On May 16th the Washington State School for the Blind celebrated International Migratory Bird Day by visiting Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Twelve students of Mr. Balwin's science classes hiked the Refuge's Kiwa Trail for their 8th annual field trip to experience the sounds and splendor of the spring migration. The field trip was lead by Eric Anderson, Outdoor Recreation Planner, and focused on the identification of bird songs and calls encountered during the outing. Approximately 20 bird species were audibly detected and identified by the class. Students were encouraged to explore the natural world around them by touching the nesting cavity of a tree swallow and feeling a tree shredded by woodpeckers. The students learned about the life history of wildlife, native and non-native species, and refuge management to support the needs of wildlife and their habitat. This year's field trip is a collaborative project with the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Refuge volunteers, and the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department. Partners to the project coordinated the event and funded a barbeque lunch and transportation for the students.