We invite you to join us (March 14 to 16), where you’ll find activities for all ages to enhance your outdoor experience and love of birding! Please check back soon for registration and event schedule information. To receive emailed notices with the most current information and updates, please sign up using the email link below. Also, check our Facebook page and Instagram for sneak previews and highlights. We look forward to seeing you in March!

Experience a Bird’s Eye View of Blaine Birch Bay & Semiahmoo as well as highlights of the Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival!

Schedule of Events:

8:30 am to 5:00 pm: Festival Headquarters: Registration, Tickets, and Information

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.

9:00 am to 10:30 am: BLAINE HARBOR AND MARINE PARK, GUIDED BIRDING FIELD TRIP

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

9:00 am to 11:00 am: SEMIAHMOO SPIT, GUIDED BIRDING FIELD TRIP

Where: Meet at Semiahmoo County Park, 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
Cost: Free, Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

This guided field trip by North Cascades Audubon Society offers both novice and experienced birders an excellent opportunity to explore the abundance of birdlife along Semiahmoo Spit, a 1.25-mile natural landform located between Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor. This trip includes a leisurely walk on both a paved trail and along the beach, allowing for close-up views of birds. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. There will also be time for a self-guided visit to the Alaska Packers Association Museum, where you can learn about the area's history

9:00 am to 10:am: THE ECOLOGY OF HUMMINGBIRDS

Where: Semiahmoo Resort Discovery Theater, 9565 Semiahmoo Drive, Blaine
Cost: Free, No registration required.

Note: If you’re interested in attending Gregory’s Photography Workshop which starts at 10:30, please check the schedule for details and registration

This presentation by Gregory Green, featuring his stunning photography on the theater’s 156-inch screen, will provide an overview of the unique ecology of this fascinating group of birds. It will contrast the Pacific Northwest with Ecuador and tell the captivating story of Anna’s hummingbird’s march north over the past 75 years. Over a decade ago, Greg was asked to explain why Anna's hummingbird overwinters in the PNW. This led to research and an article in Bird Watching Magazine. Since then, he has been lecturing on the ecology of hummingbirds. He recently returned from the cloud forests of Ecuador, where he photographed and observed a portion of the 132 species that live there. Greg is a career wildlife biologist and instructor at Western Washington University.

Greg has recently completed a stunning book. “Wild Live’s” on the wildlife of the world with nature photographer Art Wolfe

9:00 am to 10:am: DISCOVER FACINATING FACTS ABOUT OWLS OF THE NORTHWEST

Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: Free, No registration required

Join David Drummond, wildlife biologist and naturalist who has a lifetime of extensive field research on Merlins, Peregrine Falcons, as well as hawks and owls. Dive into the unique anatomical specializations of owls, exploring how these incredible birds are perfectly adapted for diurnal and nocturnal hunting. Learn about many of owl species found in the Northwest, including the Barn Owl, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, and Northern Pygmy Owl to name a few. Find out how they hunt, communicate and where they are distributed across the Northwest, adapting to each unique environment, from the dense forests of the
Olympic Peninsula to the open grasslands of Eastern Washington.

9:00 am to 5:00 pm: ALASKA PACKERS ASSOCIATION CANNERY AND FISHING MUSEUM

Where: 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
Cost: Free (donations welcome), No registration required.

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.

10:00 am to 5:00 pm: WOW ALL DAY BIRDING EXPO, FESTIVAL HEADQUARTERS AND INFORMATION

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.
Expo sponsored by: BP Cherry Point Refinery

10:00 am to 12:00 pm: SALISH SEA OPEN WATER BIRDING AND WILDLIFE CRUISE, by San Juan Cruises

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 100’ Salish Express. 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 a camera. The Salish Express is a larger vessel with more capacity for 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.)

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 15, starting at 8:30 am at WOW Headquarters, Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine

10:00 am to 3:00 pm: NORTH CASCADES AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRD VIEWING STATIONS

Where: Viewing Station maps will be available at the festival headquarters, Blaine Community Pavilion, Blaine.
Cost: Free, No registration required.

