Leavenworth Bird Fest Schedule is now LIVE

WRI and North Central Washington Audubon Society (NCWAS) are excited to present the 21st annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest. Join us in celebrating the return of migratory birds and take part in birding field trips, workshops, family activities, and more. This Bird Fest may be the biggest yet with over 50 birding trips. It will be held May 18-21 with Free beginner birding activities happening the week leading up to Bird Fest.

The schedule for Bird Fest is now live. This is a living document and will continue to be updated as Bird Fest approaches. All current information can be found on the Bird Fest website, https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/education-programs/community-programs/bird-fest.

Registration is required for all field trips, workshops, the Keynote Address, and the Birders' BBQ. However, some activities do not require registration, including the Bird Fest Family Day vendor and exhibitor fair, Bird Fest Social, and some pre-festival trips for beginner birders. Come bird with us, discovering the natural beauty and wonders of NCW. Celebrate the return of migratory birds in the midst of peak wildflower season. Enjoy the excitement of birding field trips and workshops. Take part in speaker events, music, visual arts, picnics, and activities for all ages and abilities. All of this is happening in beautiful Leavenworth and throughout the Wenatchee River Valley. Bird Fest happens in association with World Migratory Bird Day. Bird Fest contributes a list of all birds seen during the festival to eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity-related community science project.

Pre-Festival Birding Trips for Beginners

These Pre-Festival Trips are ideal for beginning birders. Loaner binoculars will be available for use at each of these trips. All Pre-Festival Trips are free. Some require registration. Please read individual trip descriptions to learn about each trip’s registration requirements. These trips include:

• Monday, May 15: Intro to Birding at Walla Walla Point Park and Horan

• Tuesday, May 16: Birding at Ohme Gardens

• Wednesday, May 17: Wednesday Wakeup Bird Walk

• Thursday, May 18: Nature Writing at Ski Hill with WVC

• Friday, May 19: Bilingual Birding Horan Natural Area

Bird Fest Family Day

Saturday, May 20 from 10-2 p.m. at Wenatchee River Institute Lawn

As Bird Fest is in full swing, take a break from the hustle and bustle and come meander and learn on Family Day. Family Day is a vendor and exhibitor fair open to everyone. It's a day for families, youth, and adults to gather and take part in educational and recreational activities focusing on birds, wildlife, and their environments. Take part in art and nature activities, learn about, and see real birds, embark on a free guided nature walk, browse, and purchase art from local artists, learn about local organizations, chow down on delicious local food, and enjoy live music from local musician, Eric Link.

Bird Fest Social 

Saturday, May 20 from 3:30-5 p.m. at Wenatchee River Institute

The Bird Fest Planning Committee extends a warm welcome to everyone in our region’s conservation community to come and enjoy the campus at Wenatchee River Institute. We will gather in person on the lovely grounds along the Wenatchee River, where white-headed woodpeckers also hang out. Stop in to say hello to friends, old and new, who support our festival’s vision to promote conservation through educational and recreational activities about birds, wildlife, and their environments. Bring your family and friends, all are welcome - drop by anytime. No registration is required to attend this event. 

Bird Fest Keynote Address:

Join us for the 2023 Bird Fest Keynote Address with professor, researcher, and author, Dr. John Marzluff. “Think Like a Raven” is a culmination of Dr. Marzluff's collaborative work detailing the intertwined lives of ravens, wolves, pumas, and the people that visit and live around Yellowstone. This presentation follows the seasons of Yellowstone and the scientific journey he undertook to decode the mysteries of raven life. What emerges is a picture of the tenuous and evolving relationship between humans, wolves, and ravens, and the challenges animals face when they wander beyond the protection a national park provides. Registration is required for this event. Ticket cost is $20 for an in-person ticket and $10 for a virtual ticket.