Backyard Birding examines gulls, shorebirds

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Bob Boekelheide, former Dungeness River Audubon Center director, will discuss “Gulls and Shorebirds” at the next Backyard Birding event set for Saturday, July 7.

The session meets from 10 a.m.-noon at the river center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road, Sequim, then sees attendees travel to Dungeness Bay to witness gulls and shorebirds in action.

Of the 19 species of gulls and 47 species of shorebirds that have been recorded in Clallam County, nearly all are migrants, nesting either in the Arctic or in the interior of North America. Following nesting, they flock to the Salish Sea, where they fuel up in preparation for further flights to winter habitats. Boekelheide will discuss the species that occur here, how they use local bays and shores and a few tidbits from their life stories.

The series of classes, hosted by members of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, is intended for residents of this area who are interested in knowing more about birds seen locally each season of the year.

Backyard Birding can be taken either as individual classes or in a series. Cost of each session is $5 and is free for anyone younger than 18.

After the completion of five sessions, participants are offered a free, one-year Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society membership.