast Bank. THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHING BIRDS 4:30-5:30 p.m. In this presentation by photographer Karen Ulvestad, students will spend an hour in the classroom learning techniques and exposure for bird photography via visual presentation. The focus is on etiquette in the field, improving success rate for good photos, and spotting techniques. The second half of the lecture is spent in the field photographing birds, and practicing the techniques learned in the classroom. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. Based out of Seattle, Ulvestad is a wildlife and landscape photographer, with a passion for photographing birds. Her work spans more than 25 years and has been published in magazines, brochures, websites, and cards. She self-publishes books through blurb.com using both her writing and photography skills and her latest book is titled “Northwest Passage.” She writes a photography blog on destinations, techniques, and tips and gives photography presentations at bird festivals and other events. Through the years, her style evolved from photographing landscapes, people, wildlife, and commercial work through-out the western United States, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Canada. Sponsored by Quality Printing.

SUNDAY, MAY 3 BEAVERS AND WATERSHED CONSERVATION

9-10:30 a.m. Beavers are important creatures in stream conservation In smaller streams where beavers build dams, they affect stream ecology and watershed processes in several ways. They improve the quality of habitat for trout, juvenile salmon, and a wide variety of wildlife. Beaver ponds have positive effects on productivity and nutrient cycling in coastal streams, and on streamflow and groundwater interactions. Of course, beavers can also be pests by plugging culverts, flooding agricultural lands, and eating valued trees and plants. In this talk presented by Wayne Hoffman, attendees will include techniques for avoiding these problems and fostering peaceful coexistence between beavers and humans. A native Oregonian, Wayne earned a bachelor and masters degree in zoology from Oregon State University and a Ph.D in Biology from the University of South Florida. After postdoctoral study with the Kansas Biological Survey, he worked for the National Audubon Society until 1998, when he returned to Oregon. His education and work experience to this point was in ecology with a focus on birds, but with a secondary emphasis of population biology. Much of this work was with fish‐eating birds, and required quite a bit of understanding of fish population dynamics. He has also worked for the MidCoast Watersheds Council for the past 17 years where he concentrates on restoration of aquatic habitat in the mid-coast area, with particular attention to Coho Salmon rearing habitat. Sponsored by Proposal Rock Inn. PUFFLING—THE NATURAL HISTORY OF A PUFFIN CHICK 11 a.m.-noon. Ram Papish will read his upcoming children’s book “Puffling” and share the process of making it, as well as revealing his secret techniques for creating illustrations and share many dramatic puffin photographs from Alaska and Oregon. The presentation is targeted at both children and adults. Ram considers himself to be a professional bird enthusiast combining his education in fine art with his experiences working as a field biologist to create artistic and accurate wildlife images. For 20-plus field seasons, Ram studied birds and other wildlife in Panama, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Florida, Texas and remote islands in Alaska. In 2012, he retired from the “bio bum” lifestyle to concentrate on his first love: wildlife art. He authored and illustrated two children’s books: “The Little Fox” and “The Little Seal.” His illustrations appear in many other books and publications, including the Handbook of Oregon Birds. Sponsored by Kiwanda Coastal Properties.

