The North Olympic Peninsula, a strip of coastlines and forests between million-acre Olympic National Park and the Strait of Juan de ****, is widely known as a great place for bird watching.

The April dates of Olympic BirdFest are timed to overlap wintering birds such as Harlequin and Long tailed ducks, songbirds, and seabirds with spring migration. Rufous hummingbirds arrive in this area from Mexico with the blooming of wild red-flowering currants in early April.

Field trips are planned for Sequim Bay, Port Angeles Harbor, Dungeness Bay, Ediz Hook, Dungeness Spit and the Elwha River, as well as trips through wooded areas and fields to view songbirds.

Two cruises around Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge are available on Sunday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

In addition to the field trips, birders may participate in presentations, workshops and a banquet with a speaker and raffle.

Sequim is the ancestral home of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe (a partner of the non-profit Dungeness River Nature Center). Their Tribal headquarters are at the head of Sequim Bay at Blyn. A tour explaining traditional Northwest Coast totemic art (totem poles, masks, and signage) at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center and their Seven Cedars Resort properties will also be offered.

Schedule of Events:

April 9 - 11, 2024:

10:00 AM: Neah Bay: Birding at the Beginning of the World

Join our tour leaders for a unique, two and a half day birding experience to one of the most remote and wild birding areas of Washington State. We will explore the Makah Indian Nation’s best and most beautiful birding hot spots searching for migrating raptors, seabirds, and songbirds.

Our adventure begins at 10:00 AM Tuesday morning at Clallam Bay County Park in the town of Clallam Bay.  There you will meet Bob Boekelheide to bird the park and beach.  You will then continue on to Neah Bay with additional birding stops along the way.

The next two days will be spent birding at places such as Cape Flattery, Wa’atch Valley, Hobuck Beach, Bahokus Peak and Neah Bay itself looking for migrants and wintering birds.

Cost of the trip:  The trip includes all meals from Tuesday lunch through Thursday lunch, Makah Tribal passes, entrance fee to the Makah Museum, and guides.  All gratuities are included.  Participants must book and pay for their own lodging.

Lodging Options:  Because Neah Bay is extremely busy during fishing season, we have arranged with the Makah Tribe to set aside a block of cabins at the beautiful Hobuck Beach Resort for Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  These rooms are guaranteed to BirdFest participants at a discounted rate until February 29, 2024 when they will be released for public use as well.  After that date the discount still applies but your first choice for cabin style may not be available.  To receive the discount CALL to select lodging of your choice as soon as possible.  Their phone number is 360-645-2339 and mention Olympic Birdfest to receive the discount. Check out their website at www.hobuckbeachresort.com to see what type of lodging works for you!

Location: Clallam Bay County Park, 16716 Frontier St, Port Angeles, WA 98363.

Price: $500

Limit: 16

April 11, 2024:

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Birdwatching is fun and cheap: Basics for you!

As a solitary pursuit, or with friends on a field trip, birdwatching hits all the marks for a great way to spend your time. To be successful all you need is curiosity, an inexpensive pair of binoculars and perhaps a field guide to help Identify what you are observing. If you are new to birding or want to see what it’s all about, then this is the class for you! Learn the basics in this “beginning birds” class and you’ll be ready to step out the door: where to look, how to look for small flickering movements, shapes, colors and habitat, strategies for identification, how to purchase and use binoculars, references, digital resources, and how to identify 20 common birds of the Pacific Northwest. Taught by Dungeness River Nature Center Director, Powell Jones.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center - Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Our Favorite Loon Stories

Speakers: Daniel Poleschook, Jr. and Virginia (“Ginger”) R. Poleschook

Daniel Poleschook, Jr. and Ginger Poleschook have been conducting research on Common Loons in the Pacific Northwest for 30 years.  They studied stressors of the species on the southwestern edge of its breeding range and have used their determinations to direct active conservation measures for a small, banded population in Washington.  Their applied conservation efforts, favorable natural and anthropogenic factors, and the great natural ability of Common Loons to persist and be successful have resulted in a steady population growth of the species in the region.  Daniel and Ginger conducted continual comprehensive surveys and coordinated banding in their research area in northeast Washington from 1995–2024 while being scientists for Biodiversity Research Institute (www.briwildlife.org).  They made positive identification of all Common Loon territorial adults and determined their longevity, productivity, and behavior over those years by acquiring photography and video using high-quality cameras and high-magnification telephoto lenses, while benefiting from having a substantial part of the territorial pairs and juveniles in Washington banded, to compile a robust demographic data set.

