Enraptured with Raptor Migration



North central Washington is home to some of the most amazing species in the
northwest, but many people don't know it is also a major pit stop for hawks
flying from Alaska to the southwest and Mexico. This September is a great
opportunity to learn about this amazing migration, and get face-to-face with
raptors of all shapes and sizes. Join the Methow Valley Ranger District,
North Central Washington Audubon Society, North Cascades Basecamp, and
HawkWatch International for the second Chelan Ridge Hawk Migration Festival!
This interactive event will take place at Memorial Park in Pateros,
Washington on September 17th, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This family event
combines free activities in Pateros with trips to the Chelan Ridge Raptor
Migration Site to learn about and celebrate raptors as they journey to their
winter territories. The festival will have vendors, raptor exhibits, and
projects for kids. Attendees can also go on birding field trips with experts
along the Columbia River. During the day, shuttles will run from Pateros to
Chelan Ridge where families, bird lovers, and learners of all ages will be
able to see raptors like Sharp-shinned Hawks as they are banded and
released. Chelan Ridge sits 5,675 feet above sea level along the flyway for
migrating raptors like the Broad-winged Hawk. Biologists who live at the
Ridge during the migration season will offer insight on how the birds are
studied and tracked. This is an amazing experience with environmental
education and interpretation conducted by an on-site educator and Forest
Service personnel.

The following morning, North Cascades Basecamp in beautiful Mazama, WA will
host a talk about the Southern Cross Peregrine Project by Bud Anderson,
Director and Founder of the Falcon Research Group. This presentation will
highlight researchers' efforts to track Peregrine Falcons between Chile and
the Arctic; a $10 donation is requested for the presentation and morning
snacks/drinks which start at 9am. After the talk, a guided hike will leave
the Basecamp to the heart of the North Cascades at Harts Pass for raptor
viewing and migration discussion. RSVP is appreciated for the talk and the
free hike is limited registration for up to 30 participants. For Harts Pass
field trip registration, call the North Cascades Basecamp at 509-996-2334 or
email info at NorthCascadesBasecamp.com. For more information, visit
http://www.northcascadesbasecamp.com/programs/?p=805.

This festival coincides with the peak of southbound raptor migration at
Chelan Ridge-the best place in Washington to view this journey. According to
Kent Woodruff, a biologist for the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests,
"The Chelan Ridge project is good news for hawks, which in some cases still
face challenges for survival. It's also great for nature enthusiasts who
like to see animals in the wild doing what comes naturally and see
scientists at work trying to learn more about the raptors as they migrate
south to spend the winter." The 2010 festival drew several hundred people
who were delighted to see hawks up close, build bird houses, and spend a day
leaning all about raptors. Join us for the 2011 festival!

Reservations and information for field trips and the shuttle to Chelan Ridge
can be found on NCW Audubon's website, http://www.ncwaudubon.org/events.htm
or by searching North Central Washington Audubon Society on Facebook.

North Central Washington Audubon Society * P.O. Box 2934 * Wenatchee, WA
98807
www.ncwaudubon.org





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