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 Society 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

10:00 am to 2:00 pm: BIRDTASTIC KIDS' ACTIVITIES

Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Free, No registration required

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

10:00 am 'till gone: KIDS' NEST BOX BUILDING

Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Donations Accepted, No registration required

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!)
Sponsored by: Blaine Pacific Building Center

10:00 am to Noon: EXPLORE THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF BIRCH BAY, GUIDED FIELD TRIP

Where: BP Heron Center Covered Picnic Area, 7290 Birch Bay Dr., Birch Bay State Park
Cost: Free, Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

Join Pam Borso of North Cascades Audubon Society 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.

*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.

10:30 am- 3:30 pm: FINDING THE RHYTHM IN NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP BY GREGORY GREEN

Where: Semiahmoo Resort Theater, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy, Blaine
Cost: $40 Space is limited; Pre-Registration Recommended

In this workshop, Gregory Green blends his expertise and creativity, while combining his wildlife biology background with photography and artistic inspiration. Attendees will learn how to find patterns and rhythms in nature, leading to unique photography opportunities regardless of the setting and location. You’ll learn to capture images that tell the story of the natural world in a fresh and compelling way.

Attendees should have at least a basic understanding of their photography gear. The workshop will primarily focus on using DSLR cameras with various lens sizes, rather than smartphone photography, although smartphone users are welcome and will benefit as well. While camera gear is not required for the 2-hour workshop, it will be beneficial during the field portion following the workshop

Gregory A. Green is a career wildlife biologist and instructor at Western Washington University. He is also a nature photographer and writer. His photography has been featured in BirdWatching Magazine, Popular Photography, Audubon calendars and most recently in Adventures Northwest Magazine. He has also taught photography workshops as part of the Kenmore Camera event series. He recently published the book Wild Lives with ArtWolfe highlighting the state of the world’s wildlife through photography and essays

10:30- 11:00 am: SARDIS RAPTOR CENTER HUNTERS OF THE SKY PRESENTATION*

Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Free, No registration required.

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

You can also get outside to view live birds in the wild* up close through a viewing scope by visiting the viewing stations on site at nearby Blaine Marine Park, Blaine Jorgensen Pier, Semiahmoo Park and Semiahmoo Parkway birding shelter on Saturday during the festival. Maps are available at the Birding Expo. *The birds most seen at the viewing stations are waterfowl, however it isn’t unusual to see an eagle or other raptor species!

11:00 to 12:30 pm: Volunteer Monitoring for Conservation at the Puget Sound Observatory

Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: Free, No registration required.

Puget Sound Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization of bird folks who perform monitoring as part of national programs. Donald Norman, state coordinator for the National Breeding Bird Survey will talk about PSBO volunteer programs such as the Secretive Waterbird Survey, the Puget Sound Seabird Survey, and the MAPS bird banding program which the PSBO provides training. Don will provide information on a new program monitoring Great Blue Herons right here in Whatcom County. He will present some of the goals of these projects and how you can get involved.

Donald has been a biologist for over 35 years. He received his MS at Western (Huxley College of the Env) where he studied environmental contaminants in herons. He has also worked as a bird bander for 30 years and is currently the state coordinator for the National Breeding Bird Survey. He also has a native plant nursery, Go Natives! Nursery, in Shoreline WA, where he focuses on native plants to improve the wildlife in your garden.

1:00 to 2:30 pm: BIRDING ESSENTIALS, PART 2

Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: Free, No registration required.

Back by Popular Demand! Presenter Joe Meche offers even more of 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 birdwatching etiquette.

Joe will begin with the basics, including field guides, birdwatching 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 System of 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!

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm : SALISH SEA OPEN WATER BIRDING AND WILDLIFE CRUISE, by San Juan Cruises

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.

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: EXPLORE THE BIRDS OF BIRCH BAY, GUIDED FIELD TRIP

Where: Meet at the BP Heron Center, 7290 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay State Park*
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.

Alex Jefferes and Pam Jacobs from North Cascades Audubon Society will team up for this field trip 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.

