Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival by Point Roberts Press

11TH ANNUAL

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

northweSt B i rd in g FeStiVaL

MARCH 14-17, 2013

BLAINE • BIRCH BAY • SEMIAHMOO

Thursday, March 14

Saturday, March 16

4:30 p.m.–7 p.m. Cost: Free

ALL DAY BIRDING EXPO 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk Opening Reception Via Cafe & Bistro 7829 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay

Blaine Middle School 975 H Street, Blaine

Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk will feature a number of artists’ works exhibited in businesses around the bay including this year’s featured festival artist Vivian Mazzola. The gallery walk will continue during the festival through Sunday, March 17. Artwork will be for sale.

Free activities for the whole family! There will be indoor and outdoor activities to mix and match according to interests and the weather including live raptor presentations by Sardis Raptor Center, wildlife exhibits and displays, kids’ activities including build your own bird house, workshops and expert speaker presentations, ﬁeld trips and more!

Friday, March 15

Saturday, March 16

Blaine Bouquets 625 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine

Blaine Performing Arts Center 975 H Street, Blaine

5 p.m.–7 p.m. Wings Over Water Opening & Artist Reception Wine Tasting

SEE COMPLETE ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE ON PAGE 4

Featured Presentation Vasiliy Baranyuk 5 p.m. Cost: Free

Snow Geese & Other Wildlife of the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve, Russia.

Sunday, March 17

Birders’ Breakfast Buffet 9 a.m.–11 a.m. Cost: $13 CJ’s Beach House Restaurant 7878 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay Enjoy a great breakfast buffet presentation by expert birder, Joe Meche. Facebook.com/WingsOverWater

NW PARK & RECREATION City of Blaine

DISTRICT 2

www.WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com

“We Make House Calls”

Blaine

Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Center

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

Photographing

BirdS

By Joe Meche

Modern photographs were preceded in prehistoric times by cave paintings and pictographs that were the handiwork of individuals whose passion was to share images of the world around them. Though techniques have certainly changed over the millennia, the goal is still the same – increase awareness of the world around us and specifically add to the understanding of the other creatures that live here as well. I first embraced the magic of photography as a freshman in high school when I joined the photography club. Considering how long ago that was and the tools that were available at the time, I was able to learn about the basics of the equipment, as well as the finer details of time and light and how it all works together to create the finished product. Fast forward to today’s digital technology and anyone can become a competent photographer, though it would be good to have a basic understanding of the process. With today’s vast array of equipment well within reach of most budgets, anyone can pursue nature photography and produce amazing results. Regardless of the size of your budget, there are cameras that are available to suit everyone’s needs. The determining factor is whether you wish to pursue this as a hobby, a career or simply as a passion. Everyone will have a different approach but there are essentials to consider. I was passionate about birds long before I considered the idea of shar-

ing the images that I was seeing in the field. As I continued my own pursuit of better images of more birds, I found that I was learning more about the behavior of the subjects than ever before. Whether you’re watching a pair of birds building a nest or observing the feeding techniques of different species, your knowledge of the birds is pursuit of better images, but it is essen- Great Washington State Birding Trail. tial. Throughout the year, birds will be Locations where birds utilize available certain to increase. Many bird photographs tend to going through their normal routines food sources will always provide ample be stock images of individual birds or and we, the observers, need to under- opportunities for aspiring bird photogeven large flocks of birds. To bring life stand the privilege we have to sit in on raphers. Bird sanctuaries and wildlife to the birds is to capture them in their the drama as it unfolds. The single best refuges are ideal for observing and natural habitats, displaying a range of thing to remember is to give the birds photographing birds, especially since behavioral characteristics from feeding their space—don’t crowd the birds just the birds seem to understand the relaand foraging to courtship displays and to get your shot. In winter, birds are in tive security of these safe havens. more. Flight shots provide more oppor- survival mode so be sensitive to their Two additional components are necessary to succeed as a bird photunities to illustrate and understand needs beyond your own. tographer and cannot be purchase: The best places to photograph birds individual feather patterns, and in the patience and a willingness to spend are wherever you find them and few process offer the budding photograplaces can compare with the Blaine, inordinate amounts of time where the pher a formidable challenge. The best equipment to use for pho- Semiahmoo and Birch Bay area for birds are. Like any other pursuit, your tographing birds is the best equipment viewing birds. The large numbers of skills will improve with practice and an you can afford. At the same time, you wintering birds in these protected understanding of the equipment you will need to consider the responsibility waters were key to this area gaining have chosen to use. While you learn of carrying heavy lenses and a tripod recognition as one of Washington’s more about your equipment and your when you’re out in the field. Try not premier Important Bird Areas and as subjects, chances are you will also learn to suffer too much from lens envy. It’s the anchor for the Cascade Loop of the more about yourself. a natural instinct to always want a bigger lens, but bigger is not always better and you have to remember that you will be the and other wildlife of the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve, Russia one shouldering the load. Saturday, March 16, 2013, 5 p.m. The basic etiquette of bird watching is Blaine Performing Arts Center often overlooked in

