Bird Fest Schedule 2022
THE INFO BELOW IS FOR 2022, THE 2023 SCHEDULE IS IN DEVELOPMENT.
For 20 years, the Wenatchee River Institute and community partners have been bringing the public together to celebrate the Leavenworth Spring Bird Festival. We are excited to welcome you back to North Central Washington for Bird Fest 2022!
So here’s what you need to know:
The Agenda
Bird Fest will be held May 19-22, 2022. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Bird Fest, Founding Trips from the first Bird Fest are marked on the schedule with an (*). Pre-festival trips will run May 16-19.
To register for art workshops, use these links:
- Watercolor Songbirds with Charlene Collins Freeman (virtual)
- Scientific Illustration Class: Drawing a Rose Petal with a Dew Drop (virtual)
- Sip and Paint
Registration is required for all trips and workshops. (Self guided walk at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery does not require registration.)
Find out more the Song Bird Concert by the Marlin Handbell Ringers here.
Transportation will not be provided this year. For driving trips, participants will drive separately from their meeting locations.
For 2022, all participants will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Click here to upload your proof of vaccination.
Any questions can be directed to programs@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org.
Please note: below is the schedule for Bird Fest 2022. The 2023 schedule is in development.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Bird Fest, Founding Trips from the first Bird Fest are marked on the schedule with an (*).
Pre-Festival Trips
These Monday through Thursday trips are ideal for beginning birders! Loaner binoculars will be available for use at each of these trips.
| Date | Time | Trip | Cost | Description |
| Monday, May 16 | 6:00AM-7:30AM | Intro to Birding at Horan | $8/$10 | Join Audubon Society members Merry Roy, Wendy Sharp, and Nolan Campbell for a first time introduction to common birds in the city of Wenatchee along the Columbia river. We expect to see waterbirds, raptors, and a variety of songbirds. We will meet at Walla Walla Point Park at the North parking lot near the bathrooms. This walk is especially designed for new birders and loaner binoculars will be provided. Suitable for all ages and families. We will walk on paved, level pathways up to 1 mile round trip at a leisurely pace, stopping often to view birds. It can be cool along the river, so wear layers and bring a small backpack to carry clothing and water. Group size: 12. |
| Tuesday, May 17 | 6:00PM-7:30PM | Intro to Birding at Horan | $8/$10 | Join Audubon Society member Susan Ballinger for a first time introduction to common birds in the city of Wenatchee along the Columbia River. We expect to see waterbirds, raptors, and a variety of songbirds. We will meet at Walla Walla Point Park at the North parking lot near the bathrooms. This walk is especially designed for new birders and loaner binoculars will be provided. Suitable for all ages and families. We will walk on paved, level pathways up to 1 mile round trip at a leisurely pace, stopping often to view birds. It can be cool along the river, so wear layers and bring a small backpack to carry clothing and water. Group size: 12. |
| Wednesday, May 18 | 6:00AM-7:30AM | Wednesday Wakeup Bird Walk | $8/$10 | Join local Audubon members Susan Ballinger, Elisa Lopez, and Jane Zanol for a short walk along a quiet paved road to overlook a shrubby creek corridor where dozens of colorful neotropical migrant birds arrive to nest. We will meet at the intersection of Number 2 Canyon and Skyline Drive and car caravan one mile and then walk. This walk is especially designed for new birders and loaner binoculars will be provided. Suitable for all ages. We will walk on a paved level roadside with little traffic at a leisurely pace stopping often to view birds. It can be cool in the canyon, so wear layers and bring a small backpack to carry clothing and water. Group size: 12. |
| Wednesday, May 18 | 8:00AM-9:30AM | eBird Survey at WRI | FREE | Join knowledgeable WRI staff on this birding survey around the WRI campus! All skill levels welcome. This is a great opportunity to learn about eBird, the largest biodiversity-related community science project in the world, and utilize it to record our observations of local wild birds. We will conduct four 15-minute stationary bird counts for an hour of birding. Total walking distance is ½ mile, over a gravel path with two moderate hills. Come prepared for the weather and bring your binoculars if you have them – if not, we can supply you with a pair for the survey! No registration is required. |
