Wings Over Water 2018 by Point Roberts Press

16TH ANNUAL

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

NORTHWEST

BIRDING FESTIVAL MARCH 16-18, 2018 Friday, March 16*

Guided Field Trip to Reifel Bird Sanctuary

Surf Scoter

Delta B.C. 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.

Festival Opening & Artist Reception

The Vault Wine Bar & Event Center 277 G Street • Downtown Blaine • 5 – 7 p.m. Seats are Limited. Pre-register online* or call 360-543-9982.

Photo: C. Kinzer

*Pre-register for all events at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com

ALL DAY

BIRDING EXPO!

Saturday, March 17

Saturday, March 17* Salish Sea Open Water Birding Cruises

By San Juan Cruises

Two, 2-hour open water cruises departing Semiahmoo Spit at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Blaine Middle School

Black Oystercatcher

Rhinoceros Auklet

Photo: EricEllingson.com

10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

Indoor & outdoor activities (mostly free) for the whole family: • live raptor presentations • wildlife exhibits and displays • kids’ activities • kids’ bird house building • photography workshops • expert speaker presentations • field trips & MORE ...

Dunlin Photo: EricEllingson.com

Sunday, March 18* Exploring Birds of Birch Bay Habitat Starting at 9 a.m.

Northern Flicker Photo: EricEllingson.com

SEE PAGE 4 FOR COMPLETE, DETAILED FESTIVAL INFORMATION! For complete festival events visit www.WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com or call 360-332-4544 SUPPORTERS

SPONSORS CORPORATE SPONSOR

Community Newspaper of Blaine & Birch Bay

Exclusive Waterfront Living! www.semiahmooshore.com

Your Semiahmoo, Birch Bay Planned Community Specialist

D Street

Blaine

LUMMI ISLAND WILD

City of Blaine

&Visitor Information Center

PLEASE SEE 2018 FESTIVAL FRIENDS ON PAGE 3

BUILDING CENTER

Semiahmoo Women’s Club

Lynden Christian Schools

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & Visitor Information Center

BIRCH BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Mobile Exchange, Inc.

Bob and Lois Franco Ed & Pat Kingshott

CHMELIK SITKIN & DAVIS P.S. INSURANCE

FAMILY FUN CENTER

Northwest Birding Festival

VISIT BLAINE OFTEN!

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

Photo: EricEllingson.com

2018

FEATURED WILDLIFE PRESENTATION:

Alaska Packers Cannery Museum May-Labor Day

“A Bird’s Eye View of Migration Worldwide: From the Pacific Coast to the Far, Far East”

Saturday, March 17 WHERE: Blaine Performing Arts Center 975 H Street • Blaine TIME: 5 p.m. COST: Free, (donations welcome)

Peace Arch International Sculpture Exhibition • May-October

SeaSkills Boating Festival • May 12 Historic Plover Passenger Ferry Rides Weekends: Memorial Day-Labor Day

by Dr. Robert DeCandido

Blaine Gardeners Market Saturdays June-October

In the Pacific Northwest, we see large numbers and species of birds migrating in the fall along the Pacific Flyway from their northern breeding grounds to warmer climates and richer feeding areas in the south. But what about other parts of the world? Do birds migrate at roughly the same time of the year as ours, and resemble the kinds of birds seen here? Robert’s talk will focus on such similarities and differences of bird migration in the Pacific Northwest and other bird migratory “hot spots” from his research site far, far, east of Washington State: the east coast of southern Thailand. He will present interesting data along with images of amazing birds he has collected over his many years of observations from this Far East location.

Tall Ships Lady Washington & Hawaiian Chieftain • June 1-5

Dr. Robert DeCandido was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, and has been studying bird (primarily raptor) migration since the 1980s, first in New York City and since 1999 in Nepal and Thailand. With Deborah Allen, he leads bird walks in Central Park— see www.BirdingBob.com for his scientific and popular articles on bird migration research, available for free download, along with a large selection of bird and landscape photos from Asia, Israel and New York City. Sponsored by Kathy Stauffer, Windermere Real Estate

Wings Over Water Festival Partners: North Cascades Audubon Society by Paul Woodcock Since the first festival sixteen years ago, North Cascades Audubon Society has been involved, contributing birding and natural history expertise and plain old hard work to the Wings Over Water effort. North Cascades Audubon (NCAS), our local, Whatcom County, chapter of the National Audubon Society, was established in 1970 by local citizens to promote the enjoyment, study and conservation of our local wildlife, particularly birds. For nearly fifty years, the chapter has actively promoted sensible policies that protect wildlife habitat and our environment and connected people with nature. NCAS holds monthly educational meetings from September through May at the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham, conducts regular field trips and other educational events as well as publishing eight newsletters annually. All these events are free and open to all who wish to attend. Examples of citizen science efforts conducted by the chapter include the annual Bellingham/Whatcom County Christmas Bird Count and regular bird surveys on Whatcom Land Trust lands and in the Cherry Point and Sandy Point areas.