Featured Presentation

S n ow Geese

Sponsored by Kathy Stauffer, Windermere Real Estate

En joy ou r

Experience Authentic, Affordable Thai Cuisine & Waterfront Dining

360-332-3267

Birdseye View! Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 Day A Week!

825 Peace Portal Dr., Blaine • www.ChadaThaiUsa.com

Vasiliy Baranyuk, a renowned Russian biologist, has studied the wildlife on Wrangel Island, Russia. Considered to be some of the most remote Arctic wilderness on the planet, Baranyuk has spent the last thirty summers with stretches as long as 87 days without seeing another human. This northernmost World Heritage site has the highest density of polar bear dens, the most plants of any Arctic area and was the last place on earth with a thriving Woolly Mammoth population. Baranyuk will share his experiences of more than three decades in this remarkable place and its magnificent wildlife through stunning photography that includes incredible landscapes and snow geese, snowy owls, polar bears, wolves, wolverines, musk oxen and reindeer. Please join us for this entertaining and informative presentation!

Welcome Birders

Discover

Try our delicious

Valeri Wade

Visitor moorage & conference room available

Call Now for Details

360-647-6176

blaineharbor@portofbellingham.com

We’ll see you at 2:30 on Saturday!

Permanent moorage available

Fresh seed • Healthy birds • Happy people Tues.-Fri. 10-5:30

Sat. 10-4

Free workshop with Valeri Wade

calzones Dine In • To Go • Delivery

“Who Eats What... or Whom?” Blaine Middle School

705 Kentucky St. • Bellingham • 360-734-0969

WildBirdChalet.com

Homemade soups salad Bar & specialty salads Pasta • Pizza sandwiches

We Deliver! 332-3636 738 Peace Portal Dr., downtown Blaine

ALL ABOUT THE B i rdS

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

Photos & Text By Joe Meche

JOE MECHE has been watching birds for 60 years and shares his passion in his writing and stun-

ning photography. His efforts were instrumental in Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo becoming an Important Birding Area as well as the gateway of the Cascade Loop of the Washington State Birding Trail. He has been the president of the North Cascades Audubon since 2007.

BALD EAGLE: Our magnificent national symbol is well represented in this area. Several breeding pairs nest locally and all ages can be observed searching for prey around Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay. The snags on the Semiahmoo Spit are regular resting stops for eagles of all ages. NORTHERN PINTAIL: This dabbling duck is perhaps the most numerous waterfowl species to be found in local waters during the winter months. The protected south end of Drayton Harbor is often covered with pintails during stormy weather.

