It's a "Shore" Thing: Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival is This Weekend

Ah, spring is in the air. And so are the birds.

shorebirds in flight Photo Courtesy of shorebirdfestival.com

 

photo courtesy of shorebirdfestival.com

This month welcomes the return of the bird to Grays Harbor. As evidence that spring is here and the sunshine will (hopefully) show itself with more frequency for the next several months, birds of all kinds are finding their way back North. The shorebird varieties are no different as they travel upwards to the Alaskan tundra (which I learned in my interview below) and the spectacle of witnessing them arrive in droves peaks this weekend with the annual Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival. A bevy of activities ranging from field trips to lectures to a bird lover’s marketplace and more allow you to celebrate this migratory sensation, which is mostly centered around the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge at Bowerman Field in Hoquiam.

I admit that I have an affinity for birds. After all, my favorite segment of Portlandia is Put a Bird On It. I have a “blue bird of happiness” on my desk at work that I frequently pet in an effort to amplify the good vibes (whether it works or not is debatable). And I have an unwaning giddiness at spotting my favorite bird, the Western Scrubjay. But I’ll also admit that I possess no actual bird knowledge so I am making a concerted effort to make the most of this year’s Shorebird Festival and learn something about these migratory wonders that grace us with their presence. Who better to ask then a local avian expert? I “pecked” at the brain of Dianna Moore, who is a Festival committee member and a Grays Harbor Audobon Society board member to learn a bit more about the shorebird sensation.

Q: What makes a shorebird breed so unique over other birds spotted in Grays Harbor?

A:  Most shorebirds we see in Grays Harbor during spring and fall migration are in the middle of a long migration between South America and the Alaskan tundra. The sheer numbers of these birds during the spring migration makes them noticeable to all who see them, even non-birders.

Dianna Moore holds a bald eagle

Q:  Ahh, so that would be me: the novice bird enthusiast. What is the ideal itinerary for a first time festival attendee, to get most out of their inaugural birding weekend?

A: If the first-time visitor does nothing else, a trip to Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge at high tide is a good way to experience the migration. Volunteers with scopes are out on the Sandpiper Trail during the festival and will be glad to answer your questions. To get a better idea of what is being seen, register for the $10 lecture (Shorebird I.D. Basics) and the following $15 field trip to the refuge (Shorebirds for Beginners).

Q: What tools of the trade should I invest in as I start my birding adventures?

A: Though a lot of equipment isn't a necessity, it does help to have a pair of binoculars and a good bird identification book. For those who get bitten by the birding bug, a scope is next on the list.

Q:  Where are the best three birding spots in Grays Harbor County?

A: Grays Harbor NWR out by Bowerman Airport in Hoquiam, BottleBeach State Park on Hwy 105 in Ocosta (you will need a Discover Pass), and out on the beach in Ocean Shores at high tide.

Q: Those sound like great places to see our winged friends. What is the most spectacular bird you’ve spotted in Grays Harbor?

A: The recent irruption (increase in population) of Snowy Owls out on Damon Point in Ocean Shores, though a Gyrfalcon ranks right up near the top of that list too.

Q: Those are both spectacular looking birds! If you could pick just one bird to represent Grays Harbor County, what would it be?

As unromantic a bird as you will find, but it would have to be a Sanderling; they are the small, pale jobbies that run up and down the sand in front of the waves, jabbing their bills into the sand in search of food. They are found here year-round.

I love those little guys; they’re adorable! Thank you so much for your time, Dianna. I hope to see you out there this weekend.

The Festival runs all weekend Friday-Sunday with a very full daily event schedule. Visit the Shorebird Festival website for more information and a full itinerary of events.

photo courtesy of birdweb.org