FESTIVAL OVERVIEW 2009

FRIDAY, April 3, 2009
9 am - 7 pm ~ Registration: pick up registration materials at the Dungeness River Audubon Center (2151 Hendrickson Rd., Sequim, WA)
1 pm - 4 pm ~ Afternoon field trips
5 pm - 8 pm ~ First Friday Art Walk, downtown Sequim
7 pm - 8:30 pm ~ "Live Raptors!" Evening presentation by the NW Raptor Center at the Sequim High School Cafeteria (601 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA)

SATURDAY, April 4, 2009
6:30 am - 8 am ~ Dawn chorus on the Dungeness River
7 am - 8:30 am ~ Registration: pick up registration materials at the Dungeness River Audubon Center
8:30 am - 11:30 am ~ Morning field trips (meeting locations and maps will be given to participants with registration)
8:30 am - 3:30 pm ~ All-day field trips
All Morning ~ Displays at the Dungeness River Audubon Center
11:30 am - 1 pm ~ Lunch break (on your own)
1 pm - 4 pm ~ Afternoon field trips
All Afternoon ~ Displays at the Dungeness River Audubon Center
5 pm - 6:30 pm ~ Visit gift shop, carving shed, and Silent Auction at Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal facilities before banquet
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ~ Silent Auction and Banquet at the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Center. 9 pm – 12:30 am ~ Owl Prowl

SUNDAY, April 5, 2009
9:30 am - 12:30 pm ~ Protection Island boat trip from John Wayne Marina

9:00 am ~ Departure from John Wayne Marina for San Juan Islands cruise (optional: register separately at www.olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org)

SPECIAL EVENTS

First Friday Art Walk - Sequim
On Friday, April 3, 2008, join us for a fun and free self-guided tour of local art galleries, artists’ studios, the Museum and Arts Center, and alternative art venues in downtown Sequim, WA. Known as First Friday Art Walk, this is your opportunity to explore and enjoy the charm of downtown Sequim from 5 – 8 p.m. Visit the www.sequimartwalk.com website to learn more about the art walk and its special theme for the month of April, 2008. The Map for the self-guided tour is available at participating arts venues, or download your own map from the website.

Live Raptor Presentation
The Northwest Raptor Center rehabilitates injured birds and mammals, particularly eagles, hawks, and owls. Come see some of these birds of prey and hear about the ingenious methods used by the Raptor Center to bring these majestic animals back to health. Jaye Moore, Director of the Center, will give this free presentation at the Sequim High School Cafeteria (601 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA).

Silent Auction
Wonderful, nature-related items ... items for birders, award-winning bird portraits, private guided trips, bird-related arts and crafts, gift baskets, and items from our Dungeness River Audubon Center gift shop will be offered in a silent auction. Items will be on display first at the Dungeness River Audubon Center starting March 31. Final bidding will occur at the Salmon Banquet Saturday night, April 4, at the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Center. Winning bidders who do not attend the banquet will be contacted.

Saturday Night Salmon Banquet
You’ll watch your salmon being baked in the tradition of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe with the beauty of a Sequim Bay sunset on the horizon. Locally grown, organic foods from the Sequim - Dungeness Valley complement the salmon. Before the banquet, enjoy the native art gallery, carving shed, and make your bids for the treasures of the silent auction.

Protection Island Boat Trip
This 3-hour boat trip aboard the MV Olympas will cruise out of the John Wayne Marina in Sequim and around Protection Island, which is a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge. Marine birds and mammals will be the targets of this trip, and we should see Rhinoceros Auklet, Long-tailed Duck, Loon, Cormorant, Gulls, Common Murre, Harbor Seal, and possibly an Elephant Seal or Sea Lion. The Olympas is an enclosed, comfortable boat (although the best wildlife viewing is done out in the weather), and snacks and beverages are available for a small price. This trip is limited to 50 persons and will probably sell out rapidly, so get your reservations early.

San Juan Islands Cruise
Join us for a three-day, two-night birding cruise of the spectacular San Juan Archipelago. We will depart from John Wayne Marina in Sequim, WA, at 9 AM on Sunday morning, April 5. Whale watching, porpoises, seals, and a myriad of sea birds await us. We will rest overnight at historic Roche Harbor Resort, visit such ports of call as Sucia Island (a state wildlife preserve), and cruise through Deception Pass on our way home. Don’t miss it! Details may be found at the OPAS website, www.olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org.

Elwha Dams Removal Project
One of the most ambitious in the United Sates, the Elwha Dams removal project will restore nearly 80 miles of pristine salmon spawning habitat. Join us on Saturday, April 4, for a tour of these fascinating sites and hear from an expert how this feat of engineering will be accomplished.

Descriptions and prices of ALL the field trips and events are listed in the Schedule of Events Booklet. Expect sunny weather, but be prepared for wind or spring showers. Wear good footwear, layered clothing, and bring a hat, rain jacket, gloves, water and snacks for all the walks. Binoculars and a camera always make the trips more enjoyable. No pets please.



The Olympic BirdFest is a partnership of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, Dungeness River Audubon Center and Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe.

For more information, call 360-681-4076, or email: info@olympicbirdfest.org