Puget Sound Bird Fest
Celebrate the 18th annual festival with speakers, field activities, exhibits, and more!
September 10 & 11, 2022
Keynote Presentation:
Washington’s Swans and Snow Geese: Connections to Land Use, Agriculture, and Dairy Farms
Martha Jordan, well-known swan biologist, will present a special program on Washington’s wintering white birds - Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, and Snow Geese. Why do they come to Washington each winter? Their presence is intertwined with land use, agriculture crops, and especially dairy farms. As agricultural practices and land use shifts, big changes are expected for the birds, farmers, and visitors who travel to see them each winter. Martha will discuss how farming affects the distribution and population dynamics of these wintering waterfowl in Washington State and beyond, provide an update on issues regarding lead poisoning and other habitat issues, and share photos that help clarify the challenges of identification of Trumpeter and Tundra swans and Snow Geese. Come learn about these magnificent white birds and what is needed to insure their future.
Martha Jordan is a wildlife biologist. She has a degree in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University. Professionally she has worked both in marine and terrestrial environs throughout Washington and parts of Alaska. In the late 1970s while volunteering to observe Snow Geese and reading their collars in the Skagit Valley, WA, she began to look at the small group of Trumpeter Swans in the same area. By 1984 she had expanded her survey efforts to all of Western Washington and had contributed much information to both state and federal agencies on the status of Trumpeter Swans in Washington State. She wrote the state’s first Trumpeter Swan management plan in 1985. She is still active in both field work, habitat conservation including agricultural land and farms, and education throughout the region. She is currently the Executive Director of Northwest Swan Conservation Association, a regional nonprofit. The focus is on our native swans, Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, and their habitats throughout the region. NWSCA is also active in issues related to lead poisoning in swans and waterfowl. We promote Getting the Lead Out of shooting sports ammunition and fishing sinkers of smaller sizes.
Event Schedule
For more information, please visit www.pugetsoundbirdfest.com
Saturday, September 10
***Registration required
Field Activities
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Join Jack Stephens to bird some short trails at the Willow Creek Fish Hatchery and the Wildlife Habitat & Native Plant Demonstration Garden, and a short walk uphill to a paved path for a good view of the marsh from the south and a couple of ponds. The Edmonds marsh also has level paved walkways and boardwalk. We will drive between the marsh and the hatchery/garden area to avoid walking along highway 104. Less than two miles. Playback might be used sparingly by walk leader. Bring binoculars.
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The urban forest and wetlands of this 22-acre park provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl, wading birds and songbirds. May include excursions to adjacent small parks. Led by Jeff and Eileen Hambleton, this walk will focus on building essential skills for beginners. Bring binoculars if you have them. (We won’t have any loaners available this year). Easy level trails and boardwalk, may cross urban streets with crosswalks to explore two additional parks, less than two miles. No “pishing” or playback of vocalizations will be used to attract birds.
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Join Joe Sweeney for 2-3 leisurely paced miles, including some hills and steps. We will first walk the main paths and steps in this very scenic park. Then, we’ll return to our cars, grab our spotting scopes, and walk the short distance to the beach for some seabird watching overlooking the Puget Sound. The weather is usually cooler on the beach, so wear layers and rain gear, if necessary. Bring binoculars, of Program, and a scope, if you have one. Note: Due to covid, we will not share our scopes with other participants. However, a pair of binoculars is all you need to enjoy the walk. Over by 9:30 a.m. Playback will not be used.
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Join Frank Caruso to explore this former golf Program that has been converted to a passive park near the lake, with ponds and wetlands as well as a creek that is currently in a channel. While there are plans for native plantings and for restoring the stream to meander and paths and boardwalks, currently there are no paths, just mown grass. Even if it hasn’t rained recently, you may want waterproof shoes or boots to walk the park on uneven surfaces without any significant elevation changes. “Pishing” and playback may be used sparingly by the leader. We will probably be no further than 0.5 miles from the parking lot at any time. Total distance likely less than 1.5-2miles.
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This park is an Edmonds gem with nicely varied habitat for birds, particularly those of the forest. We’re likely to encounter many of our resident birds - various woodpeckers, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Brown Creeper, Anna’s Hummingbird – and possibly a few migrants who haven’t left yet. A significant portion of the park lends itself to finding birds only by their sounds because the tree canopy is high. Neither “pishing” nor playing of recordings will be used. The first part of this leisurely walk, led by Elaine Chuang and Peter Gurney, is along a wide paved road. The second part is on narrower hiking trails interspersed with bridges and boardwalks, which can be a bit muddy and slippery if it’s rained recently. The half-mile route descends gradually then has a significant climb (steep) for the last short stretch. Porta-potties are available in the parking lot.
