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Published 04/28/09
Central Oregon Coast Town Takes Flight This Weekend
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| Brian Woodbridge |
(Lincoln City, Oregon) - This weekend,
May 1 through 3, the central Oregon coast town will literally go to the
birds with its first ever Wings and Waves Birding Festival. This collection
of music, art and flying things will host many events for avid birders
and even those who are novices to the world of bird watching.
Events over the course of this three-day festival include $500 Bird Count
Contest, live music from three different bands, an "All Things Birds"
art exhibit, lectures from West Coast bird experts, the start and completion
of the World's Largest Birds Nest, kayaking trips on Siletz Bay (18 and
over please) and much more. Various field trips will take you on foot
or by canoe to interesting locales to catch sight of our fine-feathered
friends.
Talks will be given on such subjects as beaks, bird watching for beginners, local wildlife refuges and the problems of backyard habitats.
As one of the highlighted activities, Eco-artist Karen White will assist participants in creating a large-scale natural sculpture in the style of a large bird’s nest. The nest structure will be built using thousands of fallen branches/twigs from the community and virtually 'weaving' the pieces together (without strings or glue).
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| Just east of Siletz Bay |
White is an avid sculptor, environmental installation artists, photographer and writer who utilizes and emulates nature as the source of her creativity. She incorporates her philosophies of sharing art experiences with the public in her on-site installations such as the Audubon nest that will be built on the Lincoln City Cultural Center lawn.
Casual on-lookers at the weekend event and those who want to get involved can take part in the creation of the work through hands-on interactions.
All ages and abilities are welcome to join in the fun, and making the nest is a way to understand bird habitats and nest structures. Participants will learn how natural materials can be a creative medium and how they provide shelter to several of our feathered friends. By participating in the event activities, it is the goal of the Audubon Society of Lincoln City that people will have a better understanding and appreciation of nature, birds & wildlife and want to get involved in future programs with Audubon and activities in Lincoln City.
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| Lincoln City's pristine beaches |
Once the nest is completed, it will allow viewers to observe their own place within the natural world.
“By dissolving boundaries of the man-made and growing organic artwork in close proximity to artificial structures, the installation becomes a conduit to reconnect humans with the natural world,” said the artist Karen White.
Included
in the festival line up is a presentation on Conservation Monitoring of
Migratory Birds in a Changing World: the Case of the Swainson's Hawk,
by California Wildlife Biologist, Brian Woodbridge.
Woodbridge and his team have been monitoring the population dynamics of Swainson's hawks, for over 25 years. Their research and work in Argentina lead to a successful international campaign to change pesticide use practices in Argentina. In the eight years following this campaign, continued monitoring in Butte Valley, California shows improved survival rates of the migratory hawk and highlights the importance of long-term monitoring in conserving migratory birds.
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| At the mysterious, hidden northern end of Lincoln City. |
Woodbridge’s work has been published in such publications as the NY Times and National Geographic, and has lead to significant political and conservatory change throughout the Americas.
Another event featured during the three-day festival is a presentation by Karen Hoyt of Sky Hunters Environmental Education in Carlton, Oregon. Hoyt and her “entourage” will present “Hunters of the Sky” an introduction to local birds of prey on May 3, 2009 at 11AM. This local non-profit organization was created to teach awareness and respect for wildlife and wild places using four live rescued birds of prey.
Hoyt - founder and director of Sky Hunters, will introduce guests to the different native species with an emphasis on identification and habitat use, and will share many interesting facts about her wild ambassador “friends”. All of the birds in the program are non-releasable due to an injury or disability.
Tickets are $25 per person per day or $30 for a weekend pass. Kids under the age of 16 get into festival free! For tickets or further information contact the Audubon Society of Lincoln City at 541-992-0440 or visit www.lincolncityaudubon.com.
For Lincoln City lodging....
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