BirdFest: A Wide Sky Full of Events

The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce is presenting the Orcas Island Bird and Wildlife Festival from April 10 – 12, 2014. It will start with a dinner and keynote speech by author Thor Hanson on Thursday, April 10.

Registration requires a $30 fee. Some events do not require registration, some are free, but for the best BirdFest experience, go to  Register Now!:

Friday, April 11:

7 AM – 9 AM: Birding walk on Crescent Beach Preserve with ornithologist Kim Middleton (limited to 15 people). Meet at Buck Park on Mt. Baker Rd.  The easy 2 mile walk will focus on bird identification, vocalizations and bird sign as we move through open shrubby habitat, coniferous forest, wetlands, and beach habitat. Free with registration.

8 AM – 10:30 AM: Nature hike on Turtleback Mountain Preserve with Ruthie Dougherty, San Juan County Land Bank Steward (limited to 15 people).  Our apologies, but we have reached capacity for this activity.

9 AM – 12 PM: Marine nature tour to southern Lopez Island with Orcas Island Eclipse Charters. Ecologist and historian Russel Barsh of KWIATH and naturalist and birder Deb Martyn will lead this trip through the island to the southern end of Lopez Island at Iceberg Point.  Watch for birds and mammals, learn about the history of the area and immerse into the complexity of food webs.  Check-in at 9 am; 9:30 am departure from Orcas Landing by the ferry dock.  $52 pp. Registration required.

9:30 AM – 1 PM: Sucia Island bird and wildlife tour with Outer Island Expeditions.  Abundant wildlife, like guillemots, auklets, loon, oystercatchers and raptors, as well as seals, sealion, porpoise and whales may be seen while cruising among the unusual geologic formations that make up the islands around Sucia.  Check-in at 9:30 am; 10 am departure from Brandt’s Landing (Smuggler’s Villa Resort). $42 pp.  Registration required.

10:30 AM – 1 PM: Marine bird watching boat tour with Deer Harbor Charters to Spieden Island.  The unusual climatic effects on the island along with mysterious foreign wildlife make Spieden Island a must see destination.  Long-time birder Howard Barbour and naturalist Natalie Herner will point out the birds and wildlife that are native to the San Juan Islands as well as the exotic animals that make Spieden Island their home.  Check-in at 10:30 am; 11 am departure from Deer Harbor Marina.  $42 pp.  Registration required.

11 AM – 4 PM: Marine kayak trip with Shearwater Kayak Tours to The Nature Conservancy’s Yellow Island. One of the San Juan Island’s best spring experiences takes you to Yellow Island where native grasses and wildflowers abound.  April is the height of the wild flower bloom and local birds are singing their hearts out.  Check-in at 11 am; 11:30 am departure from Deer Harbor Marina.  $70 pp.  Registration required.

10:30 AM – 1 PM:  Marine wildlife kayak tour along the north end of Orcas Island to Point Doughty with Outer Island Expeditions. Experience the serene beauty of the San Juans and the multitude of marine life.  Check-in at 10:30 am; 11 am departure from Brandt’s Landing (Smuggler’s Villa Resort). $42 pp.  Registration required.

10 AM – 4 PM: Self-guide driving tour: “Birding the Gardens of Orcas.”  Presented by the Orcas Island Garden Club.  Maps available from Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce.  Please call (360-376-2273) or email to inquire.  Free to the public; no registration needed.

1 PM – 3 PM: “Capturing Birds in Watercolor” workshop with artist Caroline Buchanan (limited to 12 people). You will be surprised at how easy it is, with just a few brush strokes and some practice you will learn how to get a quick likeness of your favorite birds.  Event is free with registration, but there is a $20 fee for supplies.

PM – 4 PM: “Fundamentals of Birding” with ornithologist Kim Middleton. Join this lively presentation on the central elements of bird watching.  Creating a ‘first impression’ of a bird is vital to the success of identification.  Explore crucial bird features, learn basic behaviors and recognize habitats that are used to identify a bird. Free with registration.

3 PM – 5 PM: “Bird & Fish Interactions on Fishing Bay” with Russel Barsh of KWIAHT.  Learn about the complex relationship between birds and the forage fish of the Salish Sea.  Free with registration.

7 PM – 8 PM: “Western Bluebird Reintroduction in the San Juan Islands” with Kathleen Foley, Stewardship Manager, San Juan Preservation Trust.  Since 2007, The San Juan Preservation Trust and other conservation partners have been working to reintroduce the native Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) back to its historic home in the Salish Sea. Extirpated since the 1960’s due to habitat loss, learn about the successful efforts to reestablish this species in our islands and beyond, thanks to the cooperation of enthusiastic private landowners. Natural history, reintroduction methodology,  and current project status will be covered. Open to the public; no registration required.

8 PM – 9 PM:  “Salmon, A Keystone Species: Stories About Salmon, Eagles, Orcas and more” with Barbara Rosenkotter, San Juan County Salmon Recovery Coordinator.  The survival and health of more than 137 species of mammals, birds and other fish depend on salmon. Salmon are the biological foundation of coastal ecosystems and play a critical role in maintaining the structure of our ecological community, affecting many other organisms and helping to determine the types and numbers of other species.  Open to the public; no registration required.

These amazing classes, talks & activities will fill up fast! Don’t forget to click Register Now!

Saturday, April 12
7 AM – 9 AM: Birding walk on Crescent Beach Preserve with Kim Middleton (limited to 15 people).  Meet at Buck Park on Mt. Baker Rd.  The easy 2 mile walk will focus on bird identification, vocalizations and bird sign as we move through open shrubby habitat, coniferous forest, wetlands, and beach habitat.  Free with registration.