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Join Jon Houghton for this walk in an undeveloped, forested county park located within Edmonds. The trails include a wider, relatively level path and some narrower trails that include some short elevation changes which can be muddy if it has rained. Will include crossing the street that bisects the park. “Pishing” or playback may be used by the walk leader. Total walking likely less than 1.5 miles.
Exhibits & Presentations
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Location: Edmonds Waterfront Center
Birds of Pastures and Fields. This special Family Storytime, presented in concert with Edmonds Bird Fest 2022, will celebrate birds of pasture and field, those species that help our farmers grow our food! We'll share stories and songs and movement as we honor and learn about these beautiful and important creatures!
After storytime, a bird-themed craft will be offered.
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Location: Frances Anderson Center gymnasium
Browse the informational booths, kid’s activities, and local artists and merchants!
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Location: Edmonds Plaza Room
Join us for a special program by well-known swan biologist Martha Jordan on Washington’s wintering white birds - Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, and Snow Geese. Why do they come to Washington each winter? Their presence is intertwined with land use, agriculture crops, and especially dairy farms. As agricultural practices and land use shifts, big changes are expected for the birds, farmers, and visitors who travel to see them each winter. Martha will discuss how farming affects the distribution and population dynamics of these wintering waterfowl in Washington State and beyond, provide an update on issues regarding lead poisoning and other habitat issues, and share photos that help clarify the challenges of identification of Trumpeter and Tundra swans and Snow Geese. Come learn about these magnificent white birds and what is needed to insure their future.
Registration is not required, but space is limited so please arrive early to get a seat. Doors open at 10 am.
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Location: Edmonds Plaza Room
New to birding? Looking for a richer more health centered birding experience? Mindful Birding highlights the overall health benefits of connecting to birds and nature. Awareness of bird habitat, song and behavior are highlighted. Bird novices to bird nerds will benefit from learning practices for a mindful, bird friendly life.
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Location: Edmonds Plaza Room
Come learn all about backyard bird feeding in this talk tailored for beginners. Daphne will cover what a new birder needs, the basic feeding station, available water, and how to create a good habitat in your backyard. Daphne also will discuss the most common backyard birds in Puget Sound region and include some photos to help you identify them.
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Location: Frances Anderson Center Room 206
Community members and volunteers provide a wealth of data on the diversity and abundances of birds in Edmonds, Washington. This Community Science in Edmonds Session features two speakers presenting new information on birds in two different Edmonds habitats: the Edmonds Marsh Estuary and the Maplewood Neighborhood residential area.
Avian Habitat Use in Edmonds Marsh: Longterm Citizen Monitoring Continues!
Presented by Scott Markowitz, Pilchuck Audubon Society and Puget Sound Bird Observatory.
Volunteers, led by biologist Scott Markowitz, are closing in on the 5th year of a year-round, ten-year long-term monitoring program documenting the diversity and lives of birds in the Edmonds Marsh Estuary. This unique project is revealing how important the Edmonds Marsh Estuary is to maintaining habitat and resources for both resident and migratory birds, and underscores the great value and contributions of volunteers.
Neighborhood Backyard Bird Watch Surprises
Presented by Alan Mearns, Edmonds Ecologist
Edmonds Maplewood-area neighbors have been sharing bird and wildlife observations for three years, with focus on unusual occurrences, and also conducted nearly simultaneous backyard bird counts during the 2021 Great Backyard Bird Count. Surprises included the appearance and reproduction of a wandering covey of California Quail, a rare neighborhood winter invasion of Cedar Waxwings, continued annual fledging of Pileated Woodpeckers in a community park, repeated occurrences of white (leucistic or albino) songbirds! In addition, over two decades of near-daily monitoring at the author’s Edmonds residence indicates that diversity and abundance has increased after a substantial decline during the mid-2000s.
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Location: Edmonds Plaza Room
For more than 50 years, Montlake Fill has been an island of wildlife habitat in north Seattle on the University of Washington campus. It became so after serving as the city dump for the previous 50 years. The story of its transformation - and the choices we humans must make to sustain and manage nature - is a tale of wisdom as well as folly, heartbreak and hope. Master birder Constance Sidles has been monitoring the birds of Montlake Fill since the 1980s, but bird records for this site go all the way back to 1898, when most of the landfill was still underwater. It is the oldest continuously birded site in the state, and it has many lessons to teach us.
Sunday, September 11
***Registration required
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Join Ann Kramer (www.annkramer.smugmug.com), award-winning local wildlife photographer, for a fullday workshop. Tips will include how to obtain pleasing photographs of creatures that don't sit still, are not at your eye level, know you're there, and are naturally wary of you. Ethical bird photography tips will also be covered. Bring your lunch and water.
