The Northern Light: Wings Over Water 2019 by Point Roberts Press

17 TH ANNUAL

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

Photo: Joe Meche

NORTHWEST BIRDING FESTIVAL

’s n o t g n i sh stival a W e t F s g e n i w d h r t Nor ier Bi m Pre

March 15, 16 & 17 Photo: Joe Meche

SATURDAY, MARCH 16: Salish Sea Open Water Birding & Wildlife Cruises

FRIDAY, MARCH 15: Festival Opening Dinner & Artist Reception

SATURDAY, MARCH 16: Sardis Raptor Presentations

SUNDAY, MARCH 17: Birding Breakfast, Walks & Photography Workshop

SATURDAY, MARCH 16: All Day Birding Expo

B L A I N E • B I R C H B AY • S E M I A H M O O ALL DAY BIRDING EXPO • SATURDAY, MARCH 16 • 975 H STREET - BLAINE • 10 AM - 5 PM

• • • •

Wildlife & Birding Field Trips Expert Wildlife Speakers Live Raptor Presentations Kids’ Activities

• • • •

FUN

FOR THE

ENTIRE FAMILY!

Food, Art & Craft Vendors Wildlife Exhibits Photography Workshops Wildlife Boating Cruises

Complete Festival Events at www.WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com

SPONSORS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Blaine

Your Semiahmoo, Birch Bay Planned Community Specialist

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & Visitor Information Center

Community Newspaper of Blaine, Birch Bay Exclusive Waterfront Living! www.semiahmooshore.com

D STREET D Street

PLEASE SEE 2019 FESTIVAL FRIENDS ON PAGE 2

Kathy Stauffer kstauffer@windermere.com

COMPLETE FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES SEE PAGE 4

Northwest Birding Festival 2019

FEATURED WILDLIFE PRESENTATION

Saturday, March 16 • 5 PM Blaine Performing Arts Center • 975 H Street • Blaine Cost: Free (donations welcome)

Festival Opening Dinner & Artist Reception

Understanding Shorebirds: The Miracle of Migration

Friday, March 15 • 5-7 PM TIM BOYER An award winning nature photographer, Tim’s images have been published in many bird and nature magazines. Shorebirds are his favorite group of birds, as he spends a lot of weekends on the Washington Coast.

• How does a Sanderling that weighs on average of 2 ounces fly 3,000 miles from Alaska to the Hawaiian Islands? • How does a Bar-tailed Godwit fly from the Yukon Delta in Alaska to New Zealand in eight days?

In an effort to understand their remarkable journeys we need to look beyond North American borders and see where shorebirds spend most of their lives. Thus, we will explore the trans-ocean migration of these and other shorebird species that cross the majority of the Pacific Ocean. We’ll look at where they migrate, why they migrate, and how they are able to travel so far. We’ll also consider potential global conservation and climate change solutions that these global migrants require.

277 G Street • Downtown Blaine Seating is limited • Tickets: $25

Sponsored by Kathy Stauffer, Windermere Real Estate

FESTIVAL FEATURED ARTIST

Dona Reed • Mixed Media Artist

ART BY DONA REED

WHERE: Friday, March 15 Festival Opening Dinner & Artist Reception The Vault Wine Bar • 277 G Street, Blaine at 5 PM Saturday, March 16 - Birding Expo Blaine Middle School • 975 H Street, Blaine • 10 AM - 5 PM

Everyone is invited to the 17th Annual Wings Over Water Opening Dinner and Artist Reception at the Vault Wine Bar in Blaine! It’ll be St. Patrick’s Day weekend, so come and enjoy a traditional Irish meal along with a (no host) beer and wine bar. Meet and hear from this year’s featured artist, Dona Reed, and view an exhibit of her mixed media art pieces, which are inspired by nature–particularly the motion, patterns and shapes of flora and fauna.

Come meet Dona Reed as she talks about and exhibits her work that’s inspired by nature, particularly the motion, patterns and shapes of flora and fauna. Dona’s compositions are an expression of that inspiration on paper, vessels and mixed media.