Rather than presenting a rigorous compilation of scientific results of their studies, as they have provided each year to biologists of state and federal wildlife agencies, their presentation will feature what they call “Our Favorite Loon Stories.”  You will learn about how Common Loons are very territorial, and yet they can be very social.  You will hear about incidents that demonstrate their very high intelligence and remarkable memory.  You will also learn of their incredible navigation success on their migration pathways across western North America, and about many other amazing capabilities.

Daniel and Ginger will also talk about the photographic equipment they have used to compile a collection of nearly two million loon and other waterbird images and discuss some of their image processing techniques.  Their loon and waterbird photography has been featured in four loon books, numerous scientific journals, in the production of their website LoonConservation.org and several other websites including MontanaLoons.org and OthelloSandhillCraneFestival.org!

Plan to join Daniel and Ginger for this highly educational and entertaining presentation.  It will be a very memorable event!

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center – Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

April 12, 2024:

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM: Birds and Beauty: Elwha to Salt Creek - Trip 1

These trips will take participants to explore some of the magnificent hidden gem locations along the coast of the Strait of Juan de ****. We will start on Ediz Hook, a 3-mile sand spit extending from the shore of Port Angeles, for a look into the harbor that provides shelter for many different species of sea and shorebirds. We will then head to the Elwha River mouth, where phenomenal changes have occurred since the removal of two dams up stream, providing more habitat for gulls and waterfowl. Our next stop is the tranquil Fresh Water Bay, then we will end our trip at the beautiful and scenic Salt Creek Recreation Area. These locations not only provide exceptional bird habitat, but highlight the stunning charm of the North Olympic Peninsula. Some of these locations will include a bit of walking. Dress in layers, be prepared for possible rain, bring lunch, snacks, and extra water for this all-day adventure.

Location: Meets at Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, WA 98363.

Price: $95.00

Note: Driving time from River Center is 30 minutes.

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Birding Sequim Bay and John Wayne Marina - Trip 1 & 2

Sequim Bay, one of the great, protected embayments of the North Olympic Peninsula, attracts a wonderful variety of shorebirds, alcids, gulls, and waterfowl. The bay provides great opportunities to see Rhinoceros Auklets and Marbled Murrelets. Possible Ducks include Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Hooded Mergansers, Surf and White-winged Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks.

Location: North boat ramp at John Wayne Marina, 2577 W Sequim Bay Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Birding Three Crabs and Dungeness Bay - Trip 1

Trip Leader: Gary Bullock

Dungeness Bay is a spectacular estuary at the mouth of the Dungeness River, one of the prime birding areas of the North Olympic Peninsula. Deemed an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, it is rich in birdlife throughout the year. Waterfowl gather here by the thousands, including Brant, who feed on eelgrass during migration and in winter. At the right tide, shorebirds include Plovers, Dowitchers, Yellowlegs, several Sandpipers, Whimbrels, and Godwits feeding in easy view, along with Eagles and Falcons.

