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:
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.
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
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)
