Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival

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.

The Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival features guided walks at the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and other local birding “hotspots.,” at the Hoquiam Middle School there will be guest speakers, workshops and a Nature Fun Fair with lots of interesting activities for the whole family. This year the festival is excited to have as the Keynote Speaker, John the Falconer with his live raptor ambassadors.