| Wednesday, May 18 | 1:30PM-5:00PM | Birding Walla Walla Point Park with Wenatchee Valley College | FREE | Join Wenatchee Valley College's spring quarter ornithology class field trip led by biology professor, Dr. Dan Stephens, and English professor and poet, Derek Sheffield, the 2022 Keynote speaker for this year's festival. Come to explore the bird diversity along the Columbia River and within the Horan Natural Area. Participants will be able to view birds through spotting scopes and with binoculars (loaners provided). This is the regular course field trip for the college, so you will join students who are also learning to identify common local birds. Open to beginners and to people of all levels of bird identification experience. Plan to walk a roundtrip distance of 4+ miles on flat trails. Registration is required for this free trip. Thank you to Wenatchee Valley College for sponsoring this trip! Meet in Wenatchee at Walla Walla Point Park near the bathrooms. Registrant limit: 15. |
| Wednesday, May 18 | 4:00PM-7:30PM | Tower Road | $8/$10 | Join Joe Veverka and Natalie Kahler for a 3.6 mile round trip bird hike with a 700-ft. climb and scenic views of Cashmere and the Enchantments. This trip is for birders of all skills levels- beginners encouraged! Loaner binoculars available for all. We expect to see grassland birds, nuthatches, chickadees, raptors, and Lewis's woodpeckers. Wear study shoes and suitable clothing for a good hike. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Meet at the pullout, about 200 yards up canyon from Mile Marker 1 along Nahahum Canyon Road. Group limit: 10. |
| Thursday, May 19 | 6:00AM-7:30AM | Intro to Birding at Porter's Pond (Morning) | $8/$10 | Join Wenatchee Naturalist Susan Ballinger and NCWAS members Natalie Kahler and Nolan Campell to view birds along the Columbia River and within the Cottonwood forests around Porter's Pond on the Apple Capital Loop Trail. This trip is for birders of all skills levels- beginners encouraged! Loaner binoculars available for use. We expect to see waterbirds, raptors, and a variety of songbirds. Wear study shoes and suitable clothing for walking 1.5 miles round-trip along the paved and dirt paths. It can be cool along to the river so wear several layers and bring a small backback to carry clothing and water. Meet at the 19th Street Trailhead parking lot at 140 19th Street NW, East Wenatchee. Group limit: 12. |
| Thursday, May 19 | 6:00PM-7:30PM | Intro to Birding at Porter's Pond (Evening) | $8/$10 | Join local Audubon Board members Mark Johnston and Richard Scranton to view birds along the Columbia River and within the Cottonwood forests around Porter's Pond on the Apple Capital Loop Trail. This trip is for birders of all skills levels- beginners encouraged! Loaner binoculars available for use. We expect to see waterbirds, raptors, and a variety of songbirds. Wear study shoes and suitable clothing for walking 1.5 miles round-trip along the paved and dirt paths. It can be cool along to the river so wear several layers and bring a small backback to carry clothing and water. Meet at the 19th Street Trailhead parking lot at 14019th Street NW, East Wenatchee. Group Limit 10 |
Thursday, May 19, 2022
| Thursday Trip/Workshop Name | Time | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Birds | 8:00am-12:00pm | $26/$30 | Travel by snowshoes (provided or bring your own) and accompany Walleye Cards, LLC wildlife biology Heather Murphy and Upper Basin Birder Heather Moravec as they adventure in snow-covered subalpine fir and Alaska yellow-cedar forests. Bird species you may see in these high mountains are: common raven, chestnut-backed chickadee, gray jay, Swainson's thrush, varied thrust, Townsend's warbler, and pine siskin. Carpool from Wenatchee River Institute. Group limit: 12. |
| Watercolor Songbirds with Charlene Collins Freeman | 5:00PM-7:00PM | $40/$46 | Let’s paint some songbirds in watercolors! Loose and light and full of the promise! Come join Charlene and Wenatchee River Institute on Zoom for an online art class and learn the basics for drawing birds and paint these four lovely songbirds with her. In the Zoom class, Charlene will share: - Drawing lesson basics to capture birds - Watercolor Demo Sparrow - Watercolor Demo Japanese Robin - Watercolor Demo Tufted Titmouse - Watercolor Demo Blue Tit A list of supplies, reference photos, and the zoom link will be emailed to participants after registration. |
Friday, May 20, 2022