DONA REED

Also enjoy a presentation by Emily Hirsch from the Whatcom Conservation District, and Pam Borso from North Cascades Audubon Wildlife, who will speak about “Backyard Flora and Fauna.” A silent auction will follow to benefit Wings Over Water Birding Festival.

Dona uses simplified graphic shapes, negative space and texture. In each piece, whether it is 2 or 3-dimensions, her use of strong lines and repetitive patterns create a sense of movement in the composition. As an artist and an teacher, Dona has been fortunate to explore and experiment with a wide range of media. Dona has found that printmaking is the best media for her to express designs. More recently, Dona’s artistic journey has moved to experimenting with collage and mixed media assemblage. Find out more about Dona and her work at: www.rainshadow-arts.com

WINGS OVER WATER 2019 SUPPORTERS & FRIENDS SUPPORTERS

Welcome

Birders & Bird Watchers!

Boundary Fish COMPANY, INC.

Bob and Lois Franco DAVE HILLER

FRIENDS

Blaine Pizza Factory Blaine School District The “C” Shop Blaine Cost Cutter Dick McNeely Drayton Harbor Maritime Fortiphi Insurance Leila Humphrey

BUILDING CENTER

Ed & Pat Kingshott

CHMELIK, SITKIN & DAVIS P.S. Josh Davies John and Carol Choulochas Ken Salzman Lynden Christian School District North Bellingham Golf Course NWcascades.com Computer Services Paso Del Norte Restaurant Peace Arch City Café & Bar Phil Calise

Roger Ellingson Law Offices Sunny Brown Blaine Subway Totally Chocolate Donna Diaz Susan Scheid- BHP Petals and Blooms Mercantile WECU Bank Wheelhouse Tavern

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.

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

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

SUNDAY, MARCH 17 FESTIVAL HAPPENINGS:

2019

WE HAVE THE

EVENTS! PHOTO: DEBBIE HARGER

Visit Blaine Often!

Birders Breakfast & Special Presentation

May-October - Peace Arch International Sculpture Exhibition September 30 - Memorial Day Alaska Packers Cannery Museum

Bird Walks

Bird Photography Workshop

Birch Bay 11:30 AM -1:30 PM

9 - 11 AM

Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club 8720 Semiahmoo Pkwy. • Blaine Cost: $18

Birch Bay State Park Cost: Free

for all Levels of Experience

Join a guided birding walk around the trails and shoreline within Birch Bay State Park. Come and hear about birds in the park and find out about best viewing locations.”

Enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet and presentation in the comfortable and beautiful setting of Semiahmoo Golf Club’s Blue Heron Grill. This Birding Breakfast includes a informative presentation by wildlife biologist David Drummond on “What do Savvy Merlin and Crows have in Common?”

NOTE: The event is free, but a Discover Pass or a $10 day pass is required for parking within the state park. A pass can be purchased at kiosks in the park.

David’s presentation shows that, for thousands of years, merlin and crows have coevolved in conifer forests. Join David for a breakfast of discovery of their realm, from Washington and British Columbia’s ancient forests to urban environs of our backyard communities and more! Later, take a guided birding walk at Birch Bay or the Semiahmoo Spit, or attend a workshop to learn how to take better bird photographs.

Semiahmoo Spit 11:30 AM -1:30 PM

Alaska Packers Association Cannery and Fishing Museum Parking Lot 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway Cost: Free Enjoy a free, guided walk along a portion of Semiahmoo Spit. David Drummond, wildlife biologist, will lead this walk and provide commentary about the wide variety of birds that can be seen in this area. Wear walking shoes.

Sponsored by Dave Hiller, Rockwood Realty.

NEW

April 27 & 28 IYCBC Semiahmoo Regatta

March 17 11:30 AM -1:30 PM

Great Blue Heron Grill at Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club 8720 Semiahmoo Pkwy. Cost: Free A presentation by Tim Boyer for birders who want to take better bird images for any reason: to document what they’ve seen, to share on social media, or just for the sheer joy of watching and photographing birds. No matter what kind of equipment you use, you’ll learn the fundamentals of bird photography through a birder’s perspective. Tim’s book, Learn the Art of Bird Photography, The Complete Field Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Photographers and Birders, will be the basis for this presentation and will also be available for purchase. Reservations are recommended for this free event.

