Oregon Shorebird Festival

Whimbrels at South Beach\Photo by Cathy Tronquet.

For 32 years people have been gathering on the Oregon coast to watch thousands of shorebirds as they migrate from their arctic breeding grounds as far south as the tip of Argentina. Some of these shorebirds will be flying more than 7,000 miles. Oregon’s estuaries are a place they stopover to rest and eat during this long journey. You can be a part of this natural phenomenon at the Oregon Shorebird Festival in Charleston, Oregon.   

During expertly guided trips to Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, visitors will have an excellent opportunity to view the most abundant shorebirds including Western and Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, Long-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Plover, and Black-bellied Plover.  A paddle trip along the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve will accommodate birders interested in seeing Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Belted Kingfisher and Spotted Sandpiper.  A field trip through Coos Bay will treat visitors to Black Turnstone, Wandering Tattler, Surfbird, and Black Oystercatcher.  A five-hour guided Pelagic Trip offers the opportunity for Black-footed albatross, Parasitic Jaeger, Sabine’s Gull, Fork-tailed Stormpetrel, Sooty Shearwater, Pink-footed Shearwater, Northern Fulmar, Pomarine Jaeger, Red-necked Phalarope, and Cassin’s Auklet sightings. On Friday and Saturday evenings enjoy presentations by expert birders and naturalists from all over the world.  

Pack up your binoculars and join the Cape Arago Audubon Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve for a weekend of birding fun and adventure.

See below for the schedule for the Oregon Shorebird Festival:

Friday Sept 21

Registration
4-6pm at OIMB Cafeteria 
63466 Boat Basin Rd, Charleston

Presentation
$15 fee
7pm-9pm
Tim Boyer: Avian Photography

Saturday Sept 22 

Bandon Marsh & Beach Trip
7:45am - 3:00pm
Meet and carpool from OIMB.
This guided field trip will visit the best birding locations in Bandon including the South Jetty, China Creek, and Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. These areas often have an abidance of fall migrating shorebirds including Black-bellied Plovers, Semipalmated Plovers, Dunlins, Western and Least Sandpipers, Whimbrels, and Long-billed Dowitchers. At the South Jetty expect to sea Surfbirds, Wandering Tattlers, and Black and Ruddy Turnstones. You can also walk China Creek along Bandon Beach to see the Western Snowy Plovers (a federally threatened species).
Sign up for this field trip on Friday during registration. 

Coos Bay Trip
7:45am - 3:00pm
Meet and carpool from OIMB.
This guided field trip makes stops at popular birding spots including Cape Arago, Charleston, Empire, Millicoma Marsh and the North Spit. Habitats include the ocean, tide flats, willow patches and freshwater marsh. Cape Arago is a great place to see Harlequin Ducks, Black Oystercatchers, Marbled Murrelets and many songbirds. Expected shorebirds include Western and Least Sandpipers, Short and Long-billed Dowitchers, and Semipalmated and Black-bellied Plovers.
Sign up for this field trip on Friday during registration. 

South Slough Paddle Trip
8:00am-1:00pm
Price $65
Meet at the Hinch Road Paddle Landing, in the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Float with the tide and explore the shores of South Slough by canoe or kayak as we search from winged wildlife. Boats, PFDs and paddles are provided. If you wish to bring your own sea-worthy boat you can receive at 20% discount. Contact Dave to learn more about this opportunity. Prepare for both sunny and inclement weather, and wear shoes that can get wet and muddy. Bring your own water and a lunch. Space is limited. 
Register and Pay separately with dave@southcoasttours.net or call (541) 373-0487 (www.southcoasttours.net)

Sustainable Seafood Dinner
$25 fee
5:30pm-6:30pm
OIMB Cafeteria

Presentation
$15 fee
7pm-9pm
Tim Boyer: Photographing Shorebirds

Sunday Sept 23

Pelagic Tour
6:30am meeting time, 7:00am departure time
Price $85
Meet at Betty Kay Charters in the Charleston Marine at 6:30am for a 7:00am departure. 
Description: Oregon Pelagic Tours will host a five-hour pelagic trip to give participants a sense of what a day-long pelagic trip is like. Potential sightings include Black-footed albatross, Parasitic Jaeger, Sabine’s Gull, Fork-tailed Stormpetrel, Sooty Shearwater, Pink-footed Shearwater, Northern Fulmar, Pomarine Jaeger, Red-necked Phalarope, Cassin’s Auklet and more! On-board expert guides will identify birds and other marine life and describe their natural history. 
Register & Pay separately here. 

Bandon Marsh & Beach Trip
7:45am - 3:00pm
Meet and carpool from OIMB.
This guided field trip will visit the best birding locations in Bandon including the South Jetty, China Creek, and Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. These areas often have an abidance of fall migrating shorebirds including Black-bellied Plovers, Semipalmated Plovers, Dunlins, Western and Least Sandpipers, Whimbrels, and Long-billed Dowitchers. At the South Jetty expect to sea Surfbirds, Wandering Tattlers, and Black and Ruddy Turnstones. You can also walk China Creek along Bandon Beach to see the Western Snowy Plovers (a federally threatened species).
Sign up for this field trip on Friday during registration. 

Coos Bay Trip
7:45am - 3:00pm
Meet and carpool from OIMB.
This guided field trip makes stops at popular birding spots including Cape Arago, Charleston, Empire, Millicoma Marsh and the North Spit. Habitats include the ocean, tide flats, willow patches and freshwater marsh. Cape Arago is a great place to see Harlequin Ducks, Black Oystercatchers, Marbled Murrelets and many songbirds. Expected shorebirds include Western and Least Sandpipers, Short and Long-billed Dowitchers, and Semipalmated and Black-bellied Plovers.
Sign up for this field trip on Friday during registration. 

South Slough Paddle Trip
8:00am-1:00pm
Price $65
Meet at the Hinch Road Paddle Landing, in the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Float with the tide and explore the shores of South Slough by canoe or kayak as we search from winged wildlife. Boats, PFDs and paddles are provided. If you wish to bring your own sea-worthy boat you can receive at 20% discount. Contact Dave to learn more about this opportunity. Prepare for both sunny and inclement weather, and wear shoes that can get wet and muddy. Bring your own water and a lunch. Space is limited. 
Register and Pay separately with dave@southcoasttours.net or call (541) 373-0487 (www.southcoasttours.net)