A Special Publication of The Northern Light
12th Annual
Northwest B i rd in g Festival
Blaine • Birch Bay • Semiahmoo Award-winning photo of a snowy owl by Paul Bannick, who will deliver Saturday’s keynote presentation on owls. See page 2 for details.
March 14-16, 2014 www.WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com
Friday, March 14
Saturday, March 15
Sunday, March 16
Wings Over Water Festival Opening and Artist Reception 6 p.m.– 8 p.m.
All Day Birding Expo 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Breakfast for Birders 9 a.m.– 11 a.m.
Semiahmoo Resort-Golf-Spa
Blaine Middle School 975 H Street, Blaine
CJ’s Beach House Restaurant
9565 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine Cost: Free
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 See Sardis Raptor Center, wildlife exhibits e t e l p m and displays, kids’ activities including co es i t build your own bird house, workshops, Activi expert speaker presentations, field on e l u ed trips and more! sch
Everyone is invited for the Opening and Artist Reception of the 12th annual Wings Over Water Festival at beautiful Semiahmoo Resort. Gail Pappacostas will set the mood for the evening with soothing harp music. Meet our featured Page 4 artist Sylvia Hayden and view an Saturday, March 15 exhibit of her fiber art as well as a gallery of artistic bird images by local Featured Presentation: and professional photographers. Purchase a “Life of Owls” by Paul Bannick commemorative Wings Over Water wine glass for 5 p.m. $5 and enjoy wine tasting!
Cost: Free
Blaine Performing Arts Center 975 H Street, Blaine
Facebook.com/WingsOverWater Corporate Sponsor
Through vivid new images, intimate video, compelling sound and personal narratives, Paul will explore four seasons in the lives of North American owls. Ev e n t S p o n s o r s
Blaine
Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Center
Please see Festival Supporters on page 4
Birch Bay, 7878 Birch Bay Dr. Cost: $13 Adults, $10 Children (under 10) Enjoy a fabulous breakfast buffet and presentation by featured speaker, Noah Strycker. Seating is limited. Reservations recommended. Call 332-4544 or Saturday at Blaine Middle School.
Early Bird Field Trip 9 a.m.– 11 a.m. Semiahmoo Resort
9565 Semiahmoo Parkway Cost: Free Take an early morning walk to discover the birds on Semiahmoo Spit with Joe Meche.
A Special Publication of The Northern Light
A Special Publication of The Northern Light
ABOUT Our Local B irdS
Inspiring conservation:
Paul Bannick to deliver keynote presentation at Wings Over Water Festival When it comes to birds, Paul Bannick is a Northwest legend. An award-winning photographer and published author, Bannick travels the world capturing the art and beauty of the natural world, with particular emphasis on Northwest birds and their habitat. Bannick’s work has made appearances in publications by the American Audubon Society, Smithsonian, National Wildlife Federation and more. He also received the Canon Award for photography at the 2012 International Conservation Photography Awards for a striking photograph of a snowy owl featured on the cover of this special section. “The purpose of my photography is to motivate conservation,” Bannick says. “The many sizes, colors and shapes of birds allow me to address different environments and inspire people to action.” Bannick is about as seasoned as they come and, as the festival’s keynote speaker, he will talk about birds, photography and his efforts to educate the public about conservation. Bannick’s home base is in Seattle, and he’s no stranger to the variety of birds that can be found in the Northwest. The Blaine and Birch Bay area is ideal for bird watching, Bannick says. Every year, mil-
lions of migratory birds journey up and down the Pacific Flyway, all the way from Alaska to the tip of South America. The Pacific Northwest’s estuaries, where salt water meets freshwater, provide food for the hungry birds, who stop in Whatcom County’s flat, wet meadowlands to rest and eat.
BALD EAGLE: The national symbol, these birds are mostly brown with a white head and tail and a yellow, hooked beak. They can be found in nearly all of North America and in Northern Mexico. Large talons on the hind toes make a quick end of any unfortunate prey.
“We protect what we love and we can’t love something without knowing it,” Bannick says. “I hope people at this year’s Wings Over Water will be inspired to learn all they can.”
Photo: Wayne Diaz
Western Sandpiper: As with the majority of shorebirds, the Western Sandpiper finds its meals foraging in mudflats for small insects and crustaceans. They have brown backs and white bellies, though, during the winter, their plumage turns plain grey. Canada to northern Mexico. Look for the dark bands around the tail. Adults have red eyes and black caps while the young have yellow eyes with a brown cap.