Birding & Blues Festival Founding Members Anchorage Motel • Beach Dog Supply • Vern and Sharon Johnson • Beppu Gallery • Betwixt and Betweeen • Central Oregon Coast Real Estate Guide • Coastway Construction • Dale Gibson • Delicate Palate Bistro Desy’s Sweet Shop & Doll Gallery • Diana Johnson Voila Gallery • Eagle’s View Bed & Breakfast • EOG Enterprises, LLC • Gary Lesniak and Sherry Casper • GH Construction • Gilliam Smith, Tillamook • Grateful Bread Bakery & Restaurant • Haystack Fishing Club • Headlight-Herald • Hudson House Bed & Breakfast • Inn at Cape Kiwanda • Johnson & Company • Manna Music • Mary J. Jones • Migrations Espresso, Books & Nature • Nestucca Ridge Development Inc. • Nestucca Valley Recycling, Hebo • News Register, McMinnville • Oregon Lithoprint Inc., McMinnville • Pacific City Inn • Pacific City Mini Storage • Pacific City Shell & Grocery • Pacific City Tidewater • Pacific Seawatch • Paul & Linda Jinneman, Leavenworth, WA • Paul & Sandy Carbaugh, Cloverdale • Pea Sea Deli-Store • Pete Anderson Realty • Port Storage, Cloverdale • Renditions Fine Art • Rick and Holly Nelson • Riverview Lodge Motel RV Park & Marina • Robert Rodakowski, Rockaway • Roger K./Glenys Rada, Neskowin • Sandpiper Realty • Scott Culp & Linda Meinig • Sea View Vacation Rentals • Shirley’s Smile Shoppe • Sportsman’s Pub-n-Grub • The Rental Center, Tillamook • The Riverhouse Restaurant • Terimore Lodging By The Sea • Tillamook Bay Community College • Tillamook People’s Utililty District • TLC Federal Credit Union, Tillamook • Village Coffee Shoppe • Village Merchants • Whiskey Creeek Cafe, Netarts • Yamhill County RE Guide, McMinnville

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Must See Birds

Birding inspiration offered by Northwest guidebook authors

n 2011, Sarah Swanson and Max Smith suddenly found themselves tasked with writing a book about the Pacific Northwest’s birds. They traveled the Northwest for the next year and a half, watching and profiling a wide variety of the region’s must-see birds. It’s an experience they’ll share with Birding & Blues Festival guests on Saturday, May 2. “Must-see Birds of the Pacific Northwest: Finding Our Favorites in Oregon and Washington,” will feature stories about the birds they researched for the book and give festival attendees tips for finding their favorites. During their 11 a.m-noon presentation at Kiawanda Community Center, Swanson and Smith, who have been birding in Pacific City for 12 years, will also provide insights into the biology and behavior of the birds that will help all to locate and appreciate them. Their presentation will also be highlighted by stunning color photographs as Swanson and Smith take avian enthusiasts on a journey where they discovered more about birds and birding. “I think the presentation will be of interest to anyone who enjoys birding in Oregon and Washington and is looking for new ideas for places to go and birds to see,” Swanson said. The duo says that the Pacific Northwest is a great place for birding, noting that those on the alert can find Western Grebes dancing on water, or hear the Pacific Wren’s song cascade through a mossy forest. They hail “Must-See Birds of the Pacific Northwest” as a lively, practical guide that helps readers discover 85 of the region’s most extraordinary birds. Each bird profile includes notes on what they eat, where they migrate from, and where to find them in Washington and Oregon. Many of these birds, says Smith, can be found on the Oregon Coast — depending on the time of the year. The book devotes one chapter to beach birds. Not the typical birding guide, the book also includes a section that details ideas for taking birding weekends — at different times throughout the year — in various locations in both Oregon and Washington. “It’s not a field guide,” says Swanson. “It’s more of a book to get you inspired to go out and go birding.” Sponsored by Nestucca Adventures

Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival • Page 5

2015 FESTIVAL FIELD TRIPS

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Photo courtesy of Pacific City Sun

Hiking the Trails Nearly three miles of hiking paths await at Two Rivers Peninsula

