U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan and Council
Regional Shorebird Conservation Plans
Below is a list of birding festivals held in 2002 that feature shorebirds. For more current information, see the American Birding Association's Birding Festival Directory at: http://www.americanbirding.org/resources/evntfestgen.htm. Festivals are arranged chronologically.
San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival
Mare Island, Vallejo,
California
mid-January
Visit the Wild Side of San Francisco Bay! San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge and California's Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area encompass 30,000 acres on San Francisco Bay's north shore. Over one million shorebirds and hundreds of thousands of waterfowl and large numbers of hawks migrate here each year. The San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival draws thousands of visitors at the peak of bird migration, with outdoor and indoor activities for families and guided birding, nature and wetland walks.
Contact: San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival Committee, P.O. Box 2252, Mare Island, CA 94592; 707/557-9816 (ph)
San Diego Bird Festival
San Diego, California
early February
The San Diego Bird Festival provides educational and recreational activities focusing on birds, wildlife, and their environments. The purpose of the Festival is to introduce local residents, school students, and visitors to the opportunities to restore, conserve, and protect the many natural ecosystems within the region. All races, genders, cultures and ages are invited to taste the range of flavors this festival offers. Besides the adventure birding trips to the Anza-Borrego Desert, and Cuyamaca Mountain jaunts, some might choose to lie low at sea-level while kayaking around San Diego Bay or gravitate toward the outer cliffs of La Jolla for shorebird views. Whatever style of birding you desire, be sure to tantalize all your senses: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.
Contact: San Diego Nature Festivals, PO Box 120426, Chula Vista, CA 91912; 619-516-0139 (ph); info@sandiegonaturefestivals.org (e-mail).
Farewell Feathered Friends
Naples/Marco Island,
Florida
mid-March
The mudflats, tidal pools, and sandy beaches of Big Marco Pass located on the sandbars and shoal systems off Tigertail Beach provide valuable nesting and over-wintering grounds for over 40 species of migratory and resident shorebirds, as well as wading birds. Join us at the Briggs Nature Center to bid a "Farewell to our Feathered Friends" as they head north to their breeding grounds. Events include field trips, educational seminars, and fun activities for kids. Locations for the events will be held at both The Briggs Nature Center and Tigertail Beach.
Contact: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 8535 Northlake Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33412; 561/625-5122 (ph)
Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration
Grand Isle, Louisiana
mid-April
Enjoy spring migration on Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island. See songbirds in oak-hackberry woods; shorebirds and waders on beaches and marshes. Guided tours, speakers, local seafood, displays and crafts. Fun for families, new and experienced birders. Grand Isle is an essential stop for migrants flying over the Gulf of Mexico.
Contact: Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation, P.O. Box 1336, Thibodaux, LA 70302; 877/378-8279 (ph).
Delmarva Birding Weekend
Ocean City, Maryland
late April
Guided and self-guided tours by boat, on foot, or by canoe. View migrating and nesting shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and warblers.
Contact: Worcester County Tourism Department, P.O. Box 208, Snow Hill, MD 21863; 800/852-0335 (ph).
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
Hoquiam, Washington
late April
Each spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed in the Grays Harbor estuary on their orthern migration. Come witness this spectacle and enjoy local field trips, lectures, exhibits, Shorebird Fun Fair, Shorebird Festival Run, and a lot of activities for the whole family.
Contact: Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival, P.O. Box 444, Montesano, WA 98563; 800/303-8498 (ph).
Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival
Cordova, Alaska
early May
Millions of shorebirds return to the spectacular wetlands of the Copper River Delta to rest and refuel on their journey to the breeding grounds in western and northern Alaska.
Contact: Cordova Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 99, Cordova, AK 99574; 907/424-7260 (ph).
Wings 'N Wetlands Weekend
Great Bend, Kansas
early May
With Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge just moments away, this central Kansas town is always a great place for birds, birders, and birding. The community of Great Bend hosts bird enthusiasts from all over the nation for two days of bird watching, tours, presentations, networking and fun. Novice and experienced bird watchers are welcome for the weekend. The festival is an invitation for everyone to discover the great birding and wildlife watching in Great Bend and central Kansas.