Paul Woodcock, a life time birder, is currently the Vice President of the North Cascades Audubon Society. He leads a birding field trip the first Saturday of each month from Semiahmoo County Park at Semiahmoo Spit from 9 am - noon. He will also be leading the 10 am field trip to Semiahmoo Spit along with Jim Jorgensen.

If you participate in Wings Over Water NW (WOW) field trips or visit the WOW Viewing Stations you will find NCAS volunteers sharing their knowledge and expertise. Visit the NCAS booth at the WOW Expo and learn more about birds and the chapter, or northcascadesaudubon.org.

WHAT IS A WARBLER?

by Deborah Allen

Saturday, March 17

u 360-332-3267

• 825 Peace Portal Dr. • Downtown Blaine u Just minutes from I-5 Exit 276 • www.ChadaThaiUSA.com

Welcome

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!

L AW O F F I C E S O F

RogeR ellingson & Rajeev MajuMdaR Todd allen, associaTe A law office serving bird watchers and birders alike, and always impressed by dunlins in flight.

Pileated Woodpecker

blaineharbor@portofbellingham.com

Drayton Harbor Music Festival July 8-14

BIRCH BAY

Art-2-Jazz Street Fair • July 14

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Breakfast for Birders and Wildlife Presentation

Sponsored by Semiahmoo Women’s Club Deborah Allen’s bird photos have appeared in numerous publications, including BirdWatching, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Birds and Blooms, National Wildlife, National Parks, Natural History, and the New York Times. She leads birding tours with Robert DeCandido and is currently finishing a Field Guide to the Birds of Central Park for Columbia University Press.

Photo: EricEllingson.com

Barrow’s Goldeneye

Start your 2018 Boating Adventure at Blaine! Full service marina Friendly Service Competitive Rates

289 H St., Blaine • 2417 Main St., Ferndale 360-332-7000 • www.NorthWhatcomLaw.com

EXPLORING

Small and colorful, warblers are the birds every birder wants to see. The smallest, Northern Parula, is a little more than four inches from beak to tail, the largest only six inches long. Generally, warblers make a living by eating insects, so their bills are small and slender. You might recognize some of the warblers that live nearby like Yellow-rumped Warblers and Common Yellowthroats. In the Pacific Northwest halfa-dozen different kinds of warblers are easy to find, and there are many others. We’ll also take a look at some of the eastern warblers that may visit Washington State.

Dunlin

Historic Blaine Harbor

FEATURED ARTIST

Old Fashioned Fourth of July • July 4

BIRDS AND THEIR HABITAT Sunday, March 18

Photo: C. Kinzer

Hands Across the Border • June 10

WHERE: Blaine Performing Arts Center 975 H Street • Blaine TIME: 3-4 p.m. COST: Free (donations welcome)

BIRDS OF BLAINE, BIRCH BAY & SEMIAHMOO

Experience Authentic Thai Cuisine with Waterfront Dining

Ride to the Border • June 2

(360) 647-6176

BP Heron Center

Enjoy a day in Birch Bay exploring birds, birds, birds! *For all events taking place in Birch Bay State Park, a Discovery Pass or a $10 day pass is required for parking.

“Essentially I’m a bird nerd with a pencil and a paintbrush.” My art is an effort to communicate the beauty and significance of birds. To entice people to want to learn more about them. To grasp the diversity and variety and uniqueness of and within each species. To see their personalities shine through the paint and ink, to feel the joy that I felt when I happened upon that particular bird and the moments I shared with it. It’s not complicated art, it doesn’t have hidden meaning. Bird and perch, simple. I began painting with minimalism and realism in mind; an effort to cut out the busyness and visual stimuli and concentrate just on the subject, to illuminate and celebrate the small, often overlooked individuals of branch, wave, and breeze.

Seating is limited. Reservations available online at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com or on Saturday at the festival headquarters at Blaine Middle School Cafeteria, 975 H St.

