Birders to be the first to return to burned Bateman Island

Birdwatchers will be allowed back on Bateman Island in the Tri-Cities for the first time since a fire burned 70 acres in July.

The general public is still barred from the island, but the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society has received permission to lead a public bird walk on Saturday.

It will be an opportunity to monitor birds and see how the island is recovering.

Before fire burned across the 160-acre natural area, the local Audubon society led a monthly bird walk there.

Participants on Saturday should meet at 8 a.m. at Wye Park above the causeway to the island on Columbia Park Trail in Richland.

This story was originally published October 30, 2017 at 12:01 PM with the headline "Birders to be the first to return to burned Bateman Island."