Saturday, March 15
“Life of Owls”
Photo: Eric Ellingson
Common Goldeneye: The common goldeneye is a sea duck that
by Paul Bannick 5 p.m. • Cost: Free Blaine Performing Arts Center
hunts for its food underwater. The males can be identified by their white belly, dark back, green head and golden-yellow eyes with white patches underneath. The females’ bodies are mostly grey with brown heads.
975 H Street, Blaine
“Wings Over Water is great because you get to hear speakers talking about birds and, within an hour, you can see and photograph the birds you were just hearing about,” Bannick says. Though his quest is to inspire people to action with his art, he concedes that photographs can’t move everyone. The Wings Over Water festival, he says, offers something for people who are inspired by experience, rather than art.
Photo: Eric Ellingson
Keynote speaker Paul Bannick is an award-winning wildlife photographer specializing in the natural history of North America with a focus on birds and their habitat. Through vivid new images, intimate video, compelling sound and personal narratives, Paul will explore four seasons in the lives of North American Owls. Keynote Speaker Sponsored By:
Peregrine Falcon: This falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds over 200 mph during its hunting dives. The back and wings are normally blue or dark grey, with black wingtips. It has a black beak with a yellow base.
Photo: Eric Ellingson
New to the festival!
kstauffer@windermere.com
have been bus-based and lasted little more than an hour each. This year, however, at the behest of bird enthusiast and Wings Over Water committee member Eric Ellingson, the committee has decided to offer two long walking trips. “A lot of people come to this area and to this festival because they know we have a unique opportunity to see a lot of different birds,” Ellingson said. “The point of the longer trips is to make sure they see as many as they can.”
• Saturday at 9 a.m., attendees have the opportunity to spend
Noah Strycker calls himself a bird nerd, and he is an accomplished one at that. Since graduating from Oregon State University in 2008, Strycker has birded all over the world. He’s lived in the Galapagos Islands, worked for research groups in the Amazon and Antarctic, worked as a naturalist for cruise lines, written for two magazines and authored two books, one of which is coming out next month. “Birds give me constant incentive to travel and experience new places,” Strycker said. “There are birds everywhere you go and every area has a different bird to see.” Strycker will speak at the Wings Over Water opening festivities at 6 p.m. Friday at Semiahmoo Resort, where he will discuss Noah Strycker his recent experience in the Antartic and from his book “Among Penguins: Life Down South.” Sunday, Noah will be the speaker at the “Birders Breakfast” at CJ’s Restaurant in Birch Bay, starting at 9 a.m. Join him and learn about birds from one of the Experience Authentic Thai Cuisine Northwest’s best.
a couple of hours walking the length of Semiahmoo Spit with naturalist Paul Woodcock. At 10 a.m., Saturday, birders will walk along the Blaine Harbor loop led by Joe Meche. While both walks will be leisurely, they will offer more time and opportunity to appreciate the variety of birds in the area.
with Waterfront Dining
u 360-332-3267
• 825 Peace Portal Dr. • Downtown Blaine u Just minutes from I-5 Exit 276 • www.ChadaThaiUSA.com
Welcome
Visit us often!
Birders & Bird Watchers!
The Blaine/Birch Bay communities truly appreciate the amazing variety of birds found in our local bays and harbors. We invite you to join us in our celebration of their survival and beauty. Bring your friends, too!
Valeri Wade
L AW O F F I C E S O F
RogeR eMllingson R ajuMdaR
A law office serving bird watchers and birders alike, and always impressed by dunlins in flight.
289 H Street, downtown Blaine • 360-332-7000 www.NorthWhatcomLaw.com
• Longer Field Trips - Traditionally, Wings Over Water field trips
Kathy Stauffer
Researcher to share bird wisdom
ajeev
Photo: Eric Ellingson
Cooper’s Hawk: This bird of prey can be found from southern
Featured Presentation:
Paul Bannick
Lifelong birder shares knowledge aboard historic Plover
Fresh seed • Healthy birds • Happy people Tues.-Fri. 10-5:30
Sat. 10-4
FREE advice from friendly experts!