Location: Dungeness Landing County Park, 298 Oyster House Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Birding Dungeness Spit and Adjacent Forests - Trip 1

Trips leader: Dow Lambert

The longest natural sand spit in the United States, Dungeness Spit juts over five miles into the Strait of Juan de ****. Part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, the Spit offers viewing of birds in the Strait with those of an inshore bay. We will walk through forested uplands to find song birds, then emerge onto viewing sites to scope inshore and offshore waters for loons, grebes, sea ducks, auklets, murrelets, and more. We’ll descend a paved trail onto the Spit and walk a sandy portion of the shoreline. Later we’ll walk several trails in the Dungeness Recreation Area to see birds of upland rain shadow habitats, mixing thickets of forest with open grasslands and marshes. Where else can you see Black Scoters and Red-throated Loons in the same morning as Northern Harriers and Golden-crowned Sparrows? The trip includes walking approximately 2 miles over both paved and graveled trails.

Location: Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge parking lot, 554 Voice of America Rd W, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Birding Elwha Beach Lake and Estuary - Trip 1 & 2

Explore the creation of prime wildlife habitat on the newly formed delta of the Elwha River where beach armoring was removed starting in 2016. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe has granted us permission to explore this transforming landscape. We will walk on gravel, beach and road (up to 3 miles), birding by ear and scoping the Salish Sea and Elwha River Mouth. Excellent bird habitat is provided by stands of conifer and deciduous forest, fresh/brackish water, sand and logs. Forage fish such as herring are preyed upon by numerous local and migratory bird species. Shorebirds are expected to stopover on the estuary as kelp beds form and sand is colonized by mollusks, crustaceans, worms, and other sand-dwelling prey. Dress in layers of clothing that are ideally not 100% cotton (try to avoid jeans) and bring a rain jacket.

Location: Lower Elwha Road, Beach Lake gravel parking area with Port-a-Potty East of Stratton Road, 48.144421, -123.543963, Port Angeles, WA 98363.

Price: $30.00

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Bays & Coasts of the Olympic Peninsula - Trip 1

Trip Leader: Bob Boekelheide

Winter resident and migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors are the focus of this all day field trip. Guided by Bob Boekelheide, the group will explore the very best coastal birding between Sequim Bay and the Elwha River. Dress in layers, be prepared for possible rain, bring lunch, snacks, and extra water for this all-day adventure.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $95.00

Note: Trips involve walking on sandy/uneven terrain.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Drawing Bird Feathers with Robert Amaral

Instructors: Shirley Anderson & Robert Amaral

Explore the anatomy of feathers and learn to illustrate different varieties of feathers with biology teacher Shirley Anderson and artist Robert Amaral. All skill levels are welcome. Participants will bring their own materials recommended by Robert Amaral as follows:

Class Materials List:

Participants will need to bring all of their own materials. The River Center will not be able to provide materials.

You will need materials for color application- these materials may include:

Watercolor paints, (along with brushes, watercolor paper, etc.), Watercolor Pencils, Gouache paint, Prismacolor pencils, crayons, pastels, etc. Bring what you are comfortable using for color. In addition, bring the following:

Pencils: HB, 2B, 2H
Pencil Sharpener
Eraser
Sketchbook or Paper: The size should be at least 9” x 12” or larger. The watercolor paper should be smooth grained (Hot Press), not rough or textured. The paper you bring should be able to handle watercolor paint (or wet media). You can bring toned papers (Canson) or any papers you like working with.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center - Cedar Hat Classroom, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $40.00

Class size limit: 14

If you have questions about the materials or the class, Robert can be reached at: [email protected].

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Swallows - Aerial Acrobats of the North Olympic Peninsula

On our Olympic Peninsula the annual arrival of Tree and Violet Green Swallows in early March, proclaim that spring is near. As spring blossoms, an increasing array of swallow species and numbers populate our region. These charismatic, acrobatic, small song birds fill our spring and summers skies, feeding on insects and thrilling us with their hectic pace and chattering flight. Of the ten species of swallows that migrate to the continental United States, we see six in our region. Our program will focus on our local swallows and be richly illustrated with photographs of the species that are these acrobats of our spring and summer sky. We’ll discuss swallow identification, nesting, breeding, diet, and migration timing. Join us to hear the captivating songs of the Purple Martin and calls of the Barn Swallow. Program includes a short stroll to see the swallows that nest in Railroad Bridge Park. Program will be led by Ken Wiersema, President of Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, and a volunteer instructor in our Center for over 20 years.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center – Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary - Trip 1