LONG-TAILED DUCK: This deep-diving Arctic duck winters in local waters and the male, unlike most bird species, is more colorful in winter than it is during the breeding season. As flocks congregate on open water, their yodeling calls can be heard from shoreline vantage points. PACIFIC BLACK BRANT: The Pacific black brant is the iconic bird of the Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival. This unique sea goose is about the size of a mallard and stages one of the most remarkable migrations of all birds. The majority of brant leave their nesting grounds in the Arctic and fly non-stop to Baja for the winter. In late winter and spring, their numbers increase locally as the northbound migration nears. COMMON LOON: This is one of the largest of the three species of loons that frequent the deep water channel leading into Drayton Harbor between Semiahmoo and White Rock, B.C. These magnificent divers are easy to find and a joy to observe from numerous accessible sites. The loons spend the winter here and it’s always a joy to see them as they begin to change into their breeding plumage in early spring. SURF SCOTER: Of the three species of scoters wintering in local waters, the surf scoter is the most numerous. Good numbers of males, females and juveniles can be seen foraging in the shallow waters along Marine Drive and even under the public pier at the end of the road.

New WOW Field Trip Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival has added a new field trip this year to Birch Bay. The shallow bay and sandy beaches offer good viewing sites for many water birds, especially at Birch Bay State Park. This time of year hundreds of Brant geese can be seen graveling up on the edge of the shoreline. In the upland areas above the beach, wetlands have become attractive sites for many species of songbirds, birds of prey and waterfowl. Adjacent to Birch Bay, thousands of acres are owned by British Petroleum. Their naturalist will explain the wetland mitigation that has been done to create a rich habitat for many birds and wildlife. On the scenic bus ride to Birch Bay, Jim Jorgensen, a retired geology and ornithology teacher, will discuss the local geology. This is an excellent landscape to see the effects of glacial activity from 10,000 years ago, according to Jorgensen.

Featured Artist: Vivian Mazzola, a renowned Bellingham artist, has been selected as the Featured Artist for the 2013 Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival. She is currently working on a series of paintings created exclusively for the festival that are inspired by her fascination with herons and the serene beauty of wetlands, marshes and beaches of Birch Bay. Her paintings are inspired by her surroundings as well as her travels. Using the impasto technique, a combination of thin and thick oils on canvas to accent color and express movement, gives a three-dimensional appearance to her paintings of landscapes, gardens and wildlife. You are invited to an exhibit of her work at the following receptions: Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk Opening Reception Thursday, March 14, 4:30–7 p.m. Via Café & Bistro, 7829 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay Wings Over Water Opening Reception and Wine Tasting Event Friday, March 15, 5–7 p.m. Blaine Bouquet’s Flowers, Wine and Gift Shop 625 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine Her work will be displayed Friday through Sunday, March 14-17.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMO- WESTERN GREBE: One of the RANT: One of the largest cor- most striking and graceful of morant nesting colonies on the west coast is on the end of the breakwater at the Blaine Harbor. The colony is easily viewed with a scope from the public pier at the end of Marine Drive.

the local grebe species, the western grebe is a frequent visitor in the deepwater channels and throughout Drayton Harbor.

Welcome

Birders & Bird Watchers!

& GIFTS

Home of Dawn's

"Made in Birch Bay" Unique Birdhouses handmade with beach materials

Transform your yard into a bird-friendly habitat

COMMON GOLDENEYE: One of two goldeneye species found locally. These diving sea ducks prefer shallow, protected waters and are often found foraging on mussels that cling to pilings and are exposed at low tide.

The Blaine/Birch Bay communities have gone cuckoo over our fabulous birds. And ... don’t forget to come again and bring your friends! L AW O F F I C E S O F

ROGER ELLINGSON

RAJEEV MAJUMDAR, ASSOCIATE

A law ofﬁce serving bird watchers and birders alike, and always impressed by dunlins in ﬂight.

Plus Mac's Critters bird puzzles!

Bird Feeders

For more than a century, the Audubon Society has worked to conserve and promote healthy habitats to sustain birds and wildlife. Now, these feeders can help you transform your yard into a bird sanctuary and personal retreat.

