Out and About

By Julie Bailey

The Blaine area is a prime fall birding destination, surrounded by safe havens and feeding grounds for migrating birds. Shorebirds, a baker’s dozen or so, make an appearance on our diverse waterways and estuaries. Showing an ability to adapt, waterfowl can also thrive in human designed environments such as pilings, marinas, and boardwalks.

Join the fall birding fever and plan a family outing complete with picnic, camera, binoculars, a bird watching guide and, just in case, an umbrella.
Enjoyable and educational, a birding outing in Blaine and Birch Bay will showcase the majestic natural beauty of our land and waterscapes and the wonder of marine birds. If time permits do a little pre-trip research at the local library, on the computer, at the art supply or a book store. The Audubon Society produces many beautiful and informative books on the subject. Videos, cassettes, coloring books and art projects could all enhance this family adventure.

Begin your outing at Blaine Marine Park, starting on your right at the mouth of Cain Creek. From the picnic shelters, shorebirds will be seen almost within touch if you plan your trip during the last 2-3 hours of high tide. A juvenile Snowy Egret has been seen at high tides along with plovers and the usual gull population, at the boat launching ramp or from the waterfront along Peace Portal Drive from a number of viewing points. Continue down Marine Drive to the municipal pier and watch the flock of double-crested cormorants or catch a kingfisher on the prowl.

Marine Park and the pier are both excellent places to picnic, and the picnic shelters offer protection from the rain. Should you be ready for a break or hot lunch consider the Harbor Cafe for legendary chowder or fish and chips, or stop at the Blaine Marine Services for an ice cream cone or take along snack.

Continuing the bird search, turn right along Peace Portal Drive stopping in town for overviews of the bay. Turn right at the big Birch Bay sign at Bell Road, continuing to Blaine Road and right at the Exxon station onto Drayton Harbor Road. Along Drayton Harbor many blue heron can often be seen fishing and a local osprey frequently perches in a fir tree on the left side of the road just beyond the stop sign at Shintaffer Road. Proceed to Semiahmoo Spit and the county park where two excellent birding environments exist.

Among feathered visitors to the windy outside rocky beach are the bald eagle and osprey, the rather rare yellow-billed loon and common loon. On the Drayton Harbor side the beach is pebbled, coarsely sanded, and sheltered from the wind. Ducks, gulls and heron can often be spotted here. Snacks and coffee are available at the marina. Packers at Resort Semiahmoo is open seven days a week and would provide a bit of rest and relaxation along with a delicious lunch.

Several picnic tables are available at Semiahmoo County Park, though none are covered, and the view is spectacular. Should you wish to see a large eagle’s nest follow Semiahmoo Drive, it will come into Birch Point Drive and then into Birch Bay Drive. Between Cottonwood and Beach Way drives on the land side is the nest perched high in a tree.

There are several spots at Birch Bay worth exploring especially if you want to sit down and enjoy a little atmosphere with your meal and perhaps the view. If you are heading back into Blaine consider lunch at La Bonne Maison which features soups, salads and sandwiches. If something quick appeals, try Steamers on Bell Road at the unique boat-shaped building.

While supplies last, the Blaine Visitor Information Center has a limited number of copies of Washington Birder that features an article by Blaine resident Jack Kintner, titled, “A Site Guide for Blaine, Washington” which provides greater detail and additional sites.

Instilling a respect for the marine bird life and scenic beauty that surrounds us can only enrich our personal lives and those of future generations for whom creation and nature would impress. Chief Sealth in 1855 eloquently expressed a truth to be meditated.

“If all the beasts were gone
man would die from great loneliness of spirit,
for whatever happens to the beasts
also happens to man.
All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.

Julie Bailey is a Blaine resident and an employee of the Blaine Vsitor Information Center.

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