| Friday Trip/Workshop Name | Time | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birding by Pontoon Boat* | 6:00AM-8:00AM | $21/$25 | Birders 8 years and older are welcome. Fish Lake, a spring-fed, 500-acre lake north of Leavenworth, is ringed by mixed coniferous forest and has a large marsh. Perhaps you’ll see Wilson’s phalaropes, Common yellowthroats, or a Sharp-shinned hawk diving on a flock of Violet-green swallows. Ospreys will be fishing. A pontoon boat is a perfect way to watch birds! Join wildlife biologist Don Youkey and Upper Basin Birders Tim and Mary Gallagher and John Zanol on this early morning water adventure. Optional meeting site: The Cove Resort on Fish Lake; please specify prior to the start of the trip. Group limit: 12. Thank you to the Cove Resort for providing boats! |
| Birding at Badger Mountain | 6:00AM-1:00PM | $26/$30 | Explore riparian, sagebrush steppe and dry ponderosa pine habitats on Badger Mountain. Trip includes a two-mile hike along an uneven trail. Be prepared for weather and chilly mornings; Badger Mt. is 4,100 feet in elevation! Bring binoculars, a backpack, water, lunch, sturdy footwear, hat and appropriate layered clothing. Meet in Wenatchee at the E. Penny Road Park and Ride. Group Limit: 10 |
| Birding Cashmere Canyons Preserve | 6:00AM-11:00AM | $26/$30 | Join Joe Veverka of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and Greg Harris on a field trip through fields and forests of a hidden private ranch near Cashmere. We will be driving making frequent stops to explore birdy areas on foot. Expect to see birds of grassland, shrub-steppe, and forest and spectacular fields of wildflowers. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing. Meet at Hay Canyon Road in Cashmere. Group Limit 10 |
| Wetland Birds | 6:00AM-3:00PM | $43/$50 | Join Upper Basin Birders Heather & Pat Murphy and Jane & John Zanol to monitor wetland bird habitats in the scenic Lake Wenatchee and White River area. Trip includes a Fish Lake pontoon boat survey, lunch at Tall Timber Ranch, and hiking along the White River trails. Expect off-trail travel. Roads are rutted and will need high clearance vehicles. Carpool from Wenatchee River Institute. Group Limit:12 |
| Birding Boot Camp | 6:00AM-2:00PM | FREE | Intermediate to Advanced Birders. Join wildlife biologist Janet Millard as she teaches the skills learned when she first started monitoring birds with the USFS. The trip to National Forest land will focus on voice, behavior, appearance and habitat: the 4 principles of bird ID. The objective is to use a holistic approach to enhance your birding skills and enjoyment. Must wear shoes with ankle support and carry appropriate gear including, day pack with lunch & water, layers for changing temperatures, raingear, and binoculars. Expect off-trail hiking on occasionally steep & uneven terrain. Meet and depart from Wenatchee River Institute. Group limit: 12 |
| Birding Horse Lake Reserve | 7:00AM-12:00PM | $26/$30 | Join Neal Hedges, retired CDLT Stewardship director and Susan Ballinger, CDLT Conservation Fellow on this 5-mile round trip birding and wildflower hike through Horse Lake Reserve. Learn about shrub-steppe birds and landscape at this protected property. Learn about conservation efforts restoring the landscape with native species to make better habitat for birds, wildlife, and abundant wildflowers. Hiking on—and off—trails so sturdy footwear recommended. Bring water and a snack. Group limit: 16 |
| Exploring the Entiat Waterfront | 7:30AM-11:30AM | $18/$21 | On this new trip, visit several spots on the Washington State Birding Trail. First walk along the riparian Entiatqua trail to spot neotropical migrating warblers and cliff swallows. Move on to the Entiat Riverfront Park to enjoy waterfowl, sparrows, warblers, golden and bald eagles. Your guides Elisa Lopez of Team Naturaleza and Heather Moravec of Kitsap Audubon offer expert, bilingual bird guiding for both beginning and more advanced birders. Loaner binoculars available. This trip will feature three walks of a mile or less on a level gravel trail, a paved park trail, and a hike around the Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center. Meet at the Penny Road Park and Ride in Wenatchee to carpool or car caravan to the Entiatqua trailhead. Bathrooms are available at the second and third stops on the trip. Group limit 12. |
| Fish Hatchery Bird Walk (self-led)* | 8:00AM - 3:00PM | FREE | Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery has over five miles of flat, easy trails that pass through a variety of pine forest, open meadow, and stream side habitats and are home to a variety of birds! Stop at the information table in front of the hatchery building and pick up your trail map and bird list to start you self-guided bird walk. Benches along the trail offer excellent bird viewing (especially in the morning hours) and make this a great activity for families or birders who appreciate resting spots along the way. Registration is not required for this self-led walk. 12790 Fish Hatchery Rd. |
