11th Annual Wings Over Water/Northwest Birding Festival

Joe Meche is a past president of the North Cascades Audubon Society and is still active in chapter affairs.He has been watching birds for more than 50 years and photographing birds an

The growing popularity of bird watching across the country years ago sparked an interest not only in birds but also in conservation and restoration of essential habitat for the birds people were watching. To better facilitate visitors and to tap into the economic potential of bird watching, birding trails were created highlighting many of the best places to observe birds. The first state to tap into this new resource was Texas, which established the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail in 1996.

The concept of birding trails caught on and continued in several other states, including Washington. This idea eventually evolved into celebrations of the birds themselves, often around the time that northbound birds stopped at certain locations during migration. Currently there are more than two hundred festivals in the United States, dedicated to the celebration of specific birds or birds in general.

A little more than eleven years ago, a handful of people got together for the first time to discuss the possibility of staging a birding festival in Blaine. This group included members of the Washington Brant Foundation, the North Cascades Audubon Society, representatives from the city of Blaine, and interested community members. The motivation for a festival was to draw attention to one of the best places for winter bird watching in the state, right here in Whatcom County.

The Semiahmoo Bay/Drayton Harbor area had recently gained recognition as one of the premier sites in the first round of designated Important Bird Areas in Washington state. Soon after that designation, this same area became the northwest anchor for the Cascade Loop – the first loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail. One factor that drew the attention of the committee was that some of the largest concentrations of wintering birds in the state are found here from November through March.

The festival began as a three-day celebration of birds and was known initially as the Washington Brant Festival. The focus of the festival was the Pacific black brant and its need for specific habitat protection. After two years, the festival committee decided to broaden its view of all the birds that spend the cooler months here; as a result, the festival became known as the Wings Over Water/ Northwest Birding Festival.

Over the years and through fair weather and foul weekends, the committee realized that the show must go on despite the capricious nature of March weather in the Pacific Northwest. While the majority of festival attractions are held indoors, the big stars are the wintering birds of Blaine, Birch Bay, and Semiahmoo. From mid-March through April, large flocks of wintering waterfowl and sea birds put on quite a show in all kinds of weather, and dedicated bird watchers are adept at the art of layering.

Three species of loons are easy to find during the day, along with four species of grebes, all three scoter species, both goldeneyes, and one of the winter favorites, the long-tailed ducks. All of these species are diving birds and are quite enjoyable to watch from numerous vantage points around Drayton Harbor and the Semiahmoo Spit. As thrilling as anything are the massive flocks of dunlin that feed on the tidal flats at Marine Park and take to the air as one when the local peregrine falcons stoop in for a meal.

Along with the excitement generated by the falcons, a good number of bald eagles nest nearby and spend most of the daylight hours hunting in the same area. The large wintering flocks of waterfowl provide excellent opportunities for the eagles. The diving ducks in the area are relatively safe as long as the dabblers are around because these surface feeders are easier prey for the eagles. Northern pintails, American wigeons, and green-winged teal are some of the eagles’ target species.

No matter which species you seek on any given day, it seems that the biggest attraction for the bird watching crowd is always the huge rafts of diving birds that gather on the open water between the tip of the Semiahmoo Spit and White Rock, BC. The most notable rafts are easy to spot since they are made up of the largest birds on the water – the loons. Loons are perennial favorites and as many as 2,000 loons rest and feed in the area for a month or more prior to their departure for their northern and eastern breeding grounds. Pacific loons are the most numerous, followed by common and red-throated loons, and there’s always the possibility of spotting the one bird that is the dream bird of many birdwatchers – the elusive yellow-billed loon.

The Wings Over Water festival serves as a prelude to one of the most exciting times of year – spring migration. Many of the birds that you see in the area encompassed by the festival will be staging for migration and adding to their fat reserves in these bountiful waters. The fact that so many birds winter in this corner of the state is proof positive of the health of this ecosystem. Although the festival is centered in Blaine, there will be birds to see and more activities in and around Birch Bay over the festival weekend.

This year, a variety of events and activities will delight crowds of all ages, increase the appreciation of our magnificent birds, and draw attention to this special part of the state. Speakers will be on hand with a variety of topics ranging from scientific studies and avian research to the beauty of birds. Festival goers can take short cruises on the historic MV Plover foot passenger ferry that travels between the Blaine waterfront and Semiahmoo. Viewing stations, live raptor displays, food vendors, artists’ exhibits, booths from numerous non-profits, and many kids’ activities will provide something for everyone. For more info about this year’s festival, visit www.blainechamber.com/wow.