Migratory Bird May!

Happy May, readers! This month, May 11th to be exact, we celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. Around the Pacific Region a number of events are happening to celebrate this special day throughout the month! Below, we have showcased some of our favorites from around the region. If any of these are in your area, get out and check them out! If not, you can visit the birdday.org event map to find an event close to you!



Visitor to the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Festival of the Birds last year enjoying
 U.S. Fish & Wildlife activities!
Photo Credit: USFWS



Festival of the Birds
Oregon

Saturday | May 11^th, 2013

9:00am – 2:00pm

Come spend the day at Sellwood Park and Oaks Bottom celebrating birds and enjoying the great outdoors. This will be a great day full of exciting activities for you, friends and families! Renowned author, photographer and conservationist, Paul Bannick will be giving a talk on his book The Owl and the Woodpecker. There will also be guided bird walks, live music and stories, kids' games, arts & crafts, live birds from Audubon, and exhibits about the birds of Portland! http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/ExternalAffairs/Outreach/BirdDay2013.asp

Volunteer naturalists at Tualatin River NWR training
to provide tours to visitors!
Photo Credit: USFWS

Tualatin River Bird Festival – Oregon
Saturday | May 18^th, 2013

9:00am – 3:00pm

Every year at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, migratory birds are celebrated during the annual Bird Festival. Located just south of Portland, Oregon this festival is the perfect way for Portland city dwellers to celebrate birds! A family-friendly, FREE event will include bird shows, conservation exhibits, food and guided walks for adults and children! Kids will have the chance to build a bee board, bird or bat house or even play migration putt-putt golf!

http://tualatinriverbirdfestival.org/

Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge,
International Migratory Bird Day
Washington

Saturday | May 11^th, 2013

9:00am – 12:00 noon

Come out to Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge in south, central Washington state on International Migratory Birds Day! Celebrate the migration of birds and their return to the Yakima Valley! Come identify, count and observe bird species throughout the day.

http://www.fws.gov/mcriver/documents/2013-events.pdf.



A photo from International Migratory Bird Day 2012 at Marais des
Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge with Operation Wildlife.
Photo Credit: Patrick Martin/USFWS



Camas National Wildlife Refuge,
International Migratory Bird Day
Idaho

Sunday | May 19^th, 2013

Just north of Idaho Falls, Camas National Wildllife Refuge offers a number of activities including wildlife viewing, photography, bird watching and more. During migration up to 50,000 ducks and 3,000 geese may be found on the refuge. Get out with friends and family and see how many you can spot!

Call for info: 208-662-5423

http://www.fws.gov/camasnwr



A female yellow-headed blackbird ready for International Migratory
Bird Day at Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area.
Photo Credit: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife



Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest
Washington

Thursday - Sunday | May 16^th – 19^th, 2013

A weekend long celebration of migratory birds is happening in Leavenworth, WA! Speakers will include John Ruthven (who will also offer a drawing class) and Idie Ulsh of NPR’s “Bird Note.” Throughout the weekend, naturalists will lead bird walks along with many more family-friendly and exciting activities!http://www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com/

Ladd Marsh Bird Festival
Oregon

Friday - Sunday | May 17^th-19^th, 2013

Located in La Grande, OR this festival hosts weekend long activities including birding, birds of prey presentations, music, food and more! Gary Ivey, a Research Associate of the International Crane Foundation, will also be present to give an exciting presentation about Sandhill Cranes that use the Pacific Flyway!
Ladd Marsh Bird Festival