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:

9:00 am to 11:00 am : BIRDING BREAKFAST AND PRESENTATION:

Where: Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine
Cost: $20,* Space is limited. Preregistration is recommended.

Join us for a delightful breakfast along with bird-friendly coffee, tea, and juice, followed by an engaging presentation by Chris Templeton, Assistant Professor of Biology at Western Washington University. Discover how chickadees, those cheerful little birds that brighten our feeders, not only have adorable appearances but also impressive brains. Chris will share from his research on the vocal repertoire of these feisty birds, exploring how subtle variations in their iconic ‘chick-a-dee’ call convey sophisticated information that is used by chickadees and many other bird species

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 offers the novice and experienced birder the 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 Alex Jeffers and Helen Dolejsi from 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, 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine. (Open 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm).

10 am – 2 pm: ENJOY HOT BEVERAGES! Provided by Friends of the Birch Bay Library

BP Heron Center, 7290 Birch Bay Dr. Birch Bay State Park

10 am & 12 pm: KID’S STORY TIME by Friends of the Birch Bay Library

BP Heron Center, 7290 Birch Bay Dr. Birch Bay State Park

10:30 am to Noon: BIRDS AND BEAKS: FAMILY BIRD INVESTIGATION

Where: BP Heron Center Covered Picnic Area, 7290 Birch Bay Dr. Birch Bay State Park*
Space is limited. Adult must accompany children.
Cost: Free, No registration required. (Best for families with children 5 & up)

*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.

Have you ever wondered what makes a bird…a bird? Join experienced naturalists Kate Kohut and Holly Roger of Wild Whatcom for a family-oriented introduction to birding which includes fun, kid-friendly activities, and a bird walk to explore Birch Bay State Park! Discover the difference between seed-cracking, bug-eating and fish gulping beaks, and learn what to look and listen for when identifying our feathered friends. Best for families

This is an outdoor activity. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear walking shoes. Sponsored by: Wild Whatcom & Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Rec Dist. 2

11:30 am to 1:00 pm: 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, 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.

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm: BIRDS AND BEAKS: FAMILY BIRD INVESTIGATION

Where: BP Heron Center Covered Picnic Area, 7290 Birch Bay Dr. Birch Bay State Park*

Space is limited. Adult must accompany children.
Cost: Free, No registration required. (Best for families with children 5 & up)

*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.

Have you ever wondered what makes a bird…a bird? Join experienced naturalists Kate Kohut and Holly Roger of Wild Whatcom for a family-oriented introduction to birding which includes fun, kid-friendly activities, and a bird walk to explore Birch Bay State Park! Discover the difference between seed-cracking, bug-eating and fish gulping beaks, and learn what to look and listen for when identifying our feathered friends. Best for families with kids 5 and up. Please bring binoculars if you have them.

Sponsored by: Wild Whatcom & Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Rec Dist. 2

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: BIRCH BAY, BIRDS AND BREW GUIDED NATURE WALK

Where: Meet at BP Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park, 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 in a guided nature walk in Birch Bay State Park by Pam Borso of North Cascades Audubon Society to learn about the natural history of this unique area and the birds and native plants that thrive here.

After the walk, come and socialize over beer (no host) at nearby Beach Cat Brewery, 7876 Birch Bay Drive.

1:00 pm 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. A museum volunteer will be available to provide a presentation about this rich time in Blaine’s history.

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: 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 offers the novice and experienced birder the 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 John & Jane Aspnes from 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, 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine. (Open 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm)

Sponsored by: North Cascades Audubon Society