| Local Habitat Restoration Projects Tour | 9:00AM-1:00PM | FREE | The Cascadia Conservation District and Cascade Fisheries are co-hosting an ecological habitat restoration-focused field trip. We’ll tour a diverse set of local restoration projects including riparian, floodplain, forest, and aquatic habitats currently at various phases of implementation. Topics of discussion will include an introduction to site selection, challenges and constraints of project implementation, and examples of work being done in Chelan County to restore important wildlife habitat. Attendees will have at least one opportunity to actively participate in restoration activities at project sites. Additional information for individuals interested in starting restoration projects on their own property will also be provided. Bring: Snacks, closed toe foot ware, long pants, plenty of water, sun protection, garden gloves (if you have them, we will supply some if needed). Meet: 9:00 AM Lower Sleepy Hollow Preserve. 1205 Lower Sunny Slope Rd Wenatchee. Back by 1 pm. Group Limit: 10. Registration is required for this trip. |
| Workshop: Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and Habitat Conservation | 2:00PM-3:00PM | $5 | Join Curt Soper, Executive Director of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT), as he presents the work of CDLT in central Washington. You will learn what Land Trusts do, how CDLT prioritizes land acquisitions and conservation easements for wildlife and the community, how birds and the birding community benefit, and what you can do to help your local Land Trust achieve conservation success! This presentation will take place in the Red Barn at WRI. |
| Scientific Illustration Class: Drawing a Rose Petal with a Dew Drop | 2:00PM-4:00PM | $48/$55 | Roses are one of the most popular flowers and bloom starting late spring throughout the summer. Rose petals are a great subject as they offer us delicate veins, elegant form, and a variety of gorgeous colors! In this two-hour class, learn how to draw a rose petal learning to see underlying colors and the various colored pencil techniques to build form and colors. We will also learn how to draw a dew drop on the petal. The dew drop will make your rose petal look even more attractive. Experienced botanical artist and teacher Crystal Shin will demonstrate as you draw along. Feel free to bring your rose petal or own photograph to draw, otherwise sample photographs will be provided. |
| Birding by River Raft | 2:00PM-4:00PM | $43/$50 | Birders 8+ years. Float with professional guides from Osprey Rafting and birder/naturalist guides and experience approximately four miles of gentle waters of Icicle Creek and the Wenatchee River. Consider bringing an extra pair of shoes. All trips meet at Wenatchee River Institute. Group limit 5 participants per raft, 2 rafts per trip. |
| Workshop: Landscaping for Birds and Wildlife | 3:00PM-4:00PM | $5 | Learn about the key elements that make a landscape hospitable to birds and other wildlife: food, water, and cover. The instructor will discuss why butterfly and moth caterpillars are a critical element in the food chain (hint: what do baby birds eat?) and how you can create a biodiverse habitat that supports these pollinators, other insects, birds, and all kinds of wildlife. The focus will be on using a variety of native plants to renovate an existing landscape or develop a new one, no matter what size your property is. Betsy Dudash is a Purdue-trained Landscape Horticulturist and Designer based in Wenatchee. A Wenatchee Naturalist, she serves on the board of Sustainable Wenatchee, teaches continuing education classes for Wenatchee Valley College, and writes occasional sustainability-focused blogs. Workshop will be held in the Sun Room at WRI. |
| Workshop: The World of Hummingbirds | 4:00PM-5:00PM | $5 | Join Bruce McCammon's presentation on Hummingbirds. He will open with a summary of hummingbird populations and locations globally, then filter down to the hummingbirds in the United States to show regional hummingbird hotspots. The program will then describe the four current hummingbird species in Washington State. There will be a short discussion of migrant vs. non-migrant. The program will transition to “Celebrate the Anna’s” and discuss range expansion and overwintering. The program will end with video and still images of successful nesting/fledging of two Anna’s nests in 2021. In the WRI Red Barn. |