Patricia & Jim Jorgensen Joe Meche John and Carol Choulochas Joyce Dippold Joyce Vanderpol Realty Ken Salzman Levi VanderVeen Mike Peetoom North Bellingham Golf Course NWcascades.com Paso Del Norte Patricia Applegate Paul Woodcock Peace Arch City Café & Bar Phil Calise Roger Ellingson Law Offices Shibuya Rochelle Stafholt Good Samaritan

Peace Arch Park International Concert Series • Sundays, August 5, 12, 19, 26 Summer Fun in the Park • August 25

BLAINE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER 728 Peace Portal Dr., downtown Blaine 360-332-4544

www.BlaineChamber.com

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Birch Bay Photo Walk Where: BP Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park • 7290 Birch Bay Drive Cost: Free Wayne Diaz and Chuck Kinzer will lead a photo walk along Birch Bay Drive and in Birch Bay State Park. They will provide insights into the birds of the area and where and how to watch and capture images of our feathered friends. Bring your camera!

Come Play at Birch Bay!

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Birding Walk at Birch Bay with Paul Woodcock Where: BP Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park • 7290 Birch Bay Drive Cost: Free Paul Woodcock will lead a bird walk around trails within Birch Bay State Park. Come and hear about birds in the park and find out about best viewing locations.

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Photography Workshop: The Basics of Photographing Birds, with Instructor Ken Salzman Where: BP Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park • 7290 Birch Bay Drive Cost: Free Designed for beginner and novice photographers, this workshop will present the basics photographers need to know about capturing images of our feathered friends. Ken Salzman, an avid birder and photographer, also teaches photography courses at Whatcom Community College. Visit his website at www.kensalzman.zenfolio.com

Meet Annie Moorhead and enjoy an exhibit of her artwork Friday night, March 16 from 5-7 p.m., at The Vault Wine Bar in Blaine. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Call 360-543-9982 or online at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com. See page 4 for details.

(Financial Supporters in Bold)

Run to the Border • August 4

Holiday Harbor Lights • December 1

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and presentation by Deborah Allen, Birding in Special Places. Sponsored by Birch Bay Chamber and Dave & Deb Hiller, Rockwood Realty

ANNIE MOORHEAD

Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival August 4 & 5

Oktoberfest • October 13

Where: BP Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park* 7290 Birch Bay Dr. Cost: $15 for Adults, $10 for children (under 12)

Photo: Eric Ellingson

May 26 & 27 Kite Festival July 14 & 15

Sand Sculpture Competition Roll Back Weekend

September 1 & 2 Discover Birch Bay Days

Photo: EricEllingson.com

Short-Ear Owl

Sunny Brown Subway (Blaine) Terry Galvin Totally Chocolate Un-wined Barrels of Hope Wayne Diaz WECU Bank Wheelhouse Tavern Great Blue Heron

A Birding Paradise!

Visit us again for these fun events!

August 11-12

WINGS OVER WATER 2018 SUPPORTERS & FRIENDS Banner Bank Bay Café Blaine Pizza Factory Blaine School District The “C” Shop Cathy White Chris Brewer Chuck Kinzer Cindy Moe Cost Cutter (Blaine) Cynthia Osborne Debbie Jordon Alumbaugh Dick McNeely Donna Diaz Drayton Harbor Maritime Eric Ellingson Fortiphi Insurance Freeman Real Estate Hagen’s Mail Service Heidi Holmes

Tall Ships • August 3-6

Photo: EricEllingson.com

Western Grebe

Photo: C. Kinzer

Harlequin Duck

WINGS OVER WATER BIRDING FESTIVAL OFFERS

Birch Bay Visitor Information Center 7900 Birch Bay Dr. • 360-371-5004

BirchBayChamber.com

KIDS BIRDTASTIC FUN! 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 17

On Saturday, March 17, the Wings Over Water Birding Expo at the Blaine Middle School will have lots of free kids’ bird related fun and educational activities. Plus for some wild surprises sponsored by Blaine Birch Bay Park and Recreation District #2. NEW THIS YEAR!

Photo Booth Fun interactive photo experience for everyone!

Kids can also attend a free bird art workshop (11 a.m.-Noon) by this year’s featured artist Annie Moorhead or drop by the Magic Drawing booth (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) where artist Ellen Clark will show you how to make a rock’n bird or flying bird mobile. Artist Rosa Caldwell will be at the booth in the afternoon (2 p.m. – 4 p.m.) to make spotted sparrows.