1999

799

1999

Durable feeder opens at the top for easy ﬁlling and cleaning. 3-lb. capacity. L 143 289 B4

Colorful feeder is ﬁlled with sugar, just add water. 10-oz. nectar capacity. L 143 287 B16

Lovely natural cedar birdhouse is fully assembled and ready to mount. L 143 272 B3

Oil Sunflower Feeder

Pre-filled Hummingbird Feeder

10off

Cedar Bluebird House

M-F: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM • Sat: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM • Sun: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

When 2677 you Bellpurchase Road, Blaine Pacific Building Center $50 360-332-5335 or more worth 2677 Bell Road - Blaine, WA 98230 of birding www.pacificbuilding.com accessories. www.pacificbuilding.com

Buy any 4, get 1 free

Valid at participating True Value stores 3/14/13 to 3/17/13

One coupon per household. Not redeemable for cash. Not valid with any other offer. Not refundable. Not transferable. Void where prohibited. Customer responsible for all taxes. See store for details.

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-5, Sun 11-4

371-0332

7620 Birch Bay Drive

289 H Street, downtown Blaine • 360-332-7000 www.NorthWhatcomLaw.com

on all birding supplies.

2677 Bell Road, Blaine 360-332-5335 www.pacificbuilding.com

One free item per person. Offer good 3/14/13 to 3/17/13.

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

SaturdaY eVentS SCheduLe 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: WOW Festival activities and information Where: Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street The hub for all of the weekend’s birding events. Stop by here for most activities, presentations, maps and information. All ticket sales will be held at this location. 10 a.m. until gone: Kids’ birdhouse building Where: Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street, Blaine Build a bird house to invite the local birds to make your backyard their home. (For kids up to age 14, while supplies last.) Recommended donation: $1 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: North Cascades Audubon Society Bird viewing stations Where: Blaine Marine Park, Blaine Public Pier, Semiahmoo Park and Birch Bay State Park Knowledgeable birders from North Cascades Audubon are on hand to assist and answer questions. Cost: Free 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wildlife & Geology ﬁeld trip to Semiahmoo Spit with Jim Jorgensen Where: Ticket sales/bus departure from Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street Take a scenic bus ride around Drayton Harbor to Semiahmoo Spit, a 1.25 mile natural spit that is rich in history, geology and opportunities to view wildlife. Dress appropriately for inclement weather. Cost: $5 per person, includes snack. Registration required. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Plover Passenger Ferry nature cruises The historic Plover Ferry will be taking passengers on about a 45-minute nature cruise of Drayton Harbor & Semiahmoo Bay with wildlife biologist Dick McNealy. Dress appropriately for inclement weather. Departure: On the hour from Blaine Boating Center Dock. Last departure is 3 p.m. Free shuttle available to and from Blaine Middle School to Blaine Boating Center. Cost: $5 per person, roundtrip. Registration required. (Sorry, no ticket sales from the dock). 10 a.m. to noon: Wildlife presentation: “Eagles from the Mountains to the Sea” by Wildlife Biologist David Hancock Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center, 975 H Street David Hancock is a biologist, ﬁlmmaker, writer and publisher who has been

Birds and birders love Blaine! Visit us often! June - September: Blaine Gardener’s Market, Peace Arch International Sculpture Exhibition

