Have a blast with the birds

COEUR d'ALENE - Blackwell Island will go to the birds on Saturday.

The Bureau of Land Management and the Coeur d'Alene Audubon Society will present the free Migratory Bird Day on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at BLM's Blackwell Island boat launch, off U.S. 95 on the south side of Coeur d'Alene.

"It's a way to help kids and their families learn about birds, in a festive atmosphere," said Carrie Hugo, a BLM wildlife biologist.

Activities include guided bird walks, a scavenger hunt, hummingbird feeder project, birdsong disc-jockey station, migration obstacle course, painting and a live bird presentation at 11 a.m.

"It looks like the weather will be good, but even if it's not, we'll still hold events under the covered pavilion," Hugo said. "We intend to hold this every year much like we do with the eagle watch."

Attendees can take home birdhouses that they make. Donations will be accepted to help pay for materials. There will also be giveaways.

A total of 126 people - including 54 kids - attended last year's Migratory Bird Day.

"We're hoping to increase that number this year because a lot of work has gone into putting it together," Hugo said.

For more information, visit cdaaudubon.org or call Hugo at 769-5048.