LIVE RAPTORS

More hands on activities include build your own birdhouse (10 am – till gone!) All ages will be awed at the BUILD A “Hunters of the Sky” live raptor presentation by Sardis BIRDHOUSE Raptor Center. Head outside for viewing birds at several Bird Viewing Stations or take a nature cruise aboard the Plover Passenger Ferry. See location and details on these events on page 4 marked with a

Northwest Birding Festival 2018

MARCH 16, 17 & 18 - EVENTS SCHEDULE

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

*Pre-register for all events at www.WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Bus Charter Guided Field Trip to Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, BC Where: Departure 8 a.m., Birch Bay Square (Behind Woods Coffee) 8130 Birch Bay Square Rd. (Off I-5 Exit 270). Cost: $42 includes bus charter, entrance fee and bag of bird seed. Lunch: Additional fee for Subway lunch options or bring your own lunch. (No glass containers). Space is limited. Experience a guided field trip to one of Canada’s top birding sites, George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, just 40 minutes across the border in Delta, B.C., Canada. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Please note: A passport or an enhanced driver’s license is required for crossing the US/Canada border. Sponsored by Mike Kent, Windermere Realty.

FESTIVALEvent EVENT MAP Festival Map Semiahmoo Resort Semiahmoo Golf - Spa Resort

APA Museum

Loomis Trail Golf Club

Recreation, District #2.

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Birding Field Trip to Semiahmoo Spit Where: Ticket Sales/Bus Departure from Blaine Middle School • 975 H St. Cost: $5 (includes snack) Pre-registration is available online or on Saturday, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street. Seating is limited. Perfect for the novice and experienced birder to explore the abundance of birds along Semiahmoo Spit. Enjoy a scenic bus ride around Drayton Harbor learning about the fascinating geology from Jim Jorgensen will help you discover what makes this such a premier birding location. Then take a leisurely two-hour walk led by naturalist Paul Woodcock, on both a paved walking trail and along the beach to view birds close at hand. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Alaska Packers Association Museum to learn about the maritime history of the area. Sponsored by AMS (Automated Mailing Services). 10 a.m. to Noon; and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Salish Sea Open Water Birding & Wildlife Cruise, by San Juan Cruises Departure: Boat departs from Semiahmoo Resort Plover Dock at 9565 Semiahmoo Dr. Cost: $50/pp. Pre-register online at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com*

(Arrive at boat dock no later than 9:45 a.m. Boat departs promptly at 10 a.m.)

Take a two-hour offshore cruise from Semiahmoo Spit aboard the 50’ Salish Sea. View a variety of birds in the waters of Boundary Bay and Semiahmoo Bay. Professional naturalists will be aboard to help spot birds and wildlife you’ll see along the way. Dress for inclement weather, bring binoculars and camera. The Salish Sea has indoor seating, and ample outdoor viewing areas on two levels. Sponsored by Semiahmoo Shore Waterfront

Community.

*Cruise is subject to cancellation due to rough sea conditions. Should this happen, prepaid registration fees will be refunded.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Historic Plover Passenger Ferry Nature Cruises* Where: Departure on the hour from Blaine Harbor Boating Center Dock, Visitor Dock, 235 Marine Drive Last departure is at 3 p.m. Limited seating. Cost: $5. There are no ticket sales from the dock. Pre-registration is available on-line for $6 (includes processing fee) at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com or on Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Blaine Middle School. The Plover Ferry will be taking passengers on a 45-minute guided nature cruise of Drayton Harbor & Semiahmoo Bay. A knowledgeable wildlife biologist will be on board to point out wildlife and birds along the way. Dress appropriately for inclement weather. For details on MV Plover Passenger Ferry, visit: www.draytonharbormaritime.org. Sponsored by Blaine Harbor, Port of Bellingham. *The Plover Ferry trips are subject to cancellation due to rough sea conditions. Should happen, prepaid registration fees will be refunded. Seating is limited and may be sold out prior to the festival. Tickets for available seats may be purchased in person on Saturday, March 17 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street, Blaine.

(Arrive at dock by 12:15 – Boat leaves promptly at 12:30 pm).

and D Street Shell Station.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Advanced Photography Workshop, by Instructor, Ken Salzman Where: Blaine Middle School Classroom • 975 H Street Cost: $20 - Space is limited. Excellent opportunity for photographers to learn advanced tips and techniques in wildlife photography with an emphasis on bird photography. Ken will take you through what you need to know about camera settings, techniques and best ways to find and set up to get great shots. Ken Salzman is an avid birder and photographer, and teaches photography at Whatcom Community College.

