May 9 - 11, 2003, Leavenworth, WA

Information: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, 509-548-5807

**Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest**

http://www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com

Celebrate spring and International Migratory Bird Day! This event will
feature field trips, a bird-a-thon, workshops and inspiring music.

The Leavenworth area is noted for spectacular habitats, ranging from
snow-capped mountains to sunny Ponderosa pine forests, attracting a wide
variety of birds. You might see Calliope Hummingbirds, White-headed
Woodpeckers, Harlequin Ducks, Osprey and MacGillivray's Warblers.

While birding is the heart of the weekend, activities will also include
geology, wildflowers, river rafting on Icicle Creek and conservation
trips to nearby restoration areas. Professionally guided trips and
activities range from leisurely strolls to active hikes. Fun for
experienced and novice birders of all ages!

An event ought to have a mascot, and the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest
chose the Western Tanager as its "SpokesBird." This yellow, black and
red tanager is a neotropical migratory bird, coming from its wintering
grounds as far south as Mexico and Costa Rica. Here in the breeding
range, they feed on wasps, ants, scale insects, grasshoppers, wild
cherries and elderberries. Their loosely built twig nests (lined with
hair and plant down) are found on the outer ends of conifer and aspen
limbs. An interesting aside, the Western Tanager was first discovered by
the Lewis and Clark 1804-06 expedition, making this bird a wonderful
part of our western heritage.

A fabulous event like this requires lots of partners and we have
excellent ones. North Central Washington Audubon Society, the
Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, U.S. Fish &
Wildlife and the Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth Ranger Districts of the
Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest are working together to create
the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest.

For more about the event visit www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com. For
information on the area, including lodging and other activities, call
the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce at (509) 548-5807.


---------------------------------------------------------
Ellen Blackstone Everything connects...
Seattle Washington absolutely everything.
mailto:ellenb at 123imagine.net --Hazel Wolf, 1898-2000