10 ways to enjoy Tri-Cities outdoors in March. Learn about bats, owls and wild flowers
Whether you want to learn more about burrowing owls, sandhill cranes or trails on Badger Mountain, here are 10 events in March around the Tri-Cities.
Bats around Tri-Cities
March 4, 7 p.m., Columbia Basin College Room T238, Free
Ken Gano, a retired environmental specialist with years of experience studying and working on restoring natural resources on the Hanford site, will give a special talk about the bats in and around the Tri-Cities.
“I find bats interesting because of their many specialized adaptations and how they have been able to thrive on every continent except Antarctica,” Gano said. “They are also difficult to study so there’s still a lot we don’t know about them.”
Bats are beneficial to humans and play and important role in the environment because they eat lots of destructive insects.
In warmer climates, nectar-feeding bats help pollinate native plants, and fruit-eating bats in the tropics distribute seeds over forests that help maintain a healthy plant diversity.
“We have five species that are fairly common in our area,” Gano said.
And two former non-contaminated water treatment plant facilities in the 100 Area on the Hanford site are now home to thousands of them.
“They are being preserved to retain one of the largest known bat maternity roosts in the state of Washington. Somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 bats roost in each during the spring and summer.”
Gano points out that there is little to no risk from bats in our area.
“However, because of the rare occurrence of rabies in bats, people who have not been vaccinated should never attempt to handle a live bat,” he said.
“Bats are most often seen near water just as it is getting dark. That’s because they need to get a drink after waking up, and that’s where their food is.”
“Most people just assume those small flying creatures in the air at dusk are birds. But most birds will stop flying as it gets dark,” Gano said.
Gano’s talk is at the monthly meeting for the Columbia Basin Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society on Wednesday, March 4, at 7 p.m., in Room T238 in the T Building at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. It’s free and open to the public.
For more information www.cbwnps.org/calendar.
Bateman Island bird walk
March 7, 8 a.m., Bateman Island, Free
The Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society Chapter is having a bird walk on Bateman Island at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 7.
This walk happens on the first Saturday of every month. It’s a great opportunity for families with children, and for birders or all ages.
Binoculars will be available to borrow. Bird lists also will be provided. Bring sturdy shoes, water, snacks, and dress for the weather.
Meet at 7:45 a.m. at the Bateman Island Sign at Wye Park, 1600 Columbia Park Trail. The walk takes two to three hours.
For more information www.lowercolumbiabasinaudubon.org.
Barker Ranch birdwatching tour
March 14, 8 a.m., Applebee’s in Pasco
A special Audubon Society tour will be conducted on Saturday, March 14, and includes access to the private ranch wetlands for ducks, cranes and land birds.
This four- to five-hour trip leaves from Applebee’s, 5305 Road 68 in Pasco, right after the Flapjack Breakfast Fundraiser from 8 to 10 a.m.
To get information and participate, send an email to fieldtrips@lcbas.org. For more information www.lowercolumbiabasinaudubon.org.
Family fun workshop on agriculture
March 14, noon, Reach Museum in Richland, $2-$10
The Reach Museum is holding special science family education event on Saturday, March 14, from noon to 2 p.m.
Explore experiments, hands-on activities and games related to local agriculture.
Admission for adults is $10; students/seniors/military is $6; children under age 5 $2; Reach members: Free.
The Reach Museum is at 1943 Columbia Park Trail in Richland. For information www.visitthereach.org.
Native plants 1st flower walk
March 21, 10 a.m., meet at Yoke’s in Pasco
The Columbia Basin Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society plans the first flower walk of the season to Twin Sisters and Wallula Gap.
The event is Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Yoke’s parking lot by Little Caesar’s Pizza on Road 68 in Pasco.
Dress appropriately for the weather and don’t forget your camera for this early season surprise and stunning views of the Columbia River.
Please contact trip leader at stevenlink@me.com if you are interested. For more information go to www.cbwnps.org/calendar.
Trail work season
Trail work on Badger and Candy mountains started in February and continues through the spring and summer.
Volunteers are needed to help with the usual annual trail maintenance tasks and new routes up Little Badger.
To volunteer and get on the trail work email list, send email to Jim Langdon trailmaster@friendsofbadger.org. and check the website calendar for details www.friendsofbadger.org.
Sandhill Crane Festival
March 20-22, Othello
The 23rd annual festival to celebrate the spring migration of the sandhill cranes is March 20, 21, and 22, in Othello.
The festival offers a variety of events including speakers and field tours led by birding experts.
For information about specific events and times and for online registration visit www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org.
Scooteney Reservoir evening tour
March 25, 5:30 p.m., meet at CBC parking lot
The Audubon Society is offering an evening tour and walk on March 25 at Scooteney reservoir to search for short-eared owls and a variety of other waterfowl and Sandhill cranes.
Meet at the CBC parking lot on Argent Road in Pasco at 5:30 p.m.
To get information and participate, send an email to fieldtrips@lcbas.org. For more information www.lowercolumbiabasinaudubon.org
Burrowing owl habitat enhancement
The Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society is partnering with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to improve burrowing owl habitats around the Tri-Cities.
Volunteers are need for weeding and burrow repair.
In the late spring, there will also be opportunities to help with owl trapping and banding at occupied sites.
To sign up, send an email to fieldtrips@lcbas.org. For more information www.lowercolumbiabasinaudubon.org.
Badger Mountain Challenge
March 27-28, Badger Mountain
The 10th Annual Badger Mountain Challenge is March 27-28.
The events this year include four distances; 15k, 55k, 50 miles and 100 miles. The 100- and 50-mile races start on March 27 and the 55k and 15k start the next day.
If you are interested in running or have an interest in volunteering to help with the event visit www.badgermountainchallenge.com.