Owned and managed by Arnold and Debbie Schouten since 1980, Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary has many unique waterfowl and shorebird species. It is a private collection and wildlife sanctuary near Port Angeles, Washington. Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary raises 14 species of waterfowl commonly known as sea ducks, all of which are rarely seen up close in the wild. Sea ducks spend most of their lives in salt water, coming to fresh water only during the breeding season. The sea duck group includes some of the most spectacular and highly specialized waterfowl such as Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, Scoters, Eiders, Mergansers and Goldeneyes. How do you raise these awesome birds? Very carefully!

You will be walking on a dirt path in a wooded area. It is not ADA accessible.
100% of the proceeds go to the Dungeness River Nature Center.

Note: Average driving time from Sequim to this event is about 25 minutes.

Location: Port Angeles (get directions at registration)

Price: $30.00

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Bird Drawing Class with Robert Amaral

Enhance your enjoyment of birds by drawing them! Join artist/instructor Robert Amaral in this workshop where he will focus on such fundamentals as seeing the bird’s basic shapes, progressing from simple to complex forms, relating proportions and capturing the posture of our birds. There will be drawing demonstrations and you will draw birds from the Dungeness River Nature Center’s extensive collection of mounts. All skill levels are welcome.

Participants will bring their own materials recommended by Robert Amaral as follows:

Class Materials List:

The following is a list of the materials we will be using:

Pencils: One each of these - HB, 2B, 4B.
Pencil Sharpener
Erasers: Kneaded eraser and Magic Rub eraser
Sketch Book: The size should be 9” x 12” or larger. The paper should be smooth grained, not rough or textured. Newsprint pads are NOT suitable for final drawings, but are suitable for initial sketching.
We will be using simple materials, but if you have favorite drawing materials – papers, pencils, etc. – you are welcome to bring them!

Suggested Materials: Prismacolor pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolor paints, crayons, pastels, etc.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center - Cedar Hat Classroom, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $40.00

Class size limit: 14

If you have questions about the materials or the class, Robert can be reached at: [email protected].

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Salmon, Eagles, Coast Salish Culture - Northwest Coast Icons

Pacific Northwest ecosystems and Coast Salish indigenous culture have been shaped by extraordinary relationships with Pacific Salmon. So much is dependent on these river born, ocean travelers. Birds including Bald Eagles, Herons, Kingfishers, and even Pacific Wrens, as well as most wildlife, insects, and even plants and trees benefit from the nutrients that salmon bring upstream when spawning and dying in the river’s shallows. Learn about Pacific Salmon including their life cycle from tiny egg to 30-lb adults, current status in the Dungeness watershed, river and estuary restoration efforts, and why it matters. Taught by Dungeness River Center Director, Powell Jones.

Location: Dungeness Hatchery and Surrounding Area, 1261 Fish Hatchery Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Understanding Birding Optics

Learn from two local experts, Christie and Jim, about the latest in optical technologies that provide “up close and personal” views of the feathered friends in our backyards, fields, and shorelines. They will discuss technical parameters such as lens diameter, magnification power, and other specifications that determine cost-benefit considerations when making purchasing decisions. They will explain the various uses of binoculars and spotting scopes in differing light and weather conditions. Additionally, they will touch on the topic of “digiscoping”— techniques for adapting a digital camera lens (such a cell phone camera) into a telephoto device for capturing images of birds at a distance and by special request they will include a segment on “Optics Tips and Tricks” to make your optical experience optimum! Vortex, Swarovski & Kowa Optics will be on hand to demonstrate and purchase after the session.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center - Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Owls of the Olympic Peninsula

Presenter: Powell Jones

Masters of the Night

This is a seminar style presentation on the owls that call the Pacific Northwest home and how they are adapted to be masters of the night. Led by the Dungeness River Nature Center Director Powell Jones, this program will explore the lives of these fantastic creatures with an emphasis on understanding the unique and amazing adaptations that they utilize to survive in a competitive environment.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center - Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The Big Year Movie Showing

Celebrate Olympic BirdFest 2024 with a screening of The Big Year, a 2011 film starring Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson. In this comedy, three bird watchers compete to spot the highest number of species and find there is more to life than beating the competition. Rated PG. 100 minutes. Subtitles in English.

