EDMONDS — A free movie on backyard birding, guided beach and park walks, talks on wildlife photography and a segment on birds just for kids are some of the events scheduled for the 11th annual Puget Sound Bird Fest, a three-day event beginning Friday.
The event will kick off Friday evening with keynote speaker John Marzluff, a University of Washington professor of wildlife-habitat relationships perhaps best known for his studies of crows. Marzluff’s talk is “Welcome to Subirdia.” His presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Edmonds Library’s Plaza Room, 650 Main St. His talk will focus on song birds and other types of birds in the urban environment, said Jennifer Leach, environmental education and sustainability coordinator for the city of Edmonds.
“He’s a real celebrity in the bird world,” she said.
A full day of events is scheduled Saturday, including a low-tide beach walk at Bracket’s Landing beginning at 11 a.m., bird viewing at the Edmonds Marsh beginning at 9 a.m., and a free showing of the movie “Birds, Backyard Habitat &Beyond,” at the Edmonds Theater, 415 Main St., beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The movie was produced by Craig and Joy Johnson, of Whidbey Island. One of the movie’s themes is giving people close-up looks at birds that they may have often seen, but don’t know what type of birds they are, Joy Johnson said. The movie includes 65 species of birds.
The couple live in what Craig Johnson described as “a pretty developed neighborhood,” without a large lot. Nevertheless, native underbrush, conifers and several dead snags draw birds to their home.
Craig Johnson said birds have become so accustomed to seeing him that he can approach them closely, even though he doesn’t have expensive photographic equipment. This allows him to document their behaviors, such as birds spreading out their wings on the ground, the way they sun themselves, he said.
Several segments on birding photography are scheduled Saturday afternoon at the Edmonds Library and the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St.
Lorenzo Rohani, a high school freshman and birding photographer, will present “Birding for Kids,” beginning at 3:30 at the Frances Anderson Center. Other children’s activities include beach walks with rangers and a kids’ activity room at the Frances Anderson Center that will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Leach said.
What makes Edmonds such a great venue for the event is that there’s a diversity of habitats — old-growth forest in Yost Park, the marine environment, a tidal marsh, and Scriber Lake, Leach said. During the event, “there’s walks and field trips to all these different places,” she said.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
Bird Fest
The annual Puget Sound Bird Fest, three days of birding-related activities, including talks and beach walks, is scheduled Sept. 11, 12 and 13 in Edmonds. A schedule of events is available at www.pugetsoundbirdfest.com/index.php/schedule-for-event. Most events are free. Volunteers are still needed for the event. Contact Jenn Leach at 425-771-0227 or email Jennifer.leach@edmondswa.gov for information.
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