Family-Friendly birding game to be launched at Wings Over Water!

Memorial Day-Labor Day (Weekends) Historic Plover Passenger Ferry Rides June-October (Saturdays) Blaine Gardeners Market June 1 Ride to the Border & Run to the Border June 9 - Hands Across the Border July 4 - Old Fashioned Fourth of July July 7-13 - Blaine Harbor Music Festival July 13 - Art-2-Jazz Street Fair July 31-August 6 - Tall Ships August 3 & 4 Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival August 4, 11, 18, 25 (Sundays) Peace Arch Park Int’l. Concert Series August 16-18 - Fan Fest NW August 24 - Summer Fun in the Park October 12 - Rocktoberfest December 7 - Holiday Harbor Lights

BLAINE WELCOME CENTER

546 Peace Portal Drive • Downtown Blaine 360-332-4544

www.BlaineChamber.com

For complete details on

Festival activities visit: WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com

Bring the joy of birding into your living room. The game is fun and intuitive and helps players learn more about some of the Pacific Northwest’s most engaging birds. During play you’ll collect points by attracting birds to your simulated backyard. Attract birds by playing cards containing environment and food sources each bird needs. After a few rounds, players will gain confidence identifying birds from the high-quality card visuals, find out when specific birds are in season, and learn what birds need in real life to survive and thrive. The game is designed by Jeff Morgenroth and Jeremy Schwartz, two Pacific Northwest locals with a passion for birds, nature, and education. The 2019 Wings Over Water Festival is the launch of the Kickstarter campaign that will help fund the game’s production.

Be sure to visit their booth, play the game, and support the Kickstarter to help make it a success!

blaineharbor@portofbellingham.com

Start your 2019 Boating Adventure at Blaine! Full service marina

to the Wings Over Water Planning Committee Photo: RuthLauman.com

Historic Blaine Harbor

Thank you...

Cathy White Chuck Kinzer Eric Ellingson Heidi Holmes

Mike Price Carroll Solomon Patricia & Jim Jorgensen

Dine-in or Take it to-go!

Friendly Service Competitive Rates

(360) 647-6176

Waterfront Dining 825 Peace Portal Drive

Downtown Blaine • Minutes from I-5 Exit 276

360-332-3267 • www.ChadaThaiUSA.com Mon-Fri 11-9, Sat & Sun 12-9

Joe Meche Joyce Dippold Paul Woodcock Wayne Diaz

Come Play at Birch Bay!

A Birding Paradise & great place for these upcoming fun events!

May 25-26

Kite Festival July 20-21

Sand Sculpture Competition & Rollback Weekend Car Show August 16-18

Discover Birch Bay Days & Fan Fest 2019 FOLLOW US ON

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

BirchBayChamber.com

Northwest Birding Festival 2019

MARCH 15, 16 & 17 - EVENTS SCHEDULE

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

FESTIVALEvent EVENT MAP Festival Map

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Bus Charter Guided Field Trip to Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, B.C. Where: Departure 8 a.m., Birch Bay Square (Behind Woods Coffee) 8130 Birch Bay Square Rd. (Off I-5 Exit 270). Cost: $45 includes bus charter, entrance fee and bag of bird seed. Lunch: Please provide your own sack lunch. (No glass containers).

Semiahmoo Resort Semiahmoo Golf - Spa Resort

Space is limited. Tickets available online at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com

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 Real Estate

APA Museum

For details see 10 a.m. time slot. Sponsored by Alcoa. Loomis Trail Golf Club

8 a.m. - 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 (6 and under) $4. Tickets sold at the door. Start the day with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, waffles, biscuits & gravy or french toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee & OJ.

Recreation, District 2.