This film is adapted from Mark Obmascik’s best-selling book, The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession, available to borrow through NOLS catalog.

Location: Port Angeles Main Library, Carver Room, 2210 South Peabody Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362.

Price: Free, Pre registration required

Register Here

April 13, 2024:

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM: Birds and Beauty: Elwha to Salt Creek - Trip 2

These trips will take participants to explore some of the magnificent hidden gem locations along the coast of the Strait of Juan de ****. We will start on Ediz Hook, a 3-mile sand spit extending from the shore of Port Angeles, for a look into the harbor that provides shelter for many different species of sea and shorebirds. We will then head to the Elwha River mouth, where phenomenal changes have occurred since the removal of two dams up stream, providing more habitat for gulls and waterfowl. Our next stop is the tranquil Fresh Water Bay, then we will end our trip at the beautiful and scenic Salt Creek Recreation Area. These locations not only provide exceptional bird habitat, but highlight the stunning charm of the North Olympic Peninsula. Some of these locations will include a bit of walking. Dress in layers, be prepared for possible rain, bring lunch, snacks, and extra water for this all-day adventure.

Location: Meets at Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, WA 98363.

Price: $95.00

Note: Driving time from River Center is 30 minutes.

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Birding Sequim Bay and John Wayne Marina - Trip 3 & 4

Sequim Bay, one of the great, protected embayments of the North Olympic Peninsula, attracts a wonderful variety of shorebirds, alcids, gulls, and waterfowl. The bay provides great opportunities to see Rhinoceros Auklets and Marbled Murrelets. Possible Ducks include Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Hooded Mergansers, Surf and White-winged Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks.

Location: North boat ramp at John Wayne Marina, 2577 W Sequim Bay Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Birding Three Crabs and Dungeness Bay - Trip 2

Trip Leader: Gary Bullock

Dungeness Bay is a spectacular estuary at the mouth of the Dungeness River, one of the prime birding areas of the North Olympic Peninsula. Deemed an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, it is rich in birdlife throughout the year. Waterfowl gather here by the thousands, including Brant, who feed on eelgrass during migration and in winter. At the right tide, shorebirds include Plovers, Dowitchers, Yellowlegs, several Sandpipers, Whimbrels, and Godwits feeding in easy view, along with Eagles and Falcons.

Location: Dungeness Landing County Park, 298 Oyster House Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Birding Dungeness Spit and Adjacent Forests - Trip 2

Trips leader: Dow Lambert

The longest natural sand spit in the United States, Dungeness Spit juts over five miles into the Strait of Juan de ****. Part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, the Spit offers viewing of birds in the Strait with those of an inshore bay. We will walk through forested uplands to find song birds, then emerge onto viewing sites to scope inshore and offshore waters for loons, grebes, sea ducks, auklets, murrelets, and more. We’ll descend a paved trail onto the Spit and walk a sandy portion of the shoreline. Later we’ll walk several trails in the Dungeness Recreation Area to see birds of upland rain shadow habitats, mixing thickets of forest with open grasslands and marshes. Where else can you see Black Scoters and Red-throated Loons in the same morning as Northern Harriers and Golden-crowned Sparrows? The trip includes walking approximately 2 miles over both paved and graveled trails.