Contact: Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 274, Great Bend, KS 67530; 877/427-9299 (ph).
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
Homer, Alaska
early May
Over 200 species of birds, including 25 species of shorebirds, can be seen in early May in the Homer area. The 10th annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival celebrates the return of the shorebirds with four days of fun and education. A large number of birding workshops, field trips, boat tours, art events and kids activities will be offered.
Contact: Homer Chamber of Commerce, Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival P.O. Box 541, Homer, AK 99603; 907/235-7740 (ph).
Squaw Creek NWR International Migratory Bird Day
Mound City, Missouri
mid-May
International Migratory Bird Day programs held at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge will educate visitors in environmental issues regarding migratory bird species. Refuge staff and volunteers will conduct special programs interpreting Refuge management programs for shorebirds, neotropical migrants, wading birds, waterfowl, birds of prey, and other bird species of concern.
Contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge PO Box 158, Mound City, MO 64470; 660/442-3187 (ph).
Prime Hook NWR International Migratory Bird Day
Milton, Delaware
mid-May
Tour by trolleybus
to see Horseshoe Crabs, Shorebirds, and Ospreys. Canoe trips of Prime
Hook Creek (call to register), bird walk, wildgame cooking, games and
activities, horseshoe crab and
reptile/amphibian presentations.
Contact: Prime Hook NWR, 11978 Turkle Pond Road, Milton, DE 19968; 302/684-8419 (ph).
Big Stone NWR Shorebird Workshop
Odessa, Minnesota/Milbank,
South Dakota
early August
The workshop includes classroom instruction on shorebird identification, ecology, and current shorebird research on Big Stone NWR. Field trips are scheduled for Big Stone NWR and other local shorebird hotspots. The event is free, but registration is required.
Contact: Milbank Chamber of Commerce, 401 South Main Street, Milbank, SD 57252; 800/675-6656 (ph).
Florida Birding Festival & Nature Expo
Clearwater, Florida
late September
The fifth annual Florida Birding Festival & Nature Expo will feature the best of Florida birding with nearly 30 field trips, internationally known bird and wildlife experts and an exciting Nature Expo. The Festival offers a leading-edge conservation mission with proceeds going to the management of Shell Key Preserve, one of Florida's most important areas for shorebirds.
Contact: Pinellas County Environmental Foundation, 1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036; 727/827-3326 (ph).
Eastern Shore of Virginia Birding Festival
Kiptopeke, Virginia
early October
Come celebrate fall on Virginia's Eastern Shore, which forms a migration funnel for thousands of southbound migrating birds as they move along the Delmarva Peninsula. View up to 200 species of raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds. Other nearby wildlife areas: Chincoteague and Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuges, Kiptopeke State Park.
Contact: Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 460, Melfa, VA 23410; 757/787-2460 (ph).
2002 Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival
Big Pine Key, Florida
mid-October
The Florida Birding Festival & Nature Expo features the best of Florida birding with 25 field trips, internationally known bird and wildlife experts and an exciting Nature Expo. The Festival offers a leading-edge conservation mission with proceeds going to the management of Shell Key Preserve, one of Florida's most important areas for shorebirds.
Contact: Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival, Inc., P.O. Box 431411, Big Pine Key, FL 33043-1411; 305/743-2437 (ph).
Sandhill Crane Festival
Lodi, California
early November
The Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi, California is held November 8 to 10, 2002. The area west of Lodi is the wintering home of the Greater Sandhill Cranes. The festival sponsored by the Lodi District Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the California Department of Fish & Game offers over 70 docent led trips, workshops, programs, family activities, exhibits, and a fine arts show. City provides transportation for some of the tours. The festival, now in its sixth year, was established to make the public - young and old - more aware of these magnificent birds and the ducks, swans, geese, and shorebirds that winter in the area. Appreciation and conservation in an entertaining environment is our mission. ducks, swans, geese, and shorebirds that winter in the area. Appreciation and conservation in an entertaining environment is our mission.
Contact: Lodi District Chamber of Commerce; 209/366-0117 (ph).