The Bird Hyde

The bird hyde (blind) is located on Pond IV next to the McNary Educational Center. In 1998, Greg Greger successfully wrote a grant application for $5,000 for the building materials. The blind was designed by one of ARK's volunteers who had birded all over the world and particularly liked the "bird hydes" he had visited in England; and the name stuck. Built by volunteers, it has special windows for photography.

American Avocet and Black-necked Stilts, seen and photographed from the bird hyde. Other birds seen from the hyde include cormorants, geese, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, and several species of duck including Wood Duck.

To encourage waterfowl to stay in the vicinity of the hyde, several rafts were made and anchored along the waters edge. Waterfowl are attracted to the rafts as safe resting and preening sites and can be viewed from the windows and photographic openings of the hyde. From the selection of photos made from the hyde, two will be featured on this page as "wildlife photos of the month". Contact for details Greg Greger at (509) 943-3951.

Male Wood Duck

Pied-billed Grebe