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Birding Geology Field Trip to Semiahmoo Spit Where: Bus Departure from Blaine Middle School • 975 H St. Cost: $6 (includes snack) • Seating is limited. Pre-registration is available online at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com or on Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Blaine Middle School. Perfect for the novice and experienced birder to explore the abundance of birds along Semiahmoo Spit. Enjoy a scenic bus ride around Drayton Harbor and learn about its fascinating geology and discover what makes this such a premier birding location. Take a guided two-hour walk on both paved walking trails 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 Phillips 66.

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. A professional naturalist 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 Darigold. *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* There are no ticket sales from the dock.

Where: Departure on the hour from Blaine Harbor Boating Center Visitor Dock, 235 Marine Dr. Last departure at 3 p.m. Limited seating. Cost: $6. Pre-registration is available on-line 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 birder will be on board to point out wildlife and birds. Dress appropriately for inclement weather. Details on the Historic Plover Passenger Ferry: www.draytonharbormaritime.org. Sponsored by Blaine Harbor, Port of Bellingham. *The Plover Ferry trips are subject to cancellation due to rough sea conditions. Should this 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 16 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street, Blaine.

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 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 available at Blaine Middle School.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Advanced Photography Workshop by Ken Salzman Where: Blaine Middle School • 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. 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Who’s Eating Who? Dissect an Owl Pellet and Find Out! Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria • 975 H St. Cost: Free For ages 5 and up. Limited to 25 participants Tigers of the sky, the Owls! Join Wild Whatcom Program Coordinator and Naturalist, Holly Roger for this hands-on, interactive program on what makes owls so special. You’ll hear about adaptations, behaviors, and their place in the food chain. And we will actually take apart an owl pellet to see what the owl had for breakfast—something scientists use as valuable information. What’s an owl pellet? It’s “puke,” not “poop,” and don’t worry, the pellets are locally sourced and are sterilized! NEW

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Birdtastic Kids’ Activities Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria • 975 H Street Cost: Free. There will be plenty of kids’ activities during the expo including an interactive photo booth, kids’ bird crafts, as well as some wild surprises! Sponsored by Blaine - Birch Bay Park &

NEW 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Birding Field Trip, Lake Terrell & Birch Bay with Joe Meche Where: Meet at Blaine Harbor Boating Center • 235 Marine Dr. Cost: $8 On a 13-person bus, take a 20 minute drive to two, nearby birding hotspots: Lake Terrell and Birch Bay. See a diversity of waterfowl and bird species including raptors, dabblers, divers, shore birds, and song birds. Led by Joe Meche. Seating is limited. Sponsored by Propack.

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

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. WOW Festival Opening Dinner and Artist Reception Where: The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street, Downtown Blaine Cost: $25. Seating is limited. Everyone is invited to enjoy a traditional Irish meal along with a (no host) beer and wine bar. Meet featured artist Dona Reed. Also enjoy a silent auction and presentation about “Backyard Flora and Fauna” by Emily Hirsch / Whatcom Conservation District, and Pam Borso / North Cascades Audubon Society. Pre-register at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com, or call 360-543-9982.

Expo Sponsored by BP Cherry Point Refinery.

Denotes kid-friendly activities.

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.

and Semiahmoo Shore Waterfront Community.

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, live raptor presentations, kids’ activities, food, art & craft vendors, wildlife exhibits and displays. Festival *Registration Desk opens at 8:30 a.m. for making reservations/purchasing tickets for field trips and activities. Tickets available online at Festival website.

A Special Publication of The Northern Light

Blaine Birch Bay Park & Rec BP Heron Center

Sponsored by Blaine D Street Shell and Exxon Gas Stations.

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 will be 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. Sponsored by Law Firm of Chmelik, Sitkin and Davis.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alaska Packers Association Cannery & Museum Where: 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway (Semiahmoo Spit) 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. More information: www.draytonharbormaritime.org. Sponsored by Drayton Harbor Maritime.

