Bird Festival a Spectacular Success

By Sunny Walter

The Eastside Audubon Bird Festival on August 2 celebrated a milestone in our chapter’s biggest ever project, the BirdLoop Nature Trail in Marymoor Park. Close to 200 visitors took part in bird, native plant and dragonfly walks and many more enjoyed the booths, kid’s activities, and music. 

Thirty-three people signed up to find out more about our “Get Outdoors” activities; and 17 joined our chapter. BirdFest marked two years into the $100,000 Community Partnership Grant from King County. It’s been a lot of work, and a party was in order!

It was standing room only for the Opening Ceremonies with Christy Anderson, Eastside Audubon Society President; Jim Rettig, project manager; and Michael Hobbs of Friends of Marymoor speaking before Ron Sims, King County Executive, came to the stage with his inspiring words. The ribbon was cut for the trail by Ron, Christy, and a heap of kids.

Walks began at the meadow kiosk, a recycled bus shelter. It features a trail map, brochures and posters showing the most common birds, wildlife and native plants with images donated by members of the EAS Photography Group.

It was thrilling to see people making the trek through the meadow to the lake platform – either on the guided walks or just exploring on their own. Bird walks were filled to overflowing and more leaders had to be added. Brian Bell, Michael Hobbs, and Hugh Jennings made this a real treat for our visitors. Ella Elman led a walk to see all our new plantings (and the empty spaces where invasive plants have been removed). Larry Engles took a group to the lake platform to see the dragonflies – a newly-discovered feature of our BirdLoop trail. Craig Weaver helped get people organized for the walks.

The EAS Education tent teemed with eager kids (and adults) making bird buttons, having their faces painted, learning about birds, and getting their Passports stamped. Mary Britton-Simmons, Jill Keeney, Margaret Lie, Shirley and Jim Hall, Bev Jennings, Tora Roksvog, Sharon Pagel, and two of our camp scholarship students, Yesain and Dakota, made this a fun and educational experience for the kids.

Eager visitors filled the EAS Chapter tent. Hugh Jennings and Tricia Kishel talked about Field Trips and Nature Walks, Caren Park and Larry Engles promoted Photo Trips. Melinda Bronsdon answered questions about our Native Plant Walks. Finally, Jim and Nancy Roberts, Glenn Eades, Therese Eby, Jerry Rettig, Patricia Clarke, and Andy McCormick were on hand to tell everyone about the Marymoor Work Parties.

Tim McGruder and Jim Rettig recruited several people for chapter conservation projects. Jan McGruder, Eva Weaver, and Helen LaBouy added new members to chapter rolls. Mary Holt, festival chair, and Peter Holt organized the set-up and takedown, aided by many of the above volunteers plus Barbara Dietrich.  Marlene Meyer, Carolyn Kishel, Christy Anderson, Linda Pearson roamed the festival grounds meeting and greeting visitors.  Sunny Walter organized the chapter tent and was our official photographer. 

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, King County Parks, Pilchuck Audubon Society, Washington Native Plant Society, League of Women Voters, Earth Ministry, Cascade Bicycle Club, and Nature Vision welcomed folks to their displays, as did festival sponsors, REI and PCC Natural Markets. Clark, Raymond & Co. was also a sponsor.

Brian Bell, Ollie Oliver, and Hugh Jennings set up scopes on the festival green and introduced newcomers to close up views of birds.  Nearby, people lounged on the grass listening to the music of Tinker’s Dram and eating Grand Opening cake.

Planning was done by our very professional volunteer festival team: Mary Holt (chair), Jill Kenney, Andy McCormack, Margaret Lie, Sunny Walter, Tricia Kishel, Cindy Balbuena, Glenn Eades, Brian Bell, Helen LeBouy, Jan McGruder, Michael Hobbs, and Patrick Kelley, who was instrumental in obtaining effective and widespread publicity.  Big thanks to all the volunteers. You came through with a winner!

September, 2008, Corvid Crier article by Sunny Walter