Location: Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge parking lot, 554 Voice of America Rd W, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM: Bays & Coasts of the Olympic Peninsula - Trip 2

Trip Leader: Bob Boekelheide

Winter resident and migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors are the focus of this all day field trip. Guided by Bob Boekelheide, the group will explore the very best coastal birding between Sequim Bay and the Elwha River. Dress in layers, be prepared for possible rain, bring lunch, snacks, and extra water for this all-day adventure.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $95.00

Note: Trips involve walking on sandy/uneven terrain.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary - Trip 2

Owned and managed by Arnold and Debbie Schouten since 1980, Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary has many unique waterfowl and shorebird species. It is a private collection and wildlife sanctuary near Port Angeles, Washington. Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary raises 14 species of waterfowl commonly known as sea ducks, all of which are rarely seen up close in the wild. Sea ducks spend most of their lives in salt water, coming to fresh water only during the breeding season. The sea duck group includes some of the most spectacular and highly specialized waterfowl such as Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, Scoters, Eiders, Mergansers and Goldeneyes. How do you raise these awesome birds? Very carefully!

You will be walking on a dirt path in a wooded area. It is not ADA accessible.
100% of the proceeds go to the Dungeness River Nature Center.

Note: Average driving time from Sequim to this event is about 25 minutes.

Location: Port Angeles (get directions at registration)

Price: $30.00

6:00 AM - 7:30 AM: Saturday Dawn Chorus

Trip Leader: Bob Boekelheide

Rise and shine! The lower 11 miles of the Dungeness River pass through large stands of intact riparian forests, and has been designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Railroad Bridge Park is one of the few public accesses to this habitat, where Bald Eagles, American Dippers, and Common Mergansers cruise the rivers and Brown Creepers, vireos, warblers, and other forest birds cruise the canopy. Join us for a lovely walk by the river.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Birds in the Lens - Photography Basics and Beyond

Teacher: Robert Steelquist

Whether your goal is simply to take your birding to another level or to produce professional-level documentary or fine art pictures of birds, this workshop will introduce basic concepts, equipment, technique, field craft, and composition to get you started or help you make better photographs. While the workshop is primarily a classroom activity, two breaks will give you the opportunity to practice in woodland and riparian areas around the Dungeness River Nature Center.

Olympic Peninsula author and photographer Robert Steelquist has photographed birds (and other things) in locations as diverse as the Yucatan Peninsula, Alaska, Okefenokee Swamp and throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies. His bird photography is in the permanent collection of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and on display at the tribe’s Justice Center in Blyn. He is currently documenting Pacific Flyway Sandhill Cranes throughout their migratory range.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center – Raven Room, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $95.00

Class size limit: 14

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Backyard Feeder Tour

Leaders: Montana Napier & John Bridge

There’s no greater joy than attracting birds to your yard and supporting their well-being, but it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Join us for a feeder tour to practice your bird and plant identification and learn from great examples of backyard habitat. We’ll begin this tour by observing the feeders and rain garden outside the Dungeness River Nature Center. After that, the instructors will take you to two properties that are perfect for birds. The tour will end in the beautiful garden outside Wild Birds Unlimited near Blyn, Washington. Dress in layers for warmth and rain protection if needed.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Cost: $30.00

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Totem Tour - Trip 1 & 2

Trip Leader: Teresa Smithlin

Meet your tour group at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Native Art Gallery and jump onto a bus for a guided tour of their renowned totem poles. Your host will give an “up-close” view of the poles, explaining the historical figures and legends that inspired their designs. You will learn about the “Founding Fathers” of the Jamestown Tribe, discover why the S’Klallam are called the “Strong People,” and why the wolf is so well respected. The numerous stories and folk tales of these carved columns will be revealed to you. Limited to 12 participants.

