Hi Tweeters!
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Enraptured with Raptor Migration
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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!
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This interactive event will take place at Memorial Park in Pateros, Washington on September 17th, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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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.
?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!
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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.
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Contact: Bridget Egan, North Central Washington Audubon Society mtnegan at gmail.com, 509-433-7306 ?