bring

birders to Blaine

March 17-19

The Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival will host an array of activities for the 20th annual event in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo. The festival will run Friday, March 17 to Sunday, March 19.

“This is an exciting time for me when it’s all coming together and all the pieces are fitting,” festival coordinator Debbie Harger said. “We’re getting such a great response from the community. Everything is going really well so we’re excited for it to take place.”

A featured artist opening night reception will kick off the festival at 5 p.m. March 17 at the Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Festival co-founder Maynard Axelson will give a presentation and this year’s featured artist, Laurel Mundy, will display her art, during the reception. The opening event will have a Mexican buffet and no-host bar.

A birding expo will take over the Blaine Community Pavilion, which is next to the senior center, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 18. The expo will have expert speakers, vendors, wildlife exhibits, youth activities and presentations from Sardis Raptor Center. At 5 p.m., keynote speaker Mel Walters, a Puget Sound Energy scientist, will discuss how the company is trying to make operations safer for birds.

A $12 breakfast will start the last day 9-11 a.m. March 19 at Blaine Senior Center. The festival will offer free youth activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at BP Heron Center at Birch Bay State Park. Wild Whatcom and the Blaine Birch-Bay Park and Recreation District 2 will also host guided family bird walks at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday at the BP Heron Center. Parking at the state park will be free on Sunday.

New this year, artist Melanie Jordan will show her bird fractal art at the opening reception, birding expo and family activities at the BP Heron Center. Jordan draws birds on natural objects such as shells, rocks and wood. The festival offers many activities that don’t require registration. Attendees who may not have registered in advance are welome.

The Plover will not be running at this year’s event. For more information on the festival, visit wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com.