Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival

Schedule:

Festival Headquarters: Registration, Tickets, and Information
Saturday, March 16, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine

The Festival Information Table will open at 8:30 am to provide information during the Expo on Saturday. Note that limited-space and seating events often sell out prior to the festival. Preregistration is recommended through Eventbrite at www.wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com or on the Wings Over Water’s Facebook page.

Blaine Harbor and Marine Park, Guided Birding Field Trip
Saturday, March 16, 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Where: Meet in front of the Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive, Blaine
Cost: Free: Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

Join Joe Meche, an avid birder, wildlife photographer and writer, on a leisurely walk along the waterfront of Blaine Harbor and Marine Park to experience the birds along the way of this most northerly Important Bird Area (IBA) of Washington. The entire walk is on level ground and will be a low-key meander along the shorelines, starting and ending at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Tickets

Semiahmoo Spit, Guided Birding Field Trip
Saturday, March 16, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: Meet at Semiahmoo County Park, 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
Cost: Free, Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

This guided field trip offers both the novice and experienced birder the best opportunity to explore the abundance of birds along Semiahmoo Spit, a 1.25 mile natural land spit located between Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor. Take a leisurely walk, led by Lynne Givler and Keith Carpenter of North Cascade Audubon Society, 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. Allow time on your own for an opportunity to stop at the Alaska Packers Association Museum to learn about the history of the area.

Tickets

Swans of Winter, Wildlife Presentation
Saturday, March 16, 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: Free

Join presenter Martha Jordan, well-known swan biologist and Executive Director of Northwest Swan Conservation Association, a regional non-profit. 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. Learn about the life history and biology of Washington’s native trumpeter and tundra swans and ways to contribute to our understanding of these magnificent birds through the enjoyment of spending time outdoors. You’ll also discover the importance of "Birding with Awareness" to create connections between ecotourism, conservation and agricultural interests and their relationship in sharing and protecting waterfowl habitats.

WOW All Day Birding Expo, Festival Headquarters and Information
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Donations welcome, fees may apply for some activities.

From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Blaine Community Pavilion, enjoy free activities for the whole family: Sardis Raptor Center live raptor presentations, kids’ activities, art & craft vendors, wildlife exhibits, displays and more.

Salish Sea Open Water Birding and Wildlife Cruise, by San Juan Cruises
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Arrive at the boat dock no later than 9:45 am. Boat departs promptly at 10:00 am)
Where: Semiahmoo Resort Plover Dock on Semiahmoo Spit, 9565 Semiahmoo Dr., Blaine
Cost: $65 per person (ages limited to 12 & up) Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

Please note that there is a 10:00 am to noon and a 12:30 to 2:30 pm cruise. Join us for a two-hour offshore cruise from Semiahmoo Spit aboard the 50-foot Salish Sea. View a diverse variety of birds in the rich waters of Boundary Bay and Semiahmoo Bay. A professional naturalist will be aboard to help spot the birds and wildlife you'll see along the way. Dress for the weather, bring binoculars and camera. The Salish Sea has indoor seating, as well as ample outdoor viewing areas on two levels of the boat. (The cruise is subject to cancellation due to rough sea conditions. If this should happen, prepaid registration fees will be refunded.)

North Cascades Audubon Society Bird Viewing Stations
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Viewing Station maps will be available at the festival headquarters, Blaine
Community Pavilion, Blaine.
Cost: Free

Seeing is Believing! You will be amazed at the number of interesting bird species you can see close at hand and viewed through a spotting scope. Knowledgeable birders from North Cascade Audubon will assist and answer questions. Pick up viewing location maps at the Festival Headquarters table, Blaine Pavilion, 635 8th St. Blaine, WA beginning at 8:30 am on Saturday.

Birdtastic Kids' Activities
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Free

Kids will flock here to participate in arts & crafts provided by local Ellen Clark and Blaine Birch Bay Park and Rec District 2.

Kids' Nest Box Building
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am 'till gone
Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Suggested Donation $2

Build a nest box to invite local birds to make your backyard their home!
(This activity requires adult supervision)
(For kid’s up to age 14 while supplies last!)

Alaska Packers Association Cannery and Fishing Museum
Saturday, March 16, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
Cost: Free (donations welcome)

Experience local maritime history! Housed in an original Alaska Packers cannery building, the museum’s 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.

Explore the Flora and Fauna of Birch Bay, Guided Field Trip
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am to Noon
Where: Meet at the BP Heron Center's Covered Picnic Area, 7290 Birch Bay Drive, Birch
Bay State Park, Birch Bay*
Cost: Free, Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

*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.
Join Pam Borso of North Cascades Audubon for a nature walk in the Birch Bay State Park from the Heron Center to the Nature Trail. She will cover the natural history and use of native plants.

We will listen to birds along the way.

Tickets

Building Birding Skills with Birding Apps
Saturday, March 16, 11:00 am to 12:30 am
Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: Free

Have you been looking to find a hands-on way to build upon your skills as a birder? Learn how and why we benefit from bird conservation by using available apps. Holly Merker will focus on understanding and maximizing the benefits of the most popular apps, eBird, Merlin, and iNaturalist to enhance participants' skills as birders. The program will begin indoors, then will shift outside for hands-on instruction on how to use the apps while enriching your knowledge and understanding of the birds and natural world around you.

