Seabirds of the Salish Sea: How to identify common seabirds in the north Puget Sound Area

North Cascades Audubon Society and the Community Boating Center co-present a class on seabird identification, including the most commonly seen diving birds that use the Salish Sea for wintering, feeding and nesting. Species included in the talk are Loons, Grebes, Cormorants, Scoters, Alcids, some gulls, and others. The course fee will include Sibley’s laminated guide, Seabirds of the Pacific Coast. Instructors will show slides of birds in breeding and non-breeding plumage and discuss feeding, nesting and wintering habits around the Salish Sea. Course content will include discussion of best practices for recreational boaters who may approach birds or habitat, and tips for buying binoculars. At the end of class, students may continue to learn on North Cascade field trips or participate in citizen science seabird counts lead by expert birders. The first open field trip opportunity following class with be at Semiahmoo Spit, Saturday, March 2, meeting at Semiahmoo County Park at 9 AM.