Birders making a migration to 13th Olympic BirdFest

The 13th year Olympic BirdFest brings together people of all ages and areas to explore all things bird.

April 6, 2016 5:07 pm
By both land and sea groups of birders of all levels and interests flock together to explore the Olympic Peninsula from Neah Bay to Sequim Bay throughout the annual
By both land and sea groups of birders of all levels and interests flock together to explore the Olympic Peninsula from Neah Bay to Sequim Bay throughout the annual

Olympic BirdFest

When: Friday-Sunday, April 15-17; San Juan Island Cruise Tuesday-Thursday, April 12-14; Neah Bay Birding by Land & Sea Monday-Tuesday, April 18-19.

Cost and location: Varies; dependent on event

More info: Visit www.olympicbirdfest.org or call the Dungeness River Audubon Center at 681-4076.

 

For the 13th year the Olympic BirdFest is bringing together people of all ages and areas to explore all things bird. Participants of the annual festival have opportunities to sharpen their photography skills, learn the history and legends behind totem poles of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, embark on multi- or all-day birding adventures both on land and water from the San Juan Islands, Neah Bay to Sequim Bay.

“Last time we checked we have people coming from B.C. and 12 other states, not including Washington,” Vanessa Fuller, BirdFest event director and Dungeness River Audubon Center administrative services and development manager, said.

The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, a partner of the Dungeness River Audubon Center, first launched BirdFest 13 years ago. Since, the festival has developed into one of the largest annual events aimed at supporting educational programs and operations of the center and Railroad Bridge Park.

Within the past three years registration has increased from 139 to more than 240 already registered for this year’s festival, Fuller said.

“We’ve added more field trips and another couple of day excursions,” she said. “In addition to partnering with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, we’re also now working the with Makah Tribe.”

The event “Neah Bay Birding by Land & Sea” takes its participants on a unique, two-day birding experience at one the most remote and wild birding areas within the state, Fuller explained. During the trip birders will explore some of the Makah Indian Nation’s most beautiful birding hot spots and set out on a 6-hour offshore boat trip to view pelagic sea birds and marine mammals.

The visit to Neah Bay and its surrounding waters is one of many diverse adventures slated during BirdFest. Other events include, but aren’t limited to: a three-day cruise to the San Juan Islands, a “Totem Tour” guided by carver Dale Faulstich, coastal birding between Sequim Bay and the Elwha River, a local look at birds in Sequim Bay and John Wayne Marina, birding in a migratory flyway near the Dungeness River, a cruise around the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge Protection Island, a live raptor presentation, an all-day field trip devoted to exploring the Elwha River mouth, Ediz Hook and Dungeness Bay, a unique visit to the Dry Creek Waterfowl Breeding Sanctuary, a bird drawing class and a nature and landscape photography class.

“Our field trips are designed to accommodate birders at all levels,” Bob Boekelheide, OPAS co-vice president, BirdFest trip organizer and naturalist, said.

For beginning birders or for those with limited stamina, Boekelheide suggested any of the three-hour field trips at John Wayne Marina, Dungeness Spit or Three Crabs may be more enjoyable and productive.

Both birders and non-birders alike can enjoy the more art-focused BirdFest events, such as the “Bird Drawing Class” with Robert Amaral or “Nature & Landscape Photography” with John Greengo.

“John Greengo is an amazing photographer so it’s great to have the chance to have him come out to the Olympic Peninsula to teach,” Fuller said.

Greengo’s class targets intermediate photographers seeking to take their skills to the next level with an “expert” teacher, she said.

For the younger bird enthusiasts, Fuller is excited to include a free, live raptor presentation in this year’s festival. At 7 p.m., Friday, April 15, in the Sequim Middle School cafeteria, Jaye Moore, Northwest Raptor and Wildlife Center director, will bring an assortment of raptors for the audience to see and appreciate.

“To hear the stories behind the birds, see them live and how they interact with people is pretty amazing,” Fuller said. “The educational presentation appeals to everyone, but it always seems to be big with children.”

Throughout BirdFest the Dungeness River Audubon Center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road, in Railroad Bridge Park will act as the festival headquarters where participants can regroup, get information and directions. Additionally, the park offers its own birding experience as a designated “Important Bird Area” with more than 125 species.

“It’s nice to come to the center, have a cup of coffee and talk over the different or shared experiences with others participating in the festival,” Fuller said.

In partnership with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and OPAS, the center facilitates outdoor classroom learning focused on nature with an overall mission to inspire understanding, enjoyment and stewardship of the Olympic Peninsula’s unique natural and cultural resources with emphasis on birds, rivers, fish and people.

“BirdFest not only gets people outdoors for birding, it also helps with supporting the valuable River Center programs,” Eftin Strong, BirdFest founder and life-time OPAS member, said.

Festival events are continuing to fill up and some are full, Fuller said.

For an updated list of events and availability, visit www.olympicbirdfest.org/events or call the Dungeness River Audubon Center at 681-4076.

Registration and payment is done online and prior registration is required for all field trips.