Events

Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival

Join us in celebrating the spring migration of shorebirds in Grays Harbor County. The 12th Annual Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival is scheduled for May 2nd to the 4th, in Hoquiam, Washington. Up to one million shorebirds, coming from as far south as Argentina, concentrate at the muddy tide flats of Grays Harbor each spring. These arctic bound shorebirds are among the world's greatest migrants, many travelling over 15,000 miles round trip. Birders have been visiting Grays Harbor for years from all over the country to witness this spectacular spring migration.

About two dozen species of shorebirds use the rich mudflats of this estuary. The five most abundant species are the western sandpiper, dunlin, short-billed and long-billed dowitchers, and semi-palmated plover; however, western sandpipers compose 85% of the shorebirds present in the spring migration northward.

The Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge provides important shorebird habitat and excellent viewing facilities. In addition to the spring migration in April and May, the shorebirds return to the estuary in lesser concentrations from June through October on their way south during the longer fall migration period. Thousands of shorebirds, primarily dunlin, stay for the winter. For more information, visit the Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival web site or call 1-800-303-8498.

For more information, contact:
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
100 Brown Farm Road
Olympia, WA 98516
Phone: (360) 753-9467
Fax: (360)534-9302