Want to hear mi-grate idea for a party?

Bohemian Waxwing • Photo by Raymond Ladurantaye

The Lower Nehalem Community Trust is hosting a Migratory Bird Day Celebration at Nehalem’s Alder Creek Farm this Sunday, May 26.

The celebration encourages visitors to rejoice in one of the planet’s most inspiring migration events and this year’s global theme, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds.”

With the exception of shorebirds, 96 percent of North American bird species feed insects to their young and 40 percent of the world’s insect populations are declining. Guests are invited to observe the magic of migration and learn about they how you can support birds, bugs and blooms — both in the garden and beyond.

Alder Creek Farm was once a 54-acre dairy farm. On three and a half of those acres, the trust has developed a community garden, greenhouse and ethnobotanical trail. On the other 50 acres, the group has established a wildlife sanctuary. 

Guests can choose from two guided bird walks, learn about the native plants that support insects and birds on a tour of the Nehalem Teaching Trail, and talk to many of the fantastic local organizations supporting conservation, education and wildlife rehabilitation in the region. A spotting scope offers the opportunity to peer at birds flitting along the riparian areas of Alder Creek or dipping into the seasonal wetland at the “Big Sit” station hosted by Bird Alliance of Oregon, formerly Portland Audubon.

Kids will enjoy the creative art activity hosted by Hoffman Center for the Arts.

Bring a sack lunch to the barn for a Brown Bag workshop with self-proclaimed “Bird Nerd” podcast team, Hannah and Erik, who will demonstrate the use of eBird and iNaturalist apps to learn and contribute to community science

The event runs from 10 am to 2 pm at Alder Creek Farm, located on the north edge of Nehalem Bay, at 35955 Underhill Lane in Nehalem. For more information, go to nehalemtrust.org.