Free educational series: "Marine Birds of the Salish Sea"

Marine bird experts will host a free educational series “Marine Birds of the Salish Sea” from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, February 22-23, at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, 2309 Meridian St., Bellingham. The event is sponsored by North Cascades Audubon Society in collaboration with RE Sources for Sustainable Communities and the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee.

The two-part series — taught by Caanan Cowles, a biologist with more than a decace of experience researching seabirds in the Salish Sea, and Pam Borso, president of North Cascades Audubon Society — will teach participants about physical characteristics of more than 30 species, their behavior, and interesting facts about their histories. Participants are encouraged to attend both classes. Previous class participants are welcome to attend.

After the classes, participants will have the opportunity to go on a birding tour led by North Cascades Audubon Society. The field trip time and date will be decided during the class.

North Cascades Audubon Society has been conducting surveys of marine birds for several years at Cherry Point. The series is intended to increase awareness of marine birds and the reasons the North Cascades Audubon Society monitors them.

North Cascades Audubon Society also hosts monthly guided birding tours from 9 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of the month at Semiahmoo Park, 9261 Semiahmoo Pkwy, Blaine.

To register for the event, email Lyle Anderson at lyleand2@comcast.net or call 360-739-9249. For more information, visit northcascadesaudubon.org/calendar/.