lecturing and teaching about wildlife and conservation for over 50 years. Cost: Free 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk Where: Birch Bay Visitor Center, 7900 Birch Bay Drive Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk will feature a number of artist exhibits, including this year’s Featured Festival Artist Vivian Mazzola, in businesses around the bay. Cost: Free, artwork will be for sale. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Alaska Packers Association Cannery and Fishing Museum Where: 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway Experience the history of Blaine’s fish cannery days, housed in an original Alaska Packers cannery building. Cost: Free, donations welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Workshop: “Gardening for Birds” by Master Gardener Sue Taylor Where: Blaine Middle School Classroom, 975 H Street Sue will use her skills and knowledge collected over a lifetime as a teacher, native plan nursery owner, and dedicated steward of the environment to show you how to transform your yard into a haven for birds. Cost: Free Noon to 1:30 p.m and 2:30 to 4 p.m: Live Raptor Presentation: “Hunters of the Sky” by Sardis Raptor Center Where: Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street This is an exciting opportunity to have up-close encounters with many magnificent birds of prey including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. Cost: Free Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Wildlife Presentation: “Wintering Birds of the Salish Sea” by Joe Meche, North Cascades Audubon Where: Blaine Performing Arts Center, 975 H Street Joe will share about what areas encompass what is now recognized as the Salish Sea and the more than 100 species of birds that make this their home. Cost: Free 1 to 3:30 p.m.: Wildlife & Geology field trip to Birch Bay State Park with Jim Jorgensen Where: Ticket sales/bus departure from Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street Take a scenic bus ride to Birch Bay State Park to learn about this shallow bay estuary. For more information, see page 3. Cost: $5 per person, includes snack

Come Play at Birch Bay! A Birding Paradise!

Visit us again for these fun events!

June 22 & 23: International Art Festival at Peace Arch Park July 4th: Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration with parade, car show, street fair & fireworks July 7-13: Blaine Jazz Festival August 3 & 4: Drayton Harbor Days & tall ships Lady Washington & Hawaiian Chieftain Sundays August 11 - Sept. 1: Peace Arch Park International Concert Series Festival at Peace Arch Park

Blaine Visitor Information Center

728 Peace Portal Dr., downtown Blaine

360-332-4544

www.BlaineChamber.com

Sandcastle Contest June 22 Birch Bay Discovery Days July 20 & 21 Birch Bay Music Festival Aug. 9 - 11

Facebook.com/BirchBayChamber

BirchBayChamber.com

2 p.m. Family wildlife walk, Semiahmoo Spit, sponsored by Let’s Move Blaine and NW Parks and Recreation Where: Meet at Semiahmoo Park, 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway One hour loop walk, scavenger hunt and more. Dress for inclement weather. Cost: Free 2 to 3:30 pm: Wildlife Presentation: “What do Savvy Merlins and Crows Have in Common?” by David Drummond Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center, 975 H Street David will explore how the landscape of the Coastal Temperate Rain Forest has changed and the implications for ﬁnding a mate, a home and a meal. Cost: Free

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Workshop: Who Eats What … Or Whom? by Valeri Wade, owner Wild Bird Chalet Where: Blaine Middle School Classroom, 975 H Street Birds eat seeds, fruit, insects and each other. From vegetarian to carnivore-they thrive in our own back yards. How do we help them? Or should we stay out of the way? Step into the complex domain of birds and ﬁnd out. Cost: Free 5 p.m.: Featured Presentation: “Snow Geese & Other Wildlife of the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve, Russia” by Vasiliy Baranyuk Where: Blaine Performing Arts Center, 975 H Street For more information, see page 2.

Sponsors & Supporters Alcoa Aluminum Birch Bay Chamber Birch Bay Dog and Cat Clinic Birch Bay Waterslides, LLC Blaine Bouquets Blaine Chamber of Commerce Blaine Cost Cutter Blaine School District Blaine West Marine Express BP Cherry Point Reﬁnery Bob & Louis Franco The C Shop City of Blaine Dr. Gunningham, Birch Bay Family Medicine Ed and Pat Kingshott

Kathy Stauffer, Windermere Real Estate Lummi Fisheries Supply Mike Kent, Windermere Real Estate North Cascade Audubon The Northern Light NW Veterinary Clinic Pacific Building Center Praise 106.5 FM Port of Bellingham-Blaine Harbor Blaine Subway Sandwich Shop TC Trading Tabletop Shop Totally Chocolate The Tutor Doctor Washington Brant Foundation We’ve Got the Scoop!

www.thenorthernlight.com 225 Marine Drive, Blaine 360/332-1777 Co-publishers Pat Grubb and Louise Mugar Text and Photos Joe Meche Cover Photo Joe Meche Graphic Design Ruth Lauman Advertising Molly Ernst, Janet McCall