Bird-lovers flock to Issaquah for Audubon events

Good new for bird-lovers - Eastside Audubon is offering three events in Issaquah in early February.

Good new for bird-lovers – Eastside Audubon is offering three events in Issaquah in early February.

At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Issaquah REI store, Tim McGruder, a long-time member of Eastside Audubon will present a slide show and talk on the Winter Birds of the Cascade Foothills.

McGruder will show photographs of King County birds and discuss the role of conservation efforts to protect habitat for birds in winter. The various habitats also support breeding birds and migratory birds which pass through the area in spring and fall.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, the chapter will offer two events.

From 9-10 a.m., join Eastside Audubon for a family bird walk at Lake Sammamish State Park.

Participants should see wintering ducks such as Bufflehead, Canvasback, and Common Goldeneye, and other specialties such as the Western Grebe, Red-Tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle. Also likely are wintering birds of the brush and woodland habitats such at Bewick’s Wren, Pine Siskin, and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

From 2-3 p.m. children can make a pine cone bird feeder and learn about wintering birds at a special family activity at the Lewis Creek Park.

The presentations are part of outreach efforts by Eastside Audubon to introduce the organization to residents of its expanded service area in the eastern portion of King County.

Eastside Audubon serves the area eastward from Lake Washington to the Cascade ridge and from the Snohomish County line southward to a bit south of I-90.

The Audubon Society strives to conserve and restore the natural ecosystem focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitat for the benefit of humanity and earth’s biological diversity.

The Chapter is also planning future activities in other eastern King County towns.

For more information visit www.eastsideaudubon.org or phone 425-576-8805.