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm: WINGS UNDER WATER PRESENTATION

Where: Semiahmoo Resort Theater 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
Cost: Free

Join David Drummond, wildlife biologist and naturalist who has a lifetime of extensive field research on Merlins, Peregrine Falcons, as well as hawks and owls. His presentation in the Discovery Theater will be shown on a 156" screen and will highlight diving ducks, cormorants, kingfishers, Harbor Seals, river otters, to show the water's diverse micro- niches and their feathered, furred and finned vertebrate diversity. Field trip to follow at 3:00- 4:00 pm.

3:00 pm to 4:00 pm: WINGS UNDER WATER FIELD TRIP

Meet in front of the Semiahmoo Marina Cafe
9540 Semiahmoo Prkwy, Blaine
Cost: Free, Pre-registration is recommended.

This field trip is an extension of David’s Wings Under Water presentation, to view the diving ducks and birds and other mammals such as harbor seals close at hand near the Semiahmoo Dock and Marina . Stop in the cafe' for coffee and a snack! Others are also encouraged to join as space is available. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

2:30 pm to 3:00 pm: SARDIS RAPTOR CENTER PRESENTATION*

Where: Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street, Blaine
Cost: Free, No registration required.

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

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm: JORGENSEN PIER BIRDWATCH*

Where: Meet at the parking lot at the end of Blaine Marine Drive.
Cost: Free, Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

This includes a short 1-block walk to the pier- accessible for users of walkers and wheelchairs.

Join Joe Meche, avid birder, wildlife photographer and writer, on a leisurely walk to Jorgensen Pier. The pier, named after the beloved Blaine icon Jim Jorgensen, offers exceptional bird-watching opportunities. Accessible from the parking lot at the end of Marine Drive by a short one-block walk, this prominent overwater pier, is located on the channel between Blaine Harbor and Semiahmoo Spit. It’s the perfect spot to view a wide variety of birds up close, whether feeding nearby or flying overhead. We’ll spend an hour and a half here to see how many species we can check off our lists. The pier is equipped with benches and picnic tables for your use and comfort while watching the birds. This is also an ideal location for using a scope to spot birds farther out in the channel. Dress for inclement weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm: FEATURED, KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: BY LYANDA LYNN HAUPT

Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: No registration required. (Donations are very welcome!)

Lyanda Lynn Haupt is an award-winning author, naturalist, and ecophilosopher whose work bridges science and poetic prose to explore the deep connections between humans and the natural world. Known for her thought-provoking writing, Lyanda has authored several acclaimed books, including Mozart’s Starling, Crow Planet, Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent, and Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit. Her writing, recognized with prestigious awards such as the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award and the Washington State Book Award, reflects her passion for the wild and its profound lessons. Lyanda’s experience spans diverse roles, from directing educational programs for Seattle Audubon to seabird research in the Pacific and raptor rehabilitation in Vermont. Her essays have been featured in notable publications like Orion, Discover, and the LA Times.

Lyanda’s keynote will offer insights from her rich experiences, blending scientific understanding with literary elegance, urging us to reflect on our relationship with the wild, urban nature, and the wisdom inherent in both.

Following the presentation, Lyanda’s books will be available for purchase and signing.

7:30 to 9:30 pm: OWL PROWL NOCTURNE FIELD TRIP

Meet: Birch Bay Parks and Recreation Gym, 7511 Gemini St. Birch Bay
Cost: $10 Space is limited. Pre-registration Recommended

We'll be meeting at the gym in the parking lot. Please be prompt to ride the Birch Bay Parks and Rec passenger bus to Birch Bay State Park where we will be walking along a paved road in an unlit wooded section of park listening and trying a variety of species calls, to perhaps, "lure" a response from resident and transiting owls, such as Western Screech, Saw-whet, Barred, N. Pygmy or even Great-horned Owls. This will be a great opportunity to witness these nighttime "specialists"!

*Bring your curiosity, patience, "owl ears and eyes”, a headlamp or flashlight and dress for the weather. Hot chocolate will be provided! AND, you too, might learn to "Give a Hoot”!

*We will be entering the park after hours by special permission from park staff. Note the gates into the park will be closed to vehicles.