705 Kentucky St. • Bellingham • 360-734-0969
WildBirdChalet.com
May-Oct: International Sculpture Exhibit Saturdays, June-Oct: Blaine Gardeners Market June 21 - 22: International Art Festival at Peace Arch Park July 4: Old Fashioned 4th parade, street fair, car show & fireworks July 6-12: Drayton Harbor Music Festival July 12: Art 2 Jazz Street Fair Aug 1-4: Tall Ships Lady Washington & Hawaiian Chieftain Tours Aug 2-3: Drayton Harbor Days with tall ships, raft races, steam boats, arts/crafts, kids events, exhibits Sundays, Aug 10-31: Asian Concert Series at Peace Arch Park
Blaine Visitor Information Center 728 Peace Portal Dr., downtown Blaine
360-332-4544
www.BlaineChamber.com
• Photography Workshops - This year’s festival puts an emphasis
on wildlife photography. Karen Ulvestad, a Seattle wildlife and landscape photographer, will teach a free workshop on how to cap- ture images of birds in their natural environment at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 15. The workshop will combine classroom lessons with actual shooting at Blaine Marine Park.
• Also on Saturday, keynote speaker Paul Bannick will talk about how
he captures his award-winning photographs. Bannick’s class costs $20. To pre-register for these workshops, call 360/332-4544 or visit Blaine Middle School during the festival.
Transform your yard into Transform your yard into a bird-friendly habitat Transform your yard into Transform your yard into aa bird-friendly habitat Transform your yard into bird-friendly habitat aabird-friendly habitat bird-friendly habitat Bird Feeders Bird Feeders Bird BirdFeeders Feeders
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When When you purchase 2677you Bellpurchase Road, Blaine Pacific Pacific Building Building Center Center $50 360-332-5335 or more worth 2677 Bell Road - Blaine, WA 98230 When you purchase of birding When you purchase Pacific Building Center www.pacificbuilding.com When you Pacific Building Center $50 orpurchase more worthPacific accessories. www.pacificbuilding.com accessories. www.pacificbuilding.com Building Center 2677 Bell Road - Blaine, WA 98230 $50 or more 2677 Bell Road - Blaine, WA 98230 $50 of or birding more worthworth 2677 Bell Road - Blaine, WA 98230 Valid at participating True Value stores 3/14/13of to 3/17/13 birding of birding Valid at participating True Value stores 3/14/13 to 3/17/13 accessories. www.pacificbuilding.com accessories. www.pacificbuilding.com accessories. www.pacificbuilding.com ©2011 True Value Company. All rights reserved. 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.
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Photo: Eric Ellingson
Sometimes, when Dick McNeely goes fishing, he doesn’t even bother dropping a line. It’s not about the fish after all – it’s about the birds. At the Wings Over Water Festival, McNeely will be the resident bird-master aboard the Plover Ferry. Since the festival’s beginning, McNeely, a life-long bird enthusiast and former schoolteacher, has shared his birding knowledge with bird lovers on the Plover’s trips around Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo. Though McNeely has a lot to share about bird behavior and natural history, his most valuable lesson is, as he puts it, how to be an observer. “You can have two guys walking in the woods together and the first person won’t see anything while the second guy sees it all,” McNeely said. “It’s not just luck – it’s knowing where to be, when to be there and what to look for.” It’s not a skill that comes naturally to everyone, but McNeely has had a lifetime to perfect his bird watching. It all began as a child, while his father was sick. McNeely got tired of sitting with his dad in the musty hospital room, so he went outside and sat in a field. There he heard the song of a nearby cardinal. Intrigued, he began imitating the birds and, to his surprise, was able to entice the cardinals to approach him. Before long, he was a mimic, skilled at getting birds to respond to his calls. Since then, McNeely has been a full-time birder and has bird-watched all over the globe while he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After leaving the service and settling down in the Northwest as an elementary teacher, he would wake up early before work every day to spot birds during his commute. “I had more routes to work than anybody,” McNeely laughed. “I would always get there, but not without seeing an owl or peregrine falcon hunting.” Nowadays, McNeely’s favorite birding locations are right under most people’s noses. In the city, at the lake, on the street – he finds the beauty of nature wherever he goes. Join McNeely aboard the Plover and learn from a life-long birder.
Featured artist: Sylvia Hayden
Wings Over Water featured artist Sylvia Hayden is not the typical quilter – she fabricates works of art. Hayden expresses herself with needle and thread in a variety of ways, from making memory blankets to quilting children’s book illustrations. As an avid gardener, a lot of her work is devoted to nature themes, such as flowers and birds. Hayden travels widely and has spent time in places like Africa and Guatemala. Whenever she visits these exotic locations, she searches for local fabrics to incorporate into her art to serve as mementos of her travels. She has a series of works made with African fabric and beads. Her Wings Over Water display, however, was made with local, hand-dyed fabrics. “The lovely thing about fabric is that the creativity is endless,” Hayden said. A Blaine local, Hayden is a founding member of the Blaine Harbor Art Gallery and volunteer fundraiser for Blaine’s Boys & Girls Club and Blaine High School senior scholarships. Check out her unique quilted artwork Friday, March 14, at the Semiahmoo Resort.
