Some years back, I woke up on a spring morning to this crazy, loud banging outside my window, and what I found was a woodpecker hammering away at our neighbors’ chimney flashing. I was just as much intrigued as I was annoyed, since I’d never seen a woodpecker up close outside of a zoo, and I couldn’t understand why in the world the poor bird was drilling its beak on metal. I soon discovered I wasn’t the only one who’s spotted (and heard) woodpeckers on people’s rooftops in the neighborhood, and I also found out that this kind of behavior was some sort of mating call. I wished him well and hope it worked out for him. Soon.
You can learn all kinds of stuff about our woodpecker friends, and other birds of Washington State, if make your way over to the Burke Museum this Sunday, from 10am – 3 pm, for a special event, “Birds at the Burke”. The event is suitable for families, and the event features some hands-on activities for all to explore the displays of bird specimens from the Burke Ornithology collection, and learn about the birds of Washington State.
Here’s a schedule of the day’s events from the Burke’s website:
10 am – 3 pm
Family activities; visit the “Education Nest” section of the exhibit The Owl and the Woodpecker; resource tables with information on birds and birding in Washington, bird banding, and where to see birds; special displays of bird specimens from the Burke ornithology collection highlighting national and international research that uses the Burke as a resource.
10:30 am: Introduction to Birding with Adam Sedgley
What do I need, where do I go and what should I see if I want to go birding? Seattle Audubon Science Manager and Master Birder Adam Sedgley will walk through the basics of birding and highlight some common and interesting birds that can be found in Seattle.
11:30 am: Urban Birds in Urban Habitat with Matthew Mega
What special challenges do birds face in Seattle and how does the urban forest play a crucial role for our feathered friends and our neighborhoods? Matthew Mega, Conservation Director of Seattle Audubon, will tell us about the difficulties and opportunities for urban birds and birders, and will discuss efforts to protect and enhance Seattle’s urban forests.
12:30 pm: Citizen Scientists: Why birding matters in the 21st century with Dan Froehlich
Dan Froehlich, founder of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory, will explore the role of citizen scientists in the 21st century. The internet has changed the scope of birding while the climate (both literal and political) calls for citizen engagement. Gain a better understand of our avian neighbors and find out more about resources for local engagement.
1:30 pm: Birding Trails in Washington with Christi Norman
The Great Washington State Birding Trail program uses nature tourism to promote environmental conservation. Program Director Christi Norman will talk about the numerous opportunities to see birds in Washington State, including where to find birds featured in the exhibit The Owl and the Woodpecker.
This event is included with museum admission. Parking on the UW campus is free on Sundays.
Event page: http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/event/birds/
The Burke Museum is located on the University of Washington campus, at the corner of NE 45th St and 17th Ave NE. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily, and until 8 pm on first Thursdays. Admission: $9.50 general, $7.50 senior, $6 student/ youth. Admission is free to children 4 and under, Burke members, UW students, faculty, and staff. Admission is free to the public on the first Thursday of each month. Prorated parking fees are $15 and partially refundable upon exit if paid in cash. Call 206-543-5590 or visit www.burkemuseum.org. The Burke Museum is an American Association of Museums Accredited Museum.