| Evening Program: Malheur National Wildlife Refuge | 6:30PM-8:00PM | FREE | Birding the vast expanse of Harney County's 10,000+ sq. miles can be daunting. Which birds are where? and when? Dan Streiffert has been birding and photographing in Harney County for 15+ years. This presentation showcases his approach to taking advantage of particular birding 'routes' that cover the diverse landscape and discovers the array of birds and other wildlife available. Dan will share tips and tricks for seeing particular species at different times of the day or throughout the year. |
| Owl Prowl | 8:30PM-10:30PM | $5 | Join Janet Millard, local Forest Service wildlife biologist and owl researcher, to explore the night away from the city lights in search of owls. Meet at the USFS Ranger Station at 600 Sherbourne in Leavenworth. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a flashlight. Back by midnight. Group limit 10. |
Saturday, May 21, 2022
| Saturday Trips/Workshops | Time | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birding Mountain Home Preserve | 6:00AM–10:30AM | $26/$30 | Join Joe Veverka of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and Emily Jeffreys on a field trip through open forest and shrubby thickets along a ridge overlooking Leavenworth and the Icicle River. Expect a wonderful 3 mile hike at a leisurely birding pace. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing. Birders will meet at the Canyon Crest and Rat Creek Ridge Trailhead 3.5miles up (from jct with E. Leavenworth Rd) Mountain Home Rd. Group limit: 10. |
| Birds & Wine Leavenworth | 7:00AM–2:00PM | $34/$40 | Join NCW Audubon members Richard Scranton and Mark Johnston for a morning of birds near Leavenworth. We’ll visit a variety of habitats before finishing at a local winery to relax and share thoughts on the morning’s experiences (1 glass of wine or another beverage per person included). Bring snacks, liquids, and dress for the weather. Carpool from Bird Fest Central. Group limit: 10. |
| Birding at Horse Lake Reserve | 7:00AM-12:00PM | $26/$30 | Join Kitsap Audubon’s Heather Moravec and NCWAS’s Jane Zanol on this 4-mile birding and wildflower hike through Horse Lake Reserve. Learn about shrub-steppe birds and landscape at this Chelan-Douglas Land Trust property. Learn about conservation efforts restoring the landscape with native species to make better habitat for birds and wildlife Hiking on—and off—trails so sturdy footwear recommended. Bring water and a snack. Meet and carpool from the NW corner of Walmart parking lot in Wenatchee at 7 a.m. Group limit: 12. |
| Birding by Large Canoe | 7:00AM-10:00AM | $20/$23 | Birders 8 + years. Experience birding from a 29’ Langley canoe in and around the waters at the Confluence of the Wenatchee River and the Columbia River. The canoe will be managed by experienced people from the Wenatchee Row and Paddle Club while you help out with the paddling. A brief lesson and orientation will be provided prior to departure. No experience as a paddler is necessary. Be prepared for possible weather to maintain your own comfort. The Paddle Club provides life vests and paddles, but if you prefer your own, you are welcome to bring them. Bring binoculars, hat and appropriate layered clothing. Wear shoes or sandals that are water friendly in case we decide to “go ashore” on the trip. Masks may be required depending on Covid restrictions. Meet at the Confluence State Park near the boat launch; you will need a Discover Pass or pay for day parking. Group limit is 8, so sign up early |
| Fish Hatchery Bird Walk (self-led)* | 8:00AM-3:00PM | FREE | Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery has over five miles of flat, easy trails that pass through a variety of pine forest, open meadow, and stream side habitats and are home to a variety of birds! Stop at the information table in front of the hatchery building and pick up your trail map and bird list to start you self-guided bird walk. Benches along the trail offer excellent bird viewing (especially in the morning hours) and make this a great activity for families or birders who appreciate resting spots along the way. Registration is not required for this self-led walk. 12790 Fish Hatchery Rd. |
| Birding Blackbird Island* | 8:00AM-10:00AM | $8/$10 | Join Wenatchee River Institute Traveling Naturalist Coordinator and North Central Washington Audubon Society board member Tucker Jonas for an easy bird walk around Blackbird Island. Expect to see woodland and water species during this two hours of birding adjacent to downtown Leavenworth. Perfect for both beginning and experienced birders. Meet at Wenatchee River Institute at 8 a.m. Group limit: 15. |
