Celebrating the natural world and the spring shorebird migration!

Each spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed along the Washington Coast and in the Grays Harbor estuary during their migration northward. Coming from as far south as Argentina, these Arctic-bound shorebirds are among the world's greatest migrants. Some birds travel over 15,000 miles round trip! The concentration of birds during spring migration offers people a great chance to view a number of shorebird species. With luck you will also see the birds fly together in beautiful formation "murmurations" while trying to escape a Peregrine Falcon.

Shorebird is the name given to the group of birds that are usually found along the shoreline. They include plovers, turnstones, sandpipers, dowitchers, and others. Some shorebirds can be found in Grays Harbor County all year; others only during their migration.

The shorebird spectacle happens every year at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and in other parts of the County. People from around the world come to view this event of hemispheric importance. The Festival works to bring people together for this incredible natural phenomenon.

Schedule of Events

May 5, 2023

11:21 am-5:21 pm: Best Shorebird Viewing at Grays Harbor NWR (high tide at 2:21pm)

7:00am-3:00pm: Festival Information, Nature Shop, and Registration at Grays Harbor NWR on Airport Way

7:30am-3:30pm: Field Trip to Tokeland, Grayland, and Westport Loop, Cost: $50

12:30-3 pm: Guided Walk at Grays Harbor NWR, Cost: Free

4:00pm-7:00pm: Festival Information and Registration at Hoquiam Middle School

6:45 pm-7:15 pm: Dessert Reception at Hoquiam High School

7:30 pm-9:00pm: Keynote Speaker Hoquiam High School Theater, Cost: $20

May 6, 2023

12:09 pm-6:09 pm: Best Shorebird Viewing at Grays Harbor NWR (high tide at 3:09 pm)

7:30am-5:00pm: Festival Information and Registration at Hoquiam Middle School

8:30am-3:30pm: Field Trip to Ocean Shores, Cost: $40

9:00am-4:00pm: Free Shuttle between Hoquiam Middle School & the Sandpiper Trail/Refuge

9:00am-5:00pm: Birding Marketplace with Vendors and Exhibitors

9:00am-5:00pm: Nature Fun Fair, Cost: Free

10:00am-11:00am: Presentation: Bring Back the Bees (Mason Bees by Jim Ullrich), Cost: Free

11:00am-4:00pm: Mudflat Meals at Nature Fun Fair, Cost: Free

11:00am-12:00pm: Presentation: Shorebird Identification Basics, Cost: Free

12:30pm-3:30pm: Field Trip to Grays Harbor NWR ? Shorebirds for Beginners, Cost: $15

5:30pm-6:30pm: Social Hour with no?host bar at Elks Club

6:30 pm-9:00 pm: Annual Fundraising Dinner and Speaker (Elks Club), Cost: $40/$15

May 7, 2023

12:56 pm-6:56 pm: Best Shorebird Viewing at Grays Harbor NWR (high tide at 3:56pm)

8:00am-4:00pm: Information and Registration at Hoquiam Middle School

9:00am-4:00pm: Free Shuttle between Hoquiam Middle School and Refuge

8:00am-3:30pm: Field Trip to Tokeland, Grayland, Westport Loop, Cost: $50

9:00am-4:00pm: Birding Marketplace with Vendors and Exhibitors

9:00am-4:00pm: Nature Fun Fair, Cost: Free

11:00am-12:00pm: Birdwatching for Beginners (Rebecca Lexa), Cost: Free

1:00pm-2:00pm: Poster Contest Awards Ceremony

2:00pm-4:00pm: Guided Walk at Grays Harbor NWR, Cost: Free

Date: May 5-7, 2023

Location:

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