Location: Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Native Art Gallery, 1033 Old Blyn Hwy, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Ediz Hook and Port Angeles Harbor

Trip Leader: Judy Mullally

Port Angeles Harbor, surrounded on its north side by Ediz Hook, provides shelter for many species of waterfowl, alcids, gulls, grebes, loons, and cormorants. It is one of the best places to see beautiful Harlequin Ducks up close, and to compare all three species of roosting cormorants (Pelagic, Double-crested, and Brandt’s). We will look for Black Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks swimming on the north side in the Strait. April is also a good month to see Marbled Murrelets and Rhinoceros Auklets swimming within the harbor. We will stop at the best places at the Hook and around the harbor, depending on birds.  Some short walking at viewpoints; we may carpool to facilitate parking. Dress in layers for warmth and rain protection if needed. Meet by the restrooms near the tip of Ediz Hook (across from the small grove of pine trees near the entrance to the Coast Guard base).

Location: Ediz Hook - Port Angeles, WA.

Price: $30.00

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Birds: The Inside Story

They say the feathers make the bird, and feathers are pretty incredible, but birds are so much more than that. They’re true marvels of evolutionary engineering, and their feathers are just the beginning of the story.  They have the same basic requirements of any animal, of course, air and fuel in, waste out, etc., but birds go about their business in in some very strange ways. In the world of animals, birds are oddballs to say the least. This class is a short course in how their amazing construction allows them to pay the bills.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center - Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Nest Box Building Class

Since 1998, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society has offered classes on the design and fabrication of nest boxes. This year we are offering the class to our BirdFest attendees. In the class you will learn why we build nest boxes, and how to build your own! A short illustrated presentation will be followed by hands-on assembly of your box that you can take home and install near your home. Class fee includes: Illustrated presentation, a nest box kit (from local rough cut cedar), assembly materials, tools, and expert assistance. Program will be led by Ken Wiersema, President of Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, and a volunteer instructor in our Center for over 20 years, assisted by several local craft folks.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center - Cedar Hat Classroom, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Zippy, Vocal and Ravenous - Everything We Love about Hummingbirds

Presenter: Powell Jones

Jewels of the Forest

This is a seminar style lecture, led by Dungeness River Nature Center Director Powell Jones. He will explore the lives of these fantastic and often misunderstood birds. Come learn about their lightning fast lives and the extreme adaptations hummingbirds employ to live day to day.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center – Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: BirdFest Banquet - Salmon, Cedar, Rock & Rain, Stories and Images of the Olympic Peninsula

Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner, from appetizer to dessert, at Dungeness River Nature Center’s Rainshadow Hall.

Kokopelli Grill will cater the event again this year, providing entree options of Salmon Filet with an ancho light butter or Pasta La Casa in a luscious cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes.  Both will be served with generous helpings of accompanying sides.

Please register for this event by choosing either the salmon option or vegetarian option.

This event always sells out so register early to save your seat. Limited to 100.

Saturday Night’s Banquet Speakers: John Gussman, Loni Grinnell-Greninger, Tim McNulty

John, Loni, and Tim will share stories, excerpts and images from their new book, Salmon Cedar Rock and Rain: Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. A truly collaborative project from Mountaineers Books, Salmon, Cedar, Rock & Rain is a celebration of this remarkable place, its wild birds and animals, and the peoples who for untold centuries have called it home. The authors will share personal perspectives on the Peninsula’s natural, cultural and conservation history combined with readings and a sampling of the gorgeous photographs that bring the Olympic Peninsula to life. The Center is honored to bring together these authors for you, to convey the grandeur of our unique place.

Loni Grinnell-Greninger currently serves her people as the Vice Chairwoman at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University in 2012, and her Masters of Public Administration degree with an emphasis in Tribal Governance from The Evergreen State College in 2016. In 2017 she came home to serve her Tribe, taking on the roles of Deputy Director, and then Director of Social & Community Services. In her Council and Director roles, she works closely with federal, state, and local governments, as well as numerous tribal and non-tribal organizations to engage in policy and cultural work for her Tribe and on behalf of Indian Country.

Tim McNulty is a poet, essayist, and natural history writer. He is the author of three poetry collections and twelve books on natural history, including Salmon, Cedar, Rock & Rain: Washington’s Olympic Peninsula (Braided River/Mountaineers Books) and Olympic National Park: A Natural History (University of Washington Press). Tim has received the Washington State Book Award and the National Outdoor Book Award, among other honors. He has lived most of his life in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains and serves as vice president of the conservation organization, Olympic Park Advocates.

