Birding Festivals

Othello Sandhill Crane Festival March. The swans historically favor the Pend Oreille River Valley with a brief stop as they journey to ancestral breeding grounds on the Arctic tundra. A significant number of Sandhill Cranes migrate through the Columbia Basin. This weekend-long festival features presentations and field trips. Othello is south of Moses Lake.

Cusick Tundra Swan Festival March. The event has presentations, workshop, information booths, artisan vendors, bus trip to Calispel Lake for wildlife viewing, and a hot buffet lunch at the Camas Center for Community Wellness.

Blaine - Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival March. Guided tours of marsh & shore bird areas, raptor exhibits, arts & crafts, seminars, and activities for kids.

Olympic Peninsula Birdfest April. Sequim sits between the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This event celebrates the birds of the area with presentations and field trips, including boat trips for sea birds.

Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival April/May. Hundreds of thousands of shorebirds migrate along the coast of Washington each spring. Learn about them during this weekend festival.

Prairie Appreciation Day May. A learning experience for the whole family on the entire prairie ecosystem, from geology to ethnobotany, to the plants and animals. Events next year will include bird walks with information provided on recovery efforts of various species. It is an opportunity to meet with researchers from the University of Washington and Evergreen State College who are discovering fascinating relationships between the plants and animals of the prairies.

Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest Third week of May. This event features many walks and hikes in the east Cascades as well as motorized field trips. Presentations and workshops round out the schedule. Contact: 509-548-0181 ext. 5 or email programs@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org.

Audubon Wenas Campout Memorial Day Weekend. The Audubon community from around the state invites all nature lovers to spend the weekend watching and learning about birds and making friends. Wenas is in the east Cascades, somewhat near Ellensburg.

Puget Sound Birdfest June. Edmonds, WA. Speakers, guided walks and field trips, Puget Sound boat tours, exhibits, and educational activities for children and adults.

Wings Over Willapa September. Long Beach Peninsula, WA. Speakers, workshops and field trips including a pelagic trip from Ilwaco.

Ridgefield BirdFest and Bluegrass October. Near Vancouver, WA. Great birding and great music.