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Join Jack Stephens to explore the Edmonds waterfront. While we won’t have the seabird diversity of the winter months, the Edmonds waterfront can sometimes offer close views of some birds such as Marbled Murrelet or Rhinoceros Auklet. In addition, Edmonds can have hundreds of Heerman’s gulls around the breakwater who arrive after breeding season before they depart for their wintering grounds. Most of the walk will be on paved paths or a fishing pier, there may also be minimal walking on sand.
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Join Jeff and Eileen Hambleton for an introduction to birdwatching. We will walk west then north on a paved trail between the lakefront and adjacent farm fields. Plan on about 2 hours for a leisurely 1.5 mile walk. Birding will be slow paced leaving time for birding and learning about binocular basics, choice of field guides, and birding apps. No “pishing” or playback of bird vocalizations will be used to attract birds. The trail and restrooms are accessible.
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Join Bev Bowe for a guided birding walk along the service road and paved path of Yost Park. Much of the service road is paved, and the remainder is usually hard packed. While not entirely level, the slope is short from the parking lot to the main portion of the service road. Birding from the service road allows some viewing into the mid canopy and even the top of some trees of the ravine. Yost Park provides habitat for numerous species of resident and migratory birds including Cooper’s Hawks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Pacific Wrens, and a variety of other forest birds. While there are no benches, we plan to be no further than 0.25 miles from the cars. Option to bird a little farther on a gently sloping dirt trail near the end of the service road.
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Join Roniq Bartanen to explore the Union Bay Natural Area, nicknamed "The Fill" - Seattle's former garbage dump. 262 bird species have been reported at this urban birding hot spot. We’ll spend time exploring this unique area rich in bird and wildlife. Tips for identifying birds will be included but our main focus will be on a more mindful birding practice which includes observing native habitat, bird song and behavior. Any age and level of birding experience welcome! Dress for weather and wear appropriate shoes. Trails are mostly flat, packed dirt and gravel and can be seasonally muddy and wet. Please leave dogs at home as they may scare off our feathered friends. Porta Potty restrooms onsite only.
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Location: 95 Pine St in Edmonds
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Location: 95 Pine St at the Willow Creek Hatchery
Don Norman, owner of Go Natives Nursery and founding member of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory, will talk about birds and native plants.
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The Puget Sound Bird Fest – in collaboration with Puget Sound Express – hosts a special expedition to Protection Island. This year’s cruise is scheduled on Sunday, September 11th from 3:30pm-6:30pm to get the optimal viewing of sea birds returning to their nests.
The three-hour cruise departs from the Edmonds Marina. Volunteer Bird Guides from the Puget Sound Bird Fest will be on board to share their knowledge about the birds and nature of Puget Sound. We will be using our newest high speed vessel Swiftsure to get to protection island, circumnavigate the island slowly, before returning to Edmonds. On-board we have inside seating, a snack bar and 3 restrooms available.
Note: Any change in the itinerary for weather is at the Captain’s discretion.
Congratulations 2022 Poster Art Contest Winner
Janis Howes
Trumpeter Swans of Skagit Valley Farmlands
My visits to the Skagit Valley over the past several years inspired me to create a painting of the birds I have observed there and the beautiful surrounding farmland area where so many bird species can be found. In particular, the Trumpeter Swans really captured my curiosity. The way they run along the surface of a pond, honking as they take flight, looking so graceful and serene flying above the farmlands. While other Swans looked rather quirky and comical as they splayed their feet coming in for a landing or foraged in the mud with their beaks searching for food. Each year I look forward to visiting the Skagit Valley and I am always pleasantly surprised to see so many different birds in abundance each time I visit. I am thrilled to have my painting, Trumpeter Swans of Skagit Valley Farmlands, chosen for the Puget Sound Bird Fest poster this year!
Janis Howes (janishowesillustration.com) has worked in the graphic arts for the past 30 years as a graphic designer and illustrator. In 2016 she earned a certificate in Natural Science Illustration from the University of Washington. Some of the places she has shown her work around the Pacific Northwest are Schack Art Center, Everett; Gallery North, Edmonds; Shoreline Arts Festival; Edmonds Arts Festival, the Burke Museum, University of Washington; Phyllis Lamphere Gallery at the Washington State Convention Center. Lately, Janis has been focusing on birds, botanical subjects and other wildlife using colored pencil, graphite, watercolor, gauche and pen and ink. She has a detailed and realistic style that captures the light, colors and natural symmetry of her subjects. Janis is continually inspired by the beauty she finds in the natural world and intrigued by the science behind every subject she illustrates. Janis is a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Northwest (GNSINW).