Welcome Birders
TRY OUR DELICIOUS Homemade Soups Salad Bar & Specialty Salads Pasta • Pizza Sandwiches Calzones
• Dine In • To Go • Delivery
We Deliver! 332-3636 738 Peace Portal Dr., downtown Blaine
Come to Visit, Come to Stay! Visitor & Permanent Moorage Conference Room Available
360-647-6176
blaineharbor@portofbellingham.com
A Special Publication of The Northern Light
Saturday, March 15th Events Schedule 8:00 am – 11 am: Blaine Community Pancake Breakfast Where: Blaine Senior Center • 763 G Street Cost: Adults $6, Children $4. The Blaine Senior Center, just across the street from the Middle School, will be serving pancakes, waffles, biscuits & gravy or french toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee & OJ.
8:30 a.m. Make reservations, purchase tickets for workshops and field trips. (Cash, Visa, MasterCard accepted) Where: Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street
Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Photography Workshop by Paul Bannick Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center - 975 H Street Cost: $20 registration at Blaine Middle School This is an opportunity for photographers to learn from award-winning wildlife photographer Paul Bannick. Paul will share how he creates images that foster the intimacy between viewer and subject. Topics will include how to find the birds, camera settings and gear accompanied by his personal stories and photos.
NEW
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Photography Workshop, “The Art of Photographing Birds” by photographer Karen Ulvestad Where: Blaine Harbor Boating Center Conference Room, 235 Marine Drive Cost: Free Registration at Blaine Middle School Learn about the variety of bird species that frequent the northwest corner of Washington’s Cascade Loop Birding Trail and how to capture the perfect image of these birds in flight and in their natural surroundings. This workshop will be both in the classroom, and shooting on location at nearby Marine Park. Bring your camera, dress for the weather, and wear appropriate shoes for walking.
NEW
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: All Day Birding Expo, Festival Headquarters & Information Where: Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street Enjoy free activities for the whole family, including kids’ activities, expert wildlife speakers, Sardis Raptor Center live raptor presentations, food, art & craft vendors, wildlife exhibits and displays. Make reservations, purchase tickets for workshops and field trips.
NEW 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Birding Field Trip to Semiahmoo Spit Cost: $5 (includes snack) Reservations recommended call 360/3324544 or on Saturday at Blaine Middle School. Explore the abundance of birds along the 1.25-mile Semiahmoo Spit. Take a scenic bus ride around Drayton Harbor and take a walk along the shoreline to view birds. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Semiahmoo Resort Semiahmoo Alaska Packers Association Museum to Golf - Spa Resort learn about the history of the area.
FestivalEvent Event Map Festival Map
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Birding Field Trip to Blaine Harbor Loop Where: First birding shelter at Blaine Marine Park Cost: Free Join in a birding field trip around Blaine Harbor and see a diversity of bird species. Led by Joe Meche.
APA Museum
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Plover Passenger Ferry Nature Cruises Where: Blaine Harbor – Boating Center Dock, 235 Marine Drive Reservations available at the Blaine Middle School - 975 H Street. Cost: $5 The historic Plover Ferry will be taking passengers on a nature cruise of Drayton Harbor & Semiahmoo Bay with wildlife biologist Dick McNeely. Dress appropriately for inclement weather. Departure: On the hour from Blaine Boating Center Dock. Last departure at 3 p.m. (Sorry, no ticket sales from the dock).
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kid’s Activities Where: Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street Cost: Free All day kids’ activities including arts and crafts, games, face painting and some wild surprises! 10 a.m. ‘til gone: Kids’ Birdhouse Building Where: Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street, Blaine Suggested donation: $1 Build a bird house to invite the local birds to make your back yard their home. (For kids up to age 14, while supplies last.)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: North Cascades Audubon Society Bird Viewing Stations Where: Viewing station maps available at Blaine Middle School, Festival Information booth. Cost: Free You will be amazed at the number of interesting bird species you can see close at hand viewed through a spotting scope. Knowledgeable birders from North Cascade Audubon are on hand to assist and answer questions. 10 a.m. to Noon: Wildlife Presentation, “The Wondrous Return of the Eagle” by David Hancock Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center - 975 H Street Cost: Free David Hancock is renowned for his use of live streaming video of eagles and other wildlife to promote the conservation of wildlife and their habitat. Learn about the remarkable comeback of the eagle population from the 1960s when there were only three nests in the lower mainland. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Alaska Packers Association Cannery and Fishing Museum Where: 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine Cost: Free - Donations welcome Experience local maritime history housed in an original Alaska Packers cannery building. The museum exhibits tell the story of days gone by and include a scale model fish trap, antique machinery, a gallery of historic photos, and an original 28-foot Bristol Bay fishing boat. For more information: www.draytonharbormaritime.org. Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Live Raptor Presentation,” Hunters of the Sky” by Sardis Raptor Center Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center - 975 H Street Cost: Free This is an exciting opportunity to have up-close encounters with many magnificent birds of prey including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. All birds are residents of the center that have injuries that prevent their return to the wild.
