'Bird Friendly Community Day' set for Saturday

Goldfinches are among the birds that birdwatchers may find in Moses Lake backyards. Participants will learn about birds and birdwatching at "Bird Friendly Community Day" Saturday.

by CHERYL SCHWEIZER & Herald Staff Writer
Staff Writer | June 18, 2015 6:00 AM

MOSES LAKE - The first "Bird Friendly Community Day" is scheduled for Saturday at the Moses Lake Public Library and the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

The day's activities, all built around birds and appreciation for birds, begin at 11 a.m. with story time at the library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. All activities are from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the museum, the library and Civic Park next to the library.

Kids can make a bird mask at the library and a bird feeder at the museum. "We take our tuna fish can and make a bird feeder," and learn what makes good bird food, said Margaret Schiffner, Audubon Society volunteer. The Audubon Society is a co-sponsor of Bird Friendly Community Day.

A presentation on "life around a sagebrush" is scheduled for museum. A scavenger hunt, where kids will be asked to find pictures of birds, is scheduled for the park. "We'll use real binoculars." Schiffner said. The park also will host a presentation by the Grant County Master Gardeners detailing plants that are friendly to birds. Children will learn how to identify birds found in the central Columbia Basin, she said.

The effect of off-road vehicles on desert wildlife will be the subject of another presentation in the park. The day ends with a "flock walk," scheduled for about 1:30 p.m., of bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts in the park.

The idea, Schiffner said, is to encourage kids and families to get interested in watching birds and other wildlife. "We're trying to stimulate interest in backyard habitat," she said.

Children will learn about bird-friendly plants and how to build a backyard friendly to birds, Schiffner said. They'll learn about bird-friendly plants, birdseed and where to find it.

Schiffner said the Audubon Society chapter wanted to do some community outreach in Moses Lake, to match its efforts in Othello. The club sponsors an information booth at the Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, she said. A day of family events seemed like a good idea, she said.

The idea is to introduce children and families to bird watching and get them interested in wildlife and conservation, she said.