John Gussman became interested in photography to share the natural beauty of the places he traveled. He earned a degree in photography, and moved to Sequim in 1979 to be close to wilderness. With Olympic National Park as his backyard, he began to photograph this ancient natural region. In 1982 he began his own business, Doubleclick Productions, and found he had a talent and interest for photographing landscapes, people, adventures, wildlife, and outdoor lifestyles. John created an extensive collection of stock images and videos centered around the Olympic Peninsula as well as other natural areas. John accepts contracts for an array of projects to tell the stories of individuals, companies, non-profits, and environmental organizations demonstrating the relationship between humans and the natural world. A 45 year resident of the Olympic Peninsula, John considers it one of the most biodiverse places in the USA. Here nature still rules, and humans feel small in its presence.

Doors open at 5:30 PM

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center - Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $75.00 (casual dress)

April 14, 2024:

7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Gardiner Beach & Diamond Point

Trip Leader: John Gatchet

Diamond Point, once called Clallam Point because it was once the site of a S’Klallam stronghold, sits at the junction of Discovery Bay and the Strait of Juan de ****. The Point is just 2.5 miles south of Protection Island, a National Wildlife Refuge with one of the largest seabird nesting sites in Washington State. The currents here are especially swift during tide changes. And because the boat ramp and point are also adjacent to protected forest uplands, it’s a great place to see waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds with a minimal amount of walking. In the late 1800s, Diamond Point was a medical quarantine station where ships entering Puget Sound were required to stop for fumigation and passengers required to disembark for a health check, and if they failed, were held here. Several original buildings remain.

Location: Meet at Gardiner Boat Ramp, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $30.00

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Protection Island Cruise - Trip 1 & 2

Trip Leader: Barb Blackie

This 3-hour boat trip aboard the M/V GLACIER SPIRIT will cruise around Protection Island, a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge. Marine birds and mammals will be the targets of this trip, and we should see Rhinoceros Auklets, Long-tailed Ducks, Common Murres, loons, cormorants, gulls, harbor seals, and possibly porpoises, elephant seals, and sea lions. The GLACIER SPIRIT is an enclosed, comfortable boat (although the best wildlife viewing is done out in the weather), and snacks and beverages are available for a small price. This trip is limited to 65 persons and will probably sell out rapidly, so get your reservations early.

Note: Do not bring scopes or tripods.

Launch from: Near the north boat ramp at John Wayne Marina, 2577 W Sequim Bay Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $95.00

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue Meet and Greet

Meet the ambassador birds from Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue (DBWBR).

DBWBR is a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation center located in Port Townsend, WA. Rescued birds are found throughout the Olympic Peninsula and are brought to the Center where they are treated for illnesses and injuries and eventually released back to their natural habitat. In this presentation you will hear all about what it’s like at a rescue hospital and meet some of their non-releasable raptors and learn their individual stories. Photographs are allowed and questions encouraged! Donations to DBWBR are appreciated. You can visit their website here: http://www.discoverybaywildbirdrescue.com/index.html

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center – Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $25

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: “Stuffed”: A film on the art of taxidermy

A sassy younger generation is taking taxidermy to a new level. Stuffed, an independent-film favorite, explores the genre in a whole new light, while highlighting artistic creations and the change in museum interpretation of birds and wildlife. After the film, 25-year-old taxidermist Elizabeth Barrett, who repaired the River Center cougar’s snarl, will talk about some of the unusual challenges that have appeared in her Port Angeles shop, and her parents, siblings, and schoolmates’ reaction to her preoccupations.

Location: Dungeness River Nature Center – Rainshadow Hall, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382.

Price: $20.00

Dates: April 11 - 14, 2024

Location:

Various Venue,
Sequim, WA 98382.

Register Here

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