his year’s Birding and Blues Festival features an inaugural hike on newlyminted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land: Two Rivers Peninsula at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The 102-acre tract — formerly a Jesuit retreat, acquired by the Service in 2013— juts into the confluence of the Nestucca and Little Nestucca rivers, comprising upland forest, freshwater shoreline and tideland habitats at the northern tip of Cannery Hill. Two Rivers Peninsula boasts almost three miles of trails, all established previously by members of the Jesuit retreat. Hikers will head north from the Pacific View Trailhead toward the peninsula’s tip, passing alongside a portion of Cannery Hill’s coastal prairie restoration project, a conservation effort aimed to benefit the federally threatened Oregon Silverspot Butterfly. Blooming Early Blue Violets and lush clumps of Idaho Fescue grass signal the prairie’s progress to date. From there hikers enter a mixed forest of Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Red Alder and Big-Leaf Maple. Shrubs such as Salmonberry, Red Huckleberry, Red Elderberry, Evergreen Huckleberry, and Salal are heavy with flowers and burgeoning fruit. The understory teems with blooming wildflowers: Bleeding Heart, Fawn Lily, Siberian Spring Beauty, Wood Sorrel, Trillium and others. Rough-skinned Newts amble across the trail, disappearing behind curtains of fern; six-inch Banana Slugs exude a lurid sheen against backdrops of virid moss and variegated lichens. Keen observers will note the presence of furtive wildlife, whether by identifying the calls of migratory songbirds—Pacific Wren, Pacificslope Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red Crossbill and Orange-crowned Warbler, among others—and resident raptors or discovering tracks and sign of Black-tailed Deer, Bobcat, owls, Roosevelt Elk and Coyote. Near the peninsula’s edges lie tideland habitat used by shorebirds, River Otter, mink, and a variety of estuarine fish including Coho and Chinook Salmon. Sponsored by Inn at Pacific City

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THREE CAPES SCENIC TOUR 8 a.m.-3 p.m. A 60-mile round trip takes birders along the Three Capes Scenic Route from Pacific City to Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge and back again via an inland road. During the five-hour birding trip (plus two driving hours), the group will see views of the Pacific Ocean, bays, headlands, forests, rivers and pastures — each a unique birding habitat. Birders can expect to see more than 50 species, including waterfowl, loons, grebes and raptors. Stops on the northbound leg of the trip include Whalen Island and Cape Lookout State Park. There is a $40 fee to participate in the tour. This trip is limited to 20 people, so register early to secure a spot. Box lunches can be purchased for $10 extra. John Rakestraw, nationally known birder, author and naturalist, and Dawn Harris from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be our guides. Sponsored by Sportsman’s Pub-n-Grub. TILLAMOOK CO. PIONEER MUSEUM 2-4 p.m. Admission by donation only. Visit the Alex Walker Natural History Room where hundreds of bird species, including many Northwest birds, as well as other local animals including seal, sea otter, deer, beaver and bobcat specimens are on display. The collection was put together by naturalist Alex Walker in the early 20th century. These are hidden treasures in the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, 2106 2nd St., Tillamook. Take this opportunity to stop by on your way from Portland, or from other local areas, to view this unique collection.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 TWO RIVERS PENINSULA 7:45-10:15 a.m. Get a sneak peek at the newest addition to Nestucca Bay Refuge. The 192 acres Two Rivers Peninsula culminates at the confluence of the Nestucca and the Little Nestucca River and a series of trails wind through dense, mossy-covered forest and alongside the tidal shores of the bay. We’ll look for woodland songbirds, woodpeckers and shorebirds. Dawn Harris, from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Pete Owston, retired US Forest Service Ecologist and coast watcher, Jack Hurt, expert birder and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer, and Jared Jebousek, biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge complex, will lead this walk. Sponsored by Inn at Pacific City. CLAY MYERS STATE NATURAL AREA 8-10:30 a.m. Whalen Island is the home of Clay Myers State Natural Area and is one of the hidden jewels of the Oregon Coast. This easy 1.5 mile walking tour takes birders through 200 acres of woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, dunes, bogs and protected beaches. The wood chip and sand laid path and mild

