Near-extinct bird exhibit at SJ Sculpture Park

||| FROM KRISTEN ARNIM for SAN JUAN SCULPTURE PARK |||

Last year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed 21 species from the list of species protected under the Endangered Species Act because of extinction. The extinct species include eight of Hawaii’s precious honeycreeper birds, the Little Mariana fruit bat of Guam, the Bridled White-eye, and the Bachman’s warbler.

In tribute to extinct birds from the Dodo to the latest Honeycreeper, San Juan Island artist David Halpern has created an exhibit of Near-Extinct Birds for the San Juan Island Sculpture Park. Taking the form of a treasure hunt or game of hide and seek, the exhibit
wanders through the entire 20 acre park. Yellow bird beaks are posted within 30 feet of nine different “Near-Extinct Birds” and visitors try their luck at spotting the one-of-a-kind birds.

According to the artist’s tongue-in-cheek description, the birds featured in the exhibit “once lived in great abundance throughout the San Juan Islands but it’s now believed just a single bird of each of the following still exists.”

The exhibit is designed to be a self-guided tour as park visitors wander the fields and forest exploring the other permanent sculptures in the park. Each of nine birds is tucked into the bushes or hiding in the tall grasses, but visible to the observant birder. “Wildlife extinction is a serious issue,” says Halpern, “but this is meant to be a fun way to increase awareness of the animals who share our forests, beaches, and grasslands.”

The Sculpture Park also offers a guided bird walk with avid birder Tyler Davis, April through October on the first Wednesday of each month from 8–10 a.m. “Our islands have so many local and migratory birds we sometimes forget the risks they face,” Halpern said. “The bird walks with Tyler are so inspiring. He knows so much about what’s here and what’s not here. I’m hoping the Near-Extinct Bird exhibit, with a dose of humor to address the issue, will inspire park visitors as well.”

To get the field guide and for more information, visit the Park’s website at sjisculpturepark.com/events.