Live Raptor Presentation: “Hunters of the Sky,” by Sardis Raptor Center
Saturday, March 16, 30 min presentations: 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm
Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Free

This is an exciting opportunity to have an up-close experience with magnificent birds of prey!
All birds shown have injuries that prevent their return to the wild and are residents of the center.

Birding Essentials
Saturday, March 16, 12:30 to 2:00 pm
Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: Free

Presenter Joe Meche offers a visual tutorial on everything you always wanted to know about becoming a birdwatcher. Even if you're already into birds, there will be things to cover that you might not have considered, like the all-important practice of bird watching etiquette. Joe will begin with the basics, including field guides, bird watching optics like binoculars and scopes and even cameras, for those who wish to capture the beauty of birds. His presentation will conclude with photographs of birds you might see locally utilizing the Peterson Guide to Field Identification, which is based on bird behavior and habitat selection. Joe is an avid birder, photographer, and writer who recalls learning his first birds from his Grandpa about 72 years ago—so he's been at it for a while!

Salish Sea Open Water Birding and Wildlife Cruise, by San Juan Cruises
Saturday, March 16, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm (Arrive at the boat dock no later than 12:15 pm. Boat departs promptly at 12:30 pm)
Where: Semiahmoo Resort Plover Dock on Semiahmoo Spit, 9565 Semiahmoo Dr., Blaine
Cost: $65 per person. Ages limited to 12 & up. Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.*

Join us for a two-hour off-shore cruise from Semiahmoo Spit aboard the 50-foot Salish Sea. View a diverse variety of birds in the rich waters of Boundary Bay and Semiahmoo Bay. A professional naturalist will be aboard to help spot the birds and wildlife you'll see along the way. Dress for the weather, bring binoculars and camera. The Salish Sea has indoor seating, as well as ample outdoor viewing areas on two levels of the boat. (The cruise is subject to cancellation due to rough sea conditions. If this should happen, prepaid registration fees will be refunded.)

Please note that there is a 10 am to noon and a 12:30 to 2:30 pm cruise.

*Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended. Seating is limited and may be sold out prior to the festival. Purchasing tickets online ahead of time online is recommended through Eventbrite at www.wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com. Any unsold tickets may be purchased in person on Saturday, March 16, starting at 8:30 am at WOW Headquarters, Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine.

Tickets

Explore the Birds of Birch Bay, Guided Field Trip
Saturday, March 16, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Meet at the BP Heron Center, 7290 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay State Park, Birch Bay*
Cost: Free, Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

*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.

Paul Woodcock and Pam Borso of North Cascades Audubon will team up to provide their expertise in birding and natural history in this nature walk along the shoreline and forested trails of Birch Bay State Park to view an abundance of birds in one of the few remaining saltwater and freshwater estuaries in north Puget Sound.

Tickets

Live Raptor Presentation: "Hunters of the Sky," by Sardis Raptor Center
Saturday, March 16, 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Free

This is an exciting opportunity to have an up-close experience with many magnificent birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. All birds shown have injuries that prevent their return to the wild and are residents of the center.

Blaine Harbor and Marine Park, Guided Birding Field Trip
Saturday, March 16, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Meet in front of the Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive, Blaine
Cost: Free, Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

Join Joe Meche, an avid birder, wildlife photographer and writer, on a leisurely walk along the waterfront of Blaine Harbor and Marine Park to experience the birds along the way of this most northerly Important Bird Area (IBA) of Washington. The entire walk is on level ground and will be a low-key meander along the shorelines, starting and ending at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center. Dress for inclement weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Tickets

The Ecology of Hummingbirds
Saturday, March 16, 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: Free

This presentation by Gregory Green will provide an overview of the unique ecology of this extraordinary group of birds, contrasting the Pacific Northwest with Ecuador, and will tell the fascinating story of Anna’s hummingbird’s march north over the past 75 years. Greg is a career wildlife biologist and instructor at Western Washington University. Over a decade ago, Greg was asked to explain why we have a hummingbird that overwinters in the PNW (Anna’s), which culminated into research and an article in Bird Watching Magazine. He has since been lecturing on the ecology of hummingbirds, and recently returned from the cloud forests of Ecuador where
he photographed and observed a portion of the 132 species that live there.

Featured, Keynote Presentation: The Power of Bird Watching, by Holly Merker
Saturday, March 16, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: Free (Donations are very welcome!)

This presentation will delve into our connections to birds, how to maximize the wellness benefits of birding, and learn about the latest research surrounding the impact of birds on our self-care and wellbeing. Research shows that connecting with nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. Birds are gateways into deeper experiences with nature, magnifying these benefits. Through observation, we can learn not only about birds, but gain insight into our own lives while exploring our connection to the world around us. This fosters stewardship and bolsters conservation. Holly will be available after the presentation to answer questions and to sign copies of her award winning book, Ornitherapy For Your Mind, Body, and Soul.