up-and-down section make it a doable walk for all. John Rakestraw, naturalist and author of Birding Oregon, Jarod Jebousek, biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge complex, and Peter Pearsall, US Fish and Wildlife intern with a passion for the Pacific Northwest and enjoys birding, will lead this trip. Sponsored by Oregon Coast Today. NESTUCCA BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 8-10:30 a.m. Take a walk through the woods and along a short-grass dairy pasture where a variety of geese make their winter home. In the pastures expect to see some of these species, including the Cackling and Canada Geese. In the woodlands we’ll search for hummingbirds, chickadees, kinglets, warblers, sparrows and finches. This is a longer walk that includes elevation changes and some mud. Dick Demarest, a volunteer field trip leader for the Audubon Society and Yaquina Birders and Naturalists and has enjoyed over 60 years of birding; Graham Klag, Education Coordinator for Salmon River Drift Creek Watershed Council; Pamela Johnston, a widely traveled birder and currently president of the Oregon Birding Association; Peter Pearsall, US Fish and Wildlife intern with a passion for the Pacific Northwest who enjoys birding; Sarah Swanson, environmental educator for the Audubon Society of Portland; and Max Smith, wildlife biologist with the U.S. Forest Service will lead this trip. Swanson and Smith are authors of Must-see Birds of the Pacific Northwest. Sponsored by Oregon Coast Bank. BIRDING BY EAR 8-10:30 a.m. Most beginning birders identify birds by what they look like. After spending time in our lush, dense Northwest habitats they realize that our fine feathered friends are often easier to hear than see. This field trip will concentrate on listening for birds and identifying them by their songs and call notes. (But don’t worry, we will do some looking too.) Ram Papish, professional wildlife artist and well-traveled birder will lead this walk on an easy local trail. Sponsored by Shorepine Vacation Rentals. BEGINNING BIRDING CLASS & FIELD TRIP 9-11 a.m. Laura Whittemore who is also giving a beginning birding class at the festival will lead this field trip. It will be an easy walk at a local birding site. Only people who attend Laura’s indoor class may participate in this field trip. Participation is limited. Sponsored by Seaview Vacation Rentals. FOREST DISCOVERY WALK 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Discover more about the forest around you. Linda Brodeur will lead you on an easy walk in a nearby forested area where you will learn how to identify the trees and

Getting to the Festival Pacific City is located in South Tillamook County, between Lincoln City and Tillamook, on the Three Capes Scenic Drive. Less than 2 hours from Portland and one hour from Salem, our beautiful beaches and scenic areas hide from the rest of the world. Visit PacificCity.com or call (503) 965-6247 for directions.

The Birding & Blues Festival is presented by the Pacific CityNestucca Valley Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

2015 FESTIVAL FIELD TRIPS shrubs and pick up interesting facts about how trees grow. Linda is a forestry educator for the Oregon Women in Timber’s “Talk about Trees” program. Linda has a B.A. in Biology, and her varied experience has included working as a zookeeper at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. and as a Marine Science educator for Oregon Sea Grant. Sponsored by Oar House Bar & Grill. WETLANDS RESTORATION WALK 3-5:30 p.m. Alex Sifford, coordinator for the Nestucca, Neskowin and Sandlake Watersheds Council, will lead a trip to the recent wetlands restoration area of the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge that lies east of Highway 101 between the Little Nestucca River and the Little Nestucca River Road. Alex will describe the restoration work and talk about its ecological benefits. The Watershed Council, based in Pacific City, undertakes restoration and education projects using 100 percent grant funding. Sponsored by Jo Rack & Frank Gomer. E-BIRD 3-5:30 p.m. Bird counts count! Everyone can be involved. Learning how to use the E-bird app on your smartphone is a fun and easy way to begin identifying and counting birds and to create and begin managing your own list. Most important, you will contribute to a rich data source for basic information on bird abundance and distribution. In time these data will become the foundation for a better understanding of bird distribution across the western hemisphere and beyond. E-Bird is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and began in 2002. You’ll start with a classroom session to learn more about bird counts, the basics of E-Bird, and how to utilize it as you identify many local birds. Then, you’ll follow your guide on an easy local trail to practice your new skills. Bring a smartphone to the fieldtrip and/or share one with a friend. It is not required, but to make the most of your experience, you are invited to go to ebird.org to register on the E-Bird site ahead of the fieldtrip. Graham Klag, the Education Coordinator for the Salmon River Drift Creek Watershed Council and an enthusiastic birder and naturalist will be your teacher and guide. Sponsored by Kiwanda Coastal Properties. NESKOWIN MARSH 3-5:30 p.m. This three-mile walk in easy terrain is led by expert local birders. You will walk along Hawk Creek as you traverse ideal habitat for sparrows, vireos, kinglets, warblers, wrens, dippers and snipe and then along the Neskowin marsh golf course to look for a variety of ducks and shorebirds. From there, you will take a short trail into wildlife refuge lands and along the beach. Ken Chamberlain, a retired Land Surveyor who is a local Tillamook County and Oregon birding enthusiast; Nate Richardson, habitat biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service; Pamela Johnston, president of Oregon Birding Association who has birded since college and studied ornithology at PSU; and Laura Whittemore, who teaches beginning birding classes through the Audubon Society of Portland, will lead this trip. Sponsored by Grey Fox Rentals.

