Coupeville High School Commons —
Whidbey Audubon’s Society’s Bird Festival, Wings over Whidbey begins Thursday afternoon, May 18. At the heart of this two and half day festival is the Bird in the Hand event featuring dozens of exhibits of preserved birds allowing visitors to hold and examine closely all the parts of a particular bird. The society has developed the collection of specimens mostly from birds that have been brought in from community members who find birds in their yards that have met an untimely demise. A team of trained bird preparers, under the watchful eye of Matt Klope, a local taxidermist, prepare the birds as specimens to be used as educational bird ambassadors at many community events held throughout the year by Whidbey Audubon Society. The society has a federal permit to keep and display birds that have met an accidental demise as long as it’s done for educational purposes. The Migratory Bird Act makes it illegal for anyone to possess bird parts, including feathers.
There will also be falconers with their live raptors at this event.
Families are encouraged to bring youngsters to the free Bird in the Hand event on Saturday, and to get up close to the normally elusive winged ones. No preregistration is necessary. Visitors can hold specimens and see the details, such as bird feet and wings. Steve Ellis will be the “Answer Man,” bringing his knowledge from a lifetime of experience observing the natural world. Also at this event is a special Whidbey Island forest birds display.