8 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Blaine Community Pancake Breakfast Where: Blaine Community Center • 763 G Street (across the street from Blaine Middle School /WOW Festival Headquarters) Cost: Adults $6, Children $4. (Breakfast tickets sold at the Blaine Community Center) Start the day with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, waffles, biscuits & gravy or french toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee & OJ.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: All Day Kids’ Activities Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria • 975 H Street Cost: Free. Bring the kids! All day kids’ activities, including art & crafts, games, face painting and some wild surprises! Sponsored by Blaine Birch Bay Park &

12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Salish Sea Open Water Birding & Wildlife Cruise - by San Juan Cruises Departure: Boat departs from Semiahmoo Resort Plover Dock at 9565 Semiahmoo Dr. • Cost: $50/pp. For details see 10 a.m. time slot. Sponsored by Big Al’s Diner,

SATURDAY, MARCH 17

Expo Sponsored by BP Cherry Point Refinery & Darigold.

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 Exciting opportunity to have up-close encounters with many birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. Sponsored by Bob & Lois Franco. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Birding Field Trip, Blaine Harbor Loop, by Dr. Robert DeCandido and Wayne Diaz Where: Meet at Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Dr. Cost: FREE Take a leisurely 2-mile walk along Marine Park waterfront. View raptors, dabblers, divers, shore birds, and song birds. Sponsored by Propack.

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: WOW Festival Opening and Artist Reception Where: The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street, Downtown Blaine Cost: $20, St. Patrick’s Day Buffet, $4 beer and $5 wine Opening celebration to the Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival. Fabulous St. Patrick’s Day Buffet, beer, wine, silent auction, wildlife art and photography displays. Meet featured artist Annie Moorhead, and enjoy a presentation by Ric Zarwell from Rock Jumper Worldwide Birding Adventures. Limited seating. Pre-register at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com, or call 360-543-9982. Sponsored by Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Adventures.

10 a.m*. to 5 p.m.: All Day Birding Expo, Festival Headquarters & Information Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria • 975 H Street Cost: Free. (Fees do apply for some activities. See detailed schedule for information) Enjoy many free activities for the whole family, including expert wildlife speakers, Sardis Raptor Center live raptor presentations, kids’ activities, Birdtastic Kids’ Art Station, food, art & craft vendors, wildlife exhibits and displays. The Festival Registration Desk will open at 8:30 a.m. for making reservations and purchasing tickets for field trips and activities.

Denotes kid-friendly activities.

Blaine Birch Bay Park & Rec BP Heron Center

10 a.m. ‘til gone: Kids Birdhouse Building Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria • 975 H Street, Blaine Cost: Recommended Donation $2 Build a bird house to invite the local birds to make your backyard their home. (For kids up to age 14, while supplies last.) Sponsored by Pacific Building Center.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: North Cascades Audubon Society Bird Viewing Stations Where: Viewing station maps will be available at the Blaine Middle School. Cost: Free Seeing is believing! 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 Cascades Audubon are on hand to assist and answer questions. Sponsored by North Cascades Audubon Society. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Swans of Winter - by Martha Jordan Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center • 975 H Street Cost: Free Trumpeter swans, the largest waterfowl in the world, have been brought back from the brink of extinction and once again grace our skies and waterways. Join Martha Jordan, well-known swan biologist and Executive Director of Northwest Swan Conservation Association. Learn about the life history and biology of Washington’s native trumpeter and tundra swans, and discover ways you can contribute to our understanding of these magnificent birds by doing what you already enjoy doing outdoors. Sponsored by Law Firm of Chemelick, Sitkin and Davis.

2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Blaine Elementary Nightingale Choir- led by Blaine School Music Instructor, Brian Myrik Where: Blaine School Performing Art Center • 975 H Street Cost: Free The Blaine Elementary School Choir “Nightingales” will perform a delightful arrangement of songs about our feathered friends! 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Birding Field Trip to Semiahmoo Spit, led by Phil Calise Where: Ticket Sales/Bus Departure from Blaine Middle School • 975 H St. Cost: $5 (includes snack) For details see 10 a.m. time slot. Sponsored by AMS (Automated Mailing Services).

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