SUNDAY, MAY 3 TWO RIVERS PENINSULA 7:45-10:15 a.m. Get a sneak peek at the newest addition to Nestucca Bay Refuge. The 192 acres Two Rivers Peninsula culminates at the confluence of the Nestucca and the Little Nestucca River and a series of trails wind through dense, mossy-covered forest and alongside the tidal shores of the bay. We’ll look for woodland songbirds, woodpeckers and shorebirds. Dawn, Pete Owston, Jack Hurt, and Jared will lead this walk. Sponsored by Inn at Cape Kiwanda. E-BIRD 3-5:30 p.m. Bird counts count! Learning how to use the E-bird app on your smartphone is a fun and easy way to begin identifying and counting birds and to create and begin managing your own list. E-Bird is sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and began in 2002. You’ll start with a classroom session to learn more about bird counts, the basics of E-Bird, and how to utilize it as you identify many local birds. Then, you’ll follow your guide on an easy local trail to practice your new skills. Bring a smartphone to the fieldtrip and/or share one with a friend. Graham Klag will be your teacher and guide. Sponsored by Pelican Pub & Brewery. NESTUCCA BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 7:45-10:15 a.m. Take a walk through the woods and along a short-grass dairy pasture where a variety of geese make their winter home. In the pastures expect to see some of these species, including the Cackling and Canada Geese. In the woodlands we’ll search for hummingbirds, chickadees, kinglets, warblers, sparrows and finches. This is a longer walk that includes elevation changes and some mud. Dick Demarest, Graham Klag, Pamela Johnston, Peter Pearsall, Sarah Swanson, and Max Smith will lead this trip. Sponsored by Quality Printing. NESKOWIN MARSH 8-10:30.m. This three-mile walk in easy terrain is led by expert local birders. You will walk along Hawk Creek as you traverse ideal habitat for sparrows, vireos, kinglets, warblers, wrens, dippers and snipe and then along the Neskowin marsh golf course to look for a variety of ducks and shorebirds. Ken Chamberlain, Nate Richardson, Pamela Johnston, and Laura Whittemore will lead this trip. Sponsored by Proposal Rock Inn. FOREST DISCOVERY WALK 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Discover more about the forest around you. Linda Brodeur will lead you on an easy walk in a nearby forested area where you will learn how to identify the trees and shrubs and pick up interesting facts about how trees grow. Sponsored by Sportsman’s Pub-n-Grub. WETLANDS RESTORATION WALK 3-5:30 p.m. Alex Sifford, coordinator for the Nestucca, Neskowin and Sandlake Watersheds Council, will lead a trip to the recent wetlands restoration area of the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge that lies east of Highway 101 between the Little Nestucca River and the Little Nestucca River Road. Alex will describe the restoration work and talk about its ecological benefits. Sponsored by Cafe on Hawk Creek.

