Birds of a feather

COEUR d'ALENE - Kris and Edward Buchler, longtime members of the Coeur d'Alene Audubon Society, live in the Sky Harbor neighborhood on the bluffs above Fernan Lake.

Every so often, Kris, an avid bird-watcher, puts together a "yard list." She listens for loons, spies on swans, peers at woodpeckers and glasses for great blue herons. Every peep, warble and squawk, she records.

Once, Kris counted 79 different species in her neck of the woods. Many of those critters she couldn't see - they were obscured by the forest, or hiding in a hard-to-find place. But Kris is so experienced, her ears so trained, she could identify the birds by sound alone.

"You never know (what you'll find)... we have bald eagles that are establishing a territory," Kris said. "(Bird-watching) is a big growing sport nationwide. It's booming. Optics and things have changed over the years. They've far improved - which has really improved the satisfaction for people, I think."

The Coeur d'Alene Audubon Society has been watching, counting and studying birds for more than 20 years. Around 60 members participate in wildlife-related activities and programs, according to Carrie Hugo, a Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist and president of Coeur d'Alene Audubon.

"We're having some neat speakers, and our attendance is up," Hugo said. "We have a lot of field trips. A really active field trip group."

Members embark on bird-watching expeditions throughout the Northwest. Driving on scenic highways and back roads, they travel to Montana, Oregon and Washington, exploring diverse ecosystems and tracking down unique birds. Destinations include the Hoodoo Valley, Ninepipes and Lee Metcalf national wildlife refuges (both in Montana), and the Sandhill Crane Festival in Othello, Wash.

The habitats vary on Audubon field trips. One day, the group might wander through a marshy lowland. The next, they'll tramp to an old burn area out in the forest.

"What I like about (the club) is it helps me become familiar with the natural areas out here," said Kris, a biologist by trade. "By joining Audubon, I really increased a lot of interests and natural skills that I didn't have. And it's a nice group of people."

In addition to the longer trips, Audubon members often visit places closer to home, such as Wolf Lodge or Micah Bay. Sometimes the bird-watchers will look for a rare species, or one that's particularly beautiful - the Clark's nutcracker, for example, or the sweet-voiced Swainson's thrush.

"It's kind of a mix, it's a wide variety," Hugo said of the field trips. "It's pretty diverse."

Audubon trips occur every month, Hugo said, ranging from short outings to multi-day treks. Anyone can join Coeur d'Alene Audubon and participate; it's not just for experienced birders.

"We're getting more and more new members, who are just beginning," Hugo said. "I think the best way to learn about things is to go out with people who know. I think it's a lot easier than pulling out a field guide."

Other club activities are more scientific in nature. Some members participate in wildlife surveys, recording the number of birds in a given area. There's also a few habitat restoration programs in the works, Hugo said.

Through the Audubon Adventures program, the club reaches out to local students. Teachers are given a learning kit they can use in the classroom.

"(The kits) include hand-outs for the kids, and basically a curriculum - visual aids, and that kind of stuff," Hugo said.

Audubon representatives give presentations at local schools as well.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Coeur d'Alene Audubon will host a midwinter banquet on Monday, Feb. 14, at the Greenbriar Inn in Coeur d'Alene (315 Wallace). Social hour starts at 6 p.m., with dinner to follow at 7.

"Part of the (event) is just to get together and enjoy each other's company," Hugo said. "The smaller part of it is the fundraiser."

The banquet will feature a buffet dinner, raffle items, entertainment and a silent auction. The cost is $35 per person.

On account of their generous contributions to Coeur d'Alene Audubon, Scott and Mary Lou Reed will be honored at the banquet.

"I sat on the national board of the Audubon Society for 18 years," Scott Reed said.

He and his wife are strong supporters of the local chapter.

"They're avid (birders), and they're a very good group, and we think very highly of them," Reed said.

For questions about the midwinter banquet, call Ronn Rich at 664-3139.

The Coeur d'Alene Audubon meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Lutheran Church of the Master, on the corner of Kathleen and Ramsey in Coeur d'Alene.