Spring 2001 Table of Contents

International bird hostel?

You may not think of your yard as an international bird hostel, but it may serve as just that this spring and summer.

Many neotropical migratory birds that winter in tropical countries of Central and South America spend their summers breeding in Washington or further north. These include colorful species not commonly seen like flycatchers, warblers, vireos, and tanagers, but also more “common” species like killdeer, rufous hummingbird, yellow-headed blackbird, burrowing owl, and loggerhead shrike. Some of these international visitors migrate thousands of miles each year. Even if they only stay a day or two, your provisions of water and natural food help them regain strength to continue their journey to nesting habitat. These stopovers are especially productive if your yard includes lots of native plants and flowers with nectar sources for insects, which make up the bulk of these migrants’ high-protein spring and summer diets.

Because these birds depend on habitat in both hemispheres, it’s important to “think globally and act locally.”

That’s what International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), May 12, 2001, is all about - raising awareness every year during the peak of neotropical migrations (second Saturday of May) about the special needs of these species. This annual event was created by “Partners in Flight” a coalition of federal and state agencies, bird clubs, non-governmental organizations, corporations, and individuals whose mission is to conserve migratory birds.

Several events to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day are scheduled across the state on May 12. In Kirkland, an environmental fair focusing on migratory birds, particularly ospreys, will be held at Juanita Bay Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Seattle, bird talks and special activities will be available at the Seattle Aquarium from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In Tukwila, a day-long Backyard Wildlife Fair will showcase the community’s efforts toward certification by the National Wildlife Federation as a Community Wildlife Habitat. In Spokane, WDFW urban wildlife biologist Howard Ferguson is teaming up with a local “bird-friendly” (shade-grown) coffee roaster to lead an 8 a.m. bird-watching, coffee-drinking stroll along the Spokane River. To find IMBD events in your area, visit http://birds.fws.gov/imbd.html.

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