Courtesy photo

A Unique Vantage Point Nestucca Adventures offers Birding & Blues kayak trips

irders looking for a unique vantage point to get up close with wildlife of the Nestucca River and Estuary are invited to book a guided kayak tour during the 2015 Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival. Tours are available on both Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3. The two-hour tours will embark at 8 a.m. each day from the dock of Nestucca Adventures, which offers easy access to the river. Nestucca Adventures is located on the Nestucca River at 34650 Brooten Road in downtown Pacific City. Tours will be either run 4.5 miles south to the mouth of the bay or 4.5 miles upstream where the tidal river turns into slow, shallow rapids. The tour direction will depend on weather conditions, but either way offers stunning scenery along with the thrill of paddling a tidally influenced river. To sign up for the tours, festival goers should register directly with Nestucca Adventures at 503-965-0060 or mailto: nestuccaadventures@gmail.com. Kayak rentals cost $65 per person and include a half-hour set up and instruction, two hours on the water, a professional guide and all necessary gear. Space is limited. Those with their own kayak are welcome to tag along at no charge. Sponsored by Nestucca Adventures

Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival • Page 7

2015 FESTIVAL CONCERTS

Photo courtesy of Pacific City Sun Courtesy photo

THE FABULOUS ROOF SHAKERS will bring their high-energy act to the Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival on Saturday, May 2. Admission is $15 for the 8 p.m. concert.

High Energy Blues

or a high-energy exclamation point to a day of birding, hiking and plenty of nature seminars, festival attendees can step into the night on Saturday, May 2 with the sounds of the Fabulous Roof Shakers, a five-piece band featuring veteran rhythm and blues players from Detroit, Los Angeles, Queens-New York, Seattle and San Francisco. The concert will be held at Kiawanda Community Center, starting at 8 p.m. Veterans of many large festivals and venues including The Bite of Seattle, The Pike Place Market Centennial Celebration, North Bend Summer Concert Series, and the Des Moines Blues and Brews Festival, the Fabulous Roof Shakers plays danceable music ranging from New Orleans blues to Chicago blues, from R& B to Texas shuffle and more. The group has played together since 2005 and features bass player/vocalist Bruce Koenigsberg, drummer Conrd Ormsby, vocalist/harmonica player Joe Blue, saxophonist/vocalist Gordon Benson and guitarist Paul Sommer. Born in Detroit, Koenigsberg is one of Seattle’s premier blues bass players and is a founding member of the group. Prior to forming FRS, he was co-founder of The

JamDogs. Hailing from East Los Angeles, Ormsby began playing drums at age 11 and played at the Monteray Jazz Festival while still a teenager. Since moving to Seattle, he has played with many in the local blues scene including Tim Sherman, Paul Green and Cold Shot, and the Led Jackson Band, amongst others. Front man Joe Blue is a former Capitol Records recording artist and has performed with such blues greats as John Lee Hooker, Marsha Ball, Steve Bassett, Roomful of Blues and Ronnie Earl. The only band member born and raised in the Northwest, Gordon Benson has played in various Northwest bands including Back Room, Mad Hatter and Blue Field. Paul Sommer studied music and recording in San Francisco and managed Gelb Music in Redwood City. He has played with the Blue Mountain, as well as the Gary Smith Blues Band. He also later performed with the Hayden Project, playing regularly at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Admission to the concert is $15. Specially priced festival passes that include concert admission are also available.

THE T-BONES features a three-piece band that has played blues and old rock’n roll throughout the Northwest for 25 years.

Rockin’ the House Blues standards to be on tap as T-Bones play May 1 concert

irding & Blues attendees are invited to trade their hiking boots for some dancing shoes on Friday, May 1, when The T-Bones bring their rockin’ blues to the Kiawanda Community Center for an 8 p.m. concert. Featuring Jammie Lile on bass and vocals, Lynn King on drums on Lynn Axtell on guitar, blues harp and vocals the band plays a variety of blues standards, originals, and old rock & roll. It’s a longstanding group — with all three members having played together for 25 years — that says put an emphasis on dancing and having a good time. Together they’ve toured all around the Northwest for many years, playing at everything from festivals to backyards. Admission is $15 to the concert, which runs from 8-11 p.m., at Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City. There are also specially priced festival passes available that include concert admission.