Program presented by Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue
The Bogachiel Garden Club held its Annual Tea, held on Jan. 25 at the Forks Congregational Church. This year’s event featured a program from the Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue directed by Cynthia Daily, a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator based in Port Townsend.
Club President Janet Hughes highlighted the importance of the event.
“This gives us an opportunity to recruit new members and share with our community what we do,” she said.
The club not only brings gardeners together but also educates the public and promotes community involvement through projects and programs like this one.
The sold-out audience was treated to an up-close look at four raptors: a red-tailed hawk, a great horned owl, a peregrine falcon, and a tiny saw-whet owl. Each bird was carefully introduced by its handler, allowing attendees to observe their unique features while respecting the birds’ safety. No touching was allowed.
Daily shared details about the birds’ feather and bone structures, which differ depending on their needs. For example:
Owls, like Gandalf the great horned owl, have soft feathers that allow them to fly silently and sneak up on prey.
Peregrine falcons, known for reaching speeds of 240 mph in a dive, have stiff feathers and a robust build for strength and speed.
Gandalf stole the show with his striking plumacorns—feathers resembling horns—and his ability to rotate his head up to 270 degrees without moving his body. Attendees marveled at the birds while learning about the rescue’s mission: rehabilitating injured and orphaned wild birds to release them back into their natural habitats and educating the public about wild bird conservation.
The event concluded with door prizes, including handcrafted items from the Olympic Corrections Center and themed gift baskets. Guests stayed to converse, share gardening tips, and discuss the remarkable birds they had just seen.
The Bogachiel Garden Club meets every third Wednesday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at the Community Center/Forks Athletic and Aquatic Center on Maple Avenue. This year, the club will focus on planting to support birds and pollinators.
To learn more or to join the club, call 360-640-1401 or visit the Bogachiel Garden Club Facebook page, where photos from the tea are now posted.