7:30 AM – 1 PM: Birding Orcas Island with the San Juan Islands Audubon Society.  SJI Audubon chapter president, Barbara Jensen will lead an auto tour exploring great Orcas locations looking for lingering seabirds, swans and ducks and arriving warblers and other songbirds. This is a superb trip to tune up for spring bird songs.  Meet at the Orcas ferry dock to carpool.  Space is limited, call 360-378-3068.  Free to the public; no registration needed.

8 AM – 10 AM: Discover the natural wonders of Moran State Park with naturalist Natalie Herner (limited to 15 people).  Moran State Park is nearly 5,600 acres, has 5 fresh water lakes, 30 miles of hiking trails and hosts the highest point in the San Juans, Mt Constitution.  Meet at the Cascade Lake Day Use parking area.  Discovery Pass required.  Free with registration.

9 AM – 12 PM: Marine nature tour to southern Lopez Island with Orcas Island Eclipse Charters. Ecologist and historian Russel Barsh of KWIATH and naturalist and birder Deb Martyn will lead this trip through the island to the southern end of Lopez Island at Iceberg Point.  Watch for birds and mammals, learn about the history of the area and immerse into the complexity of food webs.  Check-in at 9 am; 9:30 am departure from Orcas Landing by the ferry dock.  $52 pp. Registration required.

9:30 AM – 1 PM: Sucia Island bird and wildlife tour with Outer Island Expeditions   Abundant wildlife, like guillemots, auklets, loon, oystercatchers and raptors, as well as seals, sealion, porpoise and whales may be seen while cruising among the unusual geologic formations that make up the islands around Sucia.  Check-in at 9:30 am; 10 am departure from Brandt’s Landing (Smuggler’s Villa Resort).  $42 pp.  Registration required.

10:30 AM – 1 PM: Marine bird watching boat tour with Deer Harbor Charters to Spieden Island.  The unusual climatic effects on the island along with mysterious foreign wildlife make Spieden Island a must see destination.  Long-time birder Howard Barbour and naturalist Natalie Herner will point out the birds and wildlife that are native to the San Juan Islands as well as the exotic animals that make Spieden Island their home.  Check-in at 10:30 am; 11 am departure from Deer Harbor Marina.  $42 pp.  Registration required.

11 AM – 4 PM: Marine kayak trip with Shearwater Kayak Tours to The Nature Conservancy’s Yellow Island. One of the San Juan Island’s best spring experiences takes you to Yellow Island where native grasses and wildflowers abound.  April is the height of the wild flower bloom and local birds are singing their hearts out.  Check-in at 11 am; 11:30 am departure from Deer Harbor Marina.  $70 pp.  Registration required.

10:30 AM – 1 PM: Marine wildlife kayak tour along the north end of Orcas Island to Point Doughty with Outer Island Expeditions. Experience the serene beauty of the San Juans and the multitude of marine life.  Check-in at 10:30 am; 11 am departure from Brandt’s Landing (Smuggler’s Villa Resort).  $42 pp.  Registration required.

10 AM – 4 PM: Self-guide driving tour: ‘Birding the Gardens of Orcas.’  Presented by the Orcas Island Garden Club.  Maps available from Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce.  Please call (360-376-2273) or email to inquire.  Free to the public; no registration needed.

10 AM – 2 PM: Farmers Market on the Village Green in Eastsound, located on North Beach Road. Enjoy the variety of arts and crafts, food, children’s activities and informational booths taking part on the Green.  Free to the public; no registration needed.

11 AM – 11:30 AM: ‘Bird Parade’ on North Beach Road in Eastsound.  Orcas Island is also known as “Parade Island!”  Enjoy the outrageous costumes for our Festival.  Free to the public; no registration needed.

11 AM – 4 PM: ‘Art Walk’ through Eastsound Village.  Orcas Island has many talented and acclaimed artists.  Enjoy your stroll through Eastsound and take in the galleries and art studios.

2 PM – 4 PM: “Photographing Birds” with Peter Fisher and Richard Lee (limited to 20 people). These two accomplished photographers will answer your questions and share some of the secrets of the trade.  Free with registration.

2 PM – 4 PM: “Wild Neighbors” with Shona Aitken, Education Coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Cute, pesky, fascinating or scary – how do you think of our wild animal neighbors?  How do your pets, house or car impact wildlife?  Can you reduce problems such as herons eating the fish in your pond or swallows pooping on your deck?  In this informative presentation you will learn about living with our wild neighbors.  Free with registration.

2 PM – 4 PM: “Creating Compelling Birds in Art” with artist Kim Middleton.  Learn tips about bird anatomy, behavior and individual personality that will help the artist communicate his or her message and mood about their subject.  Discussion will include improving photographic references, creating a compelling composition and addressing misconceptions.  Bring reference materials or your work for group critique or to ask specific questions.  Free with registration.

2 PM – 4 PM: “Raptor Identification”  with Dan Varland at Coastal Raptors.  Western Washington is a renowned raptor mecca.  In this class, learn the identifying characteristics and behavior of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls, and how to tell a Merlin from Peregrine, a Sharp-shinned Hawk from a Cooper’s Hawk or a screech-owl from a Great Horded Owl.  Free with registration.

7 PM – 8 PM: “Coastal Raptor Research” with Dr. Dan Varland.  Discover the exciting world of raptor research being conducted on Washington’s coast.  Coastal Raptors volunteers track raptor movements and monitor environmental health. Open to the public; no registration required.

8 PM – 9 PM: “The Birds of Japan” with Joe Massey, coauthor of “A Field Guide to the Birds of Japan”, the only English language bird identification book on Japanese birds.  Joe has spent a great deal of time in Japan and will share his birding experiences and adventures.  Open to the public; no registration required.