Picture an autumn sky blanketed with birds erupting into flight, filling the air with calls and the sound of thousands of wings beating together. Fall is the perfect season for celebrating birds and their migrations. Experiencing a festival at one of your National Wildlife Refuges or other federal lands during fall migration presents the opportunity to participate in fun and informative activities while witnessing one of nature’s wonders. With migration reaching its peak in the coming weeks, we’re providing our recommendation for six incredible festivals to take in the show!
Six fabulous festivals for celebrating birds
ALABAMA
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (Keenan Adams, US Fish and Wildlife Service)
Birders and nature lovers from across the United States and Canada flock to south Alabama every year to experience one of the prime birdwatching opportunities on the Gulf Coast during fall migration. Register now for the 20th Annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest, a premier event centered around birds!
The Alabama Coastal BirdFest takes attendees into the Mobile Delta, to the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, historic Fort Morgan, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, among other locations. The three-day event also includes workshops on subjects such as hummingbirds, the basics of birding, monarch butterflies, and how to use common birding apps. Plus, you can enjoy a family-friendly Bird and Conservation Expo at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center.
WASHINGTON
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (Jake Bonello, US Fish and Wildlife Service)
Ridgefield, Washington’s Annual Birdfest and Bluegrass Celebration brings attention to the migration of the Sandhill Crane to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. This year’s festival is packed with all-day fun in town and on the refuge. Stop in the City of Ridgefield for vendors, crafts, and music downtown. Be sure to participate in the self-guided Carty Unit refuge “Wander Walk” and guided geology tours. Honor the birds of the hour and RSVP for special Sandhill Crane Tours, occurring at 6am and 5pm local time.
North Carolina
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (Kathleen Wagner, Share the Experience)
This year marks the 26th anniversary of Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, which offers visitors educational opportunities and experiences on North Carolina’s national wildlife refuges. Today, over 90 birding, paddling, photography, art, and natural history programs offered on six national wildlife refuges in northeast North Carolina. Enjoy an exploratory hike at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge South Pond, which is normally closed off to visitors. Kayak tours, workshops, and guided birding excursions are only some of the exciting opportunities in store!
Texas
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Mike Carlo, US Fish and Wildlife Service)
Located in and around Harlingen, Texas, the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival includes field trip destinations to Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuges. There are activities for every age and interest level at this festival, with field trips, presentations, Birders Bazaar trade show, souvenirs, and local art and photography displays, across five fun-filled days. Keep your eyes peeled for the great kiskadee, green jay, Altamira oriole and plain chachalaca. Register for this great event by November 9!
VIRGINIA
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (Bill Tucker, Share the Experience)
We can’t think of a better way to spend your Thanksgiving weekend than visiting Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge for guided walks, tours and other special events marking the fall migration of waterfowl to the refuge. Some tours will even be in areas normally closed to the public! The refuge provides habitat for greater snow geese and many other migratory birds. The refuge is on the Virginia end of Assateague Island and includes more than 14,000 acres (5,666 hectares) of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest.
New Mexico
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (Michael Zheng, Share the Experience)
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, located about an hour south of Albuquerque, is the winter home for thousands of sandhill cranes and snow geese. Festival of the Cranes will run from December 11-15, with four days of field workshops and expert seminars you won’t want to miss. Harness your creative side and submit your best Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge photos to the annual photo contest, open July 30-October 1.