Spring is full of wildlife events

April 19: Wings Over Water, Blaine and Birch Bay.
View thousands of geese, sea ducks, and raptors that crowd the estuarine habitats ranging from the Canadian border at Blaine to the beaches of Birch Bay State Park. Exhibits of wildlife art, carvings, seminars, and field trips. For details http://www.blainechamber.com/wow/

April 19 – 27: National Wildlife Week, National Wildlife Federation.
“Get outside and celebrate” ideas for families at http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlifeweek/

April 22: 38th annual celebration of Earth Day
Events in communities across Washington on and around the date. Most event listing updates can be found at http://www.earthday.org.

April 26: The Procession Of The Species, Olympia.
Artistic and environmental celebration of the natural world using the media of art, music, dance, costumes and floats. Exhibits on “Nurturing Nature in your Neighborhood.” http://www.procession.org

May 2-4: Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival, Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Bowerman Basin near Hoquiam.
Festival events range from shorebird viewing to extended field trips, lectures, food and exhibits. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. For more info, 360-753-9467 or http://www.shorebirdfestival.com/

May 3: Prairie Appreciation Days, Glacial Heritage Preserve, Rochester. Self-guided nature trails through prairie, oak-woodland, and other habitats staffed by experts on butterflies, wildflowers, geology, history and prairie restoration. For more info, 360-458-5450 or http://www.prairieappreciationday.org

May 10: International Migratory Bird Day.
Celebrate the return of millions of migratory birds to their North American breeding grounds. For local events, see http://www.birdday.org.

May 10: Backyard Wildlife Festival, Tukwila (Seattle Metro area).
Learn how to certify your yard as a wildlife habitat sanctuary; workshops on gardening, landscaping for wildlife; tour certified wildlife gardens; learn about sustainable living and community-wide wildlife habitat efforts; kids’ activities; arts and crafts booths. (See story about “Animal Planet” host keynote speaker) For more info, http://www.backyardwildlifefair.org.

May 16-18: Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, Leavenworth.
Birding, geology, wildflowers and conservation. For registration, call the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, 509-548-5807 http://www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com/