Wings Over Water takes flight March 17-19

The Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival will bring the joys of bird watching to Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo for its 20th annual event from Friday, March 17 to Sunday, March 19.

The festival will start with a featured artist opening night

B y G race M c c arthy reception along with a Mexican buffet and a no-host bar at 5 p.m. on March 17 at the Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Festival co-founder Maynard Axelson will discuss the black brant, the festival’s poster bird, as well as waterfowl migration changes along the Pacific Flyway, which runs from Patagonia to Alaska. The festival’s featured artist Laurel Mundy will also showcase her art that highlights ecology and conservation issues during the reception. Opening reception tickets cost $30 and space is limited.

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“If you’ve never had the opportunity to see what’s in your community, it’s a real eye opener,” festival coordinator Debbie Harger said. “It’s addicting once you realize what’s out there.”

Harger encouraged those who want to participate in festival activities to sign up now as many events are already booking up. Registration can be done at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com.

The festival also offers an array of activities that don’t need registration. The all-day birding expo, which does not require registration, will have expert speakers, vendors, wildlife exhibits, youth activities, live raptor presentations from 10 a.m. to 5

(See Birding, page 10)