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.: “The Peterson System of Field Identification” by Joe Meche Where: Blaine Performing Arts Center 975 H Street Cost: Free Roger Tory Peterson is considered to be the father of bird watching in America. His system incorporates visual aids to identify birds according to their habitats and their behavior. Join Joe as he illustrates the Peterson system with many of the birds that we see in the area. 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Wildlife and Geology Field trip to Semiahmoo Spit and Birch Bay Where: Blaine Middle School 975 H Street Cost: $5 (includes snack) Reservations recommended call 360/3324544 or on Saturday at Blaine Middle School. Take a scenic bus ride around Drayton Harbor to Semiahmoo Spit. Guided by geology and ornithology teacher Jim Jorgensen, who will help you discover what makes this area a prime birding location. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Alaska Packers Association Cannery and Fishing Museum.
& GIFTS
Home of Dawn's
"Made in Birch Bay" Unique Birdhouses handmade with beach materials Plus Mac's Critters bird puzzles!
Hours: Mon-Sat 11-5, Sun 11-4
371-0332
7620 Birch Bay Drive
Come Play at Birch Bay!
A Birding Paradise!
Visit us again for these fun events!
Sandcastle Contest June 21 Birch Bay Discovery Days July 19 & 20 Birch Bay Music Festival Aug. 2 & 3 Sea & Sky Festival Aug. 17
VIC - 7900 Birch Bay Dr. • 360-371-5004
BirchBayChamber.com
Dress appropriately for inclement weather.
2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Live Raptor Presentation: “Hunters of the Sky” by Sardis Raptor Center Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center - 975 H Street Cost: Free This is an opportunity to have up-close encounters wimany magnificent birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. All birds are residents of the center that have injuries that prevent their return to the wild. 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Wildlife Presentation, “Merlin’s and More” by David Drummond Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center - 975 H Street, Cost: Free David Drummond, executive director and principal investigator from the non-profit, 100% volunteer Merlin Falcon Foundation will present recent insights on the Northwest Merlin’s bio-ecology and behavior in our temperate rain forests and cities like Bellingham. Join us for this informative visit with a little-known neighbor of ours! 5 p.m.: Featured Presentation, “Life of Owls” by Paul Bannick Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center, 975 H Street Cost: Free Keynote speaker Paul Bannick is an award-winning wildlife photographer specializing in the natural history of North America with a focus on birds and habitat. Through vivid new images, intimate video, compelling sound and personal narratives, Paul will explore four seasons in the lives of North American owls.
www.thenorthernlight.com 225 Marine Drive, Blaine 360/332-1777 Co-publishers Pat Grubb and Louise Mugar Editorial Nathan Dalla Santa Cover Photo Paul Bannick Design Layout Ruth Lauman Advertising Molly Ernst, Janet McCall
Thank you to our Supporters In-kind and financial (in bold)
AMS Mailing Service Banner Bank Birch Bay Waterslides Blaine School District Blaine West Marine Bird Chalet Bob & Lois Franco Charlie Hawkins CJs Beach House Restaurant Cliff Freeman Cost Cutter David Riffle Ed & Pat Kingshott
Eric Ellingson Freeman Real Estate Good Samaritan Society– Stafholt Dr. Gunningham Birch Bay Family Medicine Jim Calhoon & Family Hagen’s Mailing Service LFS Marine & Outdoor Lynden Christian School Mike Kent/Windermere Natures Path Foods North Cascades Audubon Society NWcascades.com
Pacific Building Center Paso Del Norte Peace Arch Café ProPack Inc. Roger Ellingson Seaside Bakery Café Starr/Cloutier Accountants Subway TC Trading Totally Chocolate Washington Brant Foundation Wayne Diaz WECU Bank