NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, April 15.
SEQUIM — Birds of a feather will flock together this weekend across the North Olympic Peninsula, and there are plenty of ways to see them in action as part of the 13th annual Olympic Peninsula BirdFest, taking place today, Saturday and Sunday.
Olympic BirdFest is produced through a partnership of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, Dungeness River Audubon Center and Jamestown S’Klallam tribe.
Proceeds support the educational programs of the Dungeness River Audubon Center at 2151 W. Hendrickson Road in Sequim.
BirdFest is timed to overlap wintering birds and the beginning of spring migration, organizers say.
One event is free. A live raptor presentation will be at 7 tonight in the Sequim Middle School cafeteria, 301 W. Hendrickson Road.
The Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center, a federally and state-licensed rehabilitation Center, will exhibit live eagles, hawks and owls.
Wide-ranging field trips
Field trips are planned for Sequim Bay, Port Angeles Harbor, Ediz Hook, Dungeness Spit, the Elwha River, Salt Creek and Neah Bay.
Additional trips are planned through wooded areas to view songbirds and locate owls in the evening.
However, some of the events already are full, so organizers encourage those who have not yet signed up for remaining events to do so as soon as possible.
“Although there are some events full, we do have lots of room, whether you are interested in all-day trips or just some of our half-day trips,” said Vanessa Fuller, Dungeness River Audubon Center administrative services and development manager.
Photo, art classes
“We also still have room in our Sunday nature photography workshop with John Greengo and in our bird drawing class with Robert Amaral on Saturday,” Fuller said.
At least three more people are needed to ensure that Greengo’s class commences, said Sue Chickman, Audubon center board member.
“If we don’t get the minimum number of registrations needed, we’re going to have to cancel the class and send refunds to the five who have already registered,” Chickman said.
“For serious nature photographers, this class and professional instructor [are] not to be missed.”
Events still available:
■ Birding from the Elwha to Dungeness Rivers — 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today beginning at Place Road on the Elwha River. The price is $80.
■ Birding at Sequim Bay and John Wayne Marina — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today and 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, launching from John Wayne Marina. Tickets are $25 each.
Sequim Bay attracts a variety of shorebirds, alcids, gulls and waterfowl, organizers say.
■ Birding Dungeness Bay and Three Crabs — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today and 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Dungeness Landing County Park, 298 Oyster House Road. Tickets are $25 each.
■ Birding Dungeness Spit — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. Tickets are $25 each.
■ Dawn Chorus at Railroad Bridge Park — 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Dungeness River Audubon Center. The price is $15.
■ Bays and Coasts of the Olympic Peninsula tour — 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday beginning at the Audubon center. Tickets are $80.
■ Dry Creek Waterfowl Breeding Sanctuary — 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Port Angeles, with directions available during registration. The price is $30.
■ Bird Drawing Class with Robert Amaral — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Audubon center. The price is $30.
■ Nature & Landscape Photography with John Greengo — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Audubon center.
Based in Seattle, Greengo leads international photography tours and offers classes throughout the year to a worldwide audience.
Additionally, he has assisted with photographer Art Wolfe’s television show “Travels to the Edge.”
This course, limited to 24 participants, is aimed at intermediate to advanced photographers.
The price is $160.
■ Protection Island Cruise — 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. This three-hour boat trip aboard the MV Red Head launches from the north boat ramp at John Wayne Marina. The price is $60.
■ Birding by land, sea — Two-day tour leaving at 7 a.m. Monday in Neah Bay and led by Bob Boekelheide and Denny Van Horn.
Participants will see birding hot spots on Makah lands and take a six-hour boat trip to view pelagic seabirds and marine mammals.
The limit for the trip is 22 people. The price is $525 per person for both days.
For more information about BirdFest activities and to register, visit www.olympicbirdfest.org.
________
Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