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Drayton Harbor: Year-round Haven for Birds – by Joe Meche Where: Meet at Blaine Harbor Boating Center • 235 Marine Drive Cost: Free Joe Meche has been a birder for over 65 years, and is a well-known photographer. Through his photographs, he will present the diversity of bird species that may be seen throughout the year at Drayton Harbor, an area he knows intimately. Sponsored by Freeman Real Estate. NEW

10:30 to Noon Birding FUNdamentals for Kids’ Field Trip Where: Ticket Sales/Bus Departure from Blaine Middle School 975 H St. Cost: $5 - Bus seating is limited. (Limited to 14 participants.) For 8-15 years of age! Come along with the Blaine Birch Bay Park and Recreation folks on a magical mystery birding tour. This “kids only” birding field trip will incorporate all your senses to seek out and identify birds we find on our trip to Semiahmoo spit. Think of it as kind of a birding scavenger hunt… or… like Pokémon Go except real! Sponsored by Blaine-Birch Bay Parks & NEW

Recreation, District 2.

11 a.m. to Noon Youth “Wildlife Art” Workshop (Ages 8 and up) Maximum 15 participants Where: Blaine Middle School • 975 H Street Cost: Free Pacific Northwest artists Megan and Wendy Bloom, creators of Rainbow Orca Designs will guide participants in a nature and wildlife inspired art project. NEW

Sponsored by Orca Designs: Nature and Wildlife Indoor Sculptural Art and Paintings.

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wildlife Presentation: “Bald Eagles by the Thousands! Where do they come from?” by David Hancock Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria • 975 H Street • Cost: Free Biologist, filmmaker, writer and publisher David Hancock will discuss the once endangered eagles that are a conservation success story, with over 70,000 of these majestic birds thriving in North America today. Learn how we can be good neighbors with these fascinating wild friends.

1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Explore the Geology and the Birds of Birch Bay Where: Departure from Blaine Middle School Cafeteria • 975 H St. Cost: $6 (includes snack) This field trip offers both the novice and experienced birder the best opportunity to explore the abundance of birds along Birch Bay’s shoreline and wetlands. Enjoy a scenic bus ride and learn about the fascinating geology that makes this such an intriguing area and premiere birding location. Take a leisurely walk with birder Wayne Diaz, and geologist and avid birder Mike Price, to view birds close at hand. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. AMS, Automated Mailing and Print Services.

2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Live Raptor Presentation “Hunters of the Sky” by Sardis Raptor Center Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria • 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. NEW 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. PANEL DISCUSSION The Bird is the Word: Spreading the Word About Birding Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center • 975 H Street Cost: Free Jeff Morgenroth and Jeremy Schwartz, creators of the Backyard Birding Card Game, will lead a panel of birders and other wildlife enthusiasts in a discussion exploring how to get more people interested in the fascinating and wonderful hobby called birding.

Sponsored by Big Al’s Diner. NEW 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. FEATURED PRESENTATION BY TIM BOYER, “Understanding Shorebirds: The Miracle of Migration” Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center 975 H Street Cost: Free (donations welcome) An award winning nature photographer, Tim Boyer will discuss and share his knowledge of shorebirds. In an effort to understand their remarkable journeys, Tim will explore the trans-ocean migration of shorebird species that cross the majority of the Pacific Ocean. He’ll also discuss the potential global conservation and climate change solutions that these global migrants require.

Sponsored by Kathy Stauffer, Windermere Real Estate.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast for Birders: Enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet and presentation by David Drummond, wildlife biologist on “What do Savvy Merlin and Crows have in Common?” Where: Semiahmoo Golf Club’s Blue Heron Grill 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway • Cost: $18

Sponsored by Dave Hiller, Rockwood Realty.

NEW 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bird Photography for all Levels of Experience and Interest Where: Semiahmoo Golf Club’s Blue Heron Grill 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway • Cost: Free A workshop led by Tim Boyer for those who want to learn the fundamentals of bird photography through a birder’s perspective.

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Birding Walk at Birch Bay Where: BP Heron Center* 7878 Birch Bay Dr. • Birch Bay State Park • Cost: Free Join a birding walk around the trails and shoreline within Birch Bay State Park.