Hello, Tweeterdom,

The Olympic BirdFest is coming up Friday-Sunday, Apr 9-11, this
year. The festival focuses on seeing the best of the birds around
Sequim, Dungeness, and Port Angeles in early spring, always a great
time. There are lots of field trips to some of the best bays and
shorelines on the north Olympic Peninsula, led by eager birders who
know the area and love to share their knowledge.

Besides many field trips, there are several special events and tours:

-Tour of the Elwha River dam removal project, courtesy of Olympic
National Park
-Nature Photography Workshop by Ken and Mary Campbell
-Tour of endangered waterfowl breeding program (see flashy eiders up
close!)
-Live Raptor show, presented by the Northwest Raptor Center
-Salmon banquet at the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe tribal center on
Sat. Apr 10
-Banquet speaker -- Dr. John Marzluff from UW will speak about his
research with crows and ravens
-Protection Island boat trips leaving from Sequim Bay on Sunday, Apr 11

Plus, a three-day, two-night natural history cruise through the San
Juan Islands, on Apr 11-13, leaving from and returning to John Wayne
Marina in Sequim Bay. The cruise focuses on seabirds and marine
mammals, along with geology, botany, and human history. The cruise
stays two nights at Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island, travels
through many of the channels and entrances in the San Juans, visits
Sucia Island State Marine Park, and returns to Sequim via Swinomish
Channel, Deception Pass, and Smith Island.

For information and to register for the Olympic BirdFest, visit the
festival website at www.olympicbirdfest.org. Information about the
San Juan Islands cruise is at www.olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org/
SJC_Announcement.htm. Or call the Dungeness River Audubon Center at
360-681-4076 for more info.

Best thing yet, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, which runs the
festival, has pledged all proceeds from the festival to help support
the Dungeness River Audubon Center (a very worthwhile cause!). Hope
to see you!

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim
bboek at olympus.net