| Neighborhood Bird Walk | 8:00AM-10:00AM | $12/$15 | One of the best local places to see many of the birds on your checklist is around the neighborhoods that make up Leavenworth. White-headed Woodpeckers drum on the telephone poles, Great Horned owlets squawk above roofs, Swallows drink water near construction sites, and Warblers cruise the shrubs. Join WRI Community Programs Manager Rachel Bishop on this walking bird tour as we listen and seek our neighborhood friends. Meet and depart from Wenatchee River Institute. Group limit: 12 |
| Naturalist Walk at Ski Hill | 8:00AM-12:00PM | $18/$21 | Join Methow Naturalist David Lukas to explore Leavenworth's Ski Hill trails. We will identify trees, plants, wildflowers along our hike through this transition zone between the east and west sides of the North Cascades. As we walk approximately three miles on good trails with moderate elevation gain and loss, we will look for signs of wildlife as well. This walk is an opportunity to spend time in nature with a naturalist who can answer your questions about flora and fauna. Meet at Wenatchee River Institute to carpool to Ski Hill. Bring a water bottle, hiking shoes, and your questions. Group limit 10. |
| Bike and Bird Wenatchee | 8:00AM-12:00PM | $12/$15 | Join trip leaders Lauren and Matt for an 11-mile bike ride on the paved Apple Capital Loop Trail. Trips in past years have spotted up to 46 species of birds, including Peregrine Falcon, Wilson’s Snipe, and Western Grebe—all from the trail!! The trail follows the Columbia River with expected stops along the Wenatchee River, Horan Nature area, and Porter’s Pond. We will make frequent stops to look at birds and will ride at a casual pace. The ride will begin at 8 a.m. at the parking lot directly behind the Pybus Public Market in Wenatchee. Bring your bike, water, and binoculars. Loaner binoculars will be available if needed. We welcome new birders on this relaxed bike ride and hope you’ll join us at Pybus for a beer or a coffee following the tour. Group limit: 10. |
| Birding the Americas* | 8:30AM-12:30PM | $12/$15 | Join the founding group of Team Naturaleza and current staff for a trek in the Icicle Creek valley exploring streamside habitats looking for neotropical migratory birds. Learn the language of birds that migrate from Mexico, Central America, and South America to North America. Must wear and carry appropriate gear: shoes or boots for off-trail walking in wet vegetation, day pack, water, extra clothes, hat and rain gear if poor weather. Meet at Wenatchee River Institute. Group limit: 10 (five spots reserved for Team Naturaleza). |
| Geologic Field Trip of Leavenworth* | 9:00AM-1:00PM | $20/$23 | Come join geologist Brent Cunderla and Upper Basin Birders Jeff and Eileen Hambleton to learn about the three main rock types (sedimentary, igneous & metamorphic) all of which occur with the vicinity of Leavenworth, Washington. Find out how these rock types formed and the geologic history of this this area. Learn about plate tectonics, exotic terranes, faulting and folding and how these played a major role in the geology we see today. Also learn about the glaciation of the Icicle Gorge and what some of the landforms that were left by the glaciers. Meet at Wenatchee River Institute. Group limit 20. |
| Bird Fest Family Day | 10:00AM-2:00PM | FREE | People of all ages are welcome to enjoy the Family Day vendor and exhibitor fair at the Wenatchee River Institute. Learn more about local organizations and businesses, browse and purchase local art, take part in numerous nature activities, and eat some yummy local food! Perfect for the whole family. No registration is required for this free event. |
| Wildflower Walk on Ski Hill* | 12:00PM-3:00PM | $8/$10 | Spend an afternoon walking the trails surrounding the historic Leavenworth Ski Hill. Discover the amazing diversity of flora and fauna found in an area of our State located between our wetter western and dryer eastern environments. Guides will focus on native plants with plant lists and instructional material available. Destinations will depend on weather and trail conditions. We'll review a little history about the CCC era lodge and the early internationally acclaimed ski jumps (1929 - 1974) held on Bakke Hill. We'll stop by the outdoor venue for the Leavenworth Summer Theater's production of Sound of Music. Meet at the Ski Hill parking lot at 11:45 pm for a walk of approximately 3 hours. Water bottles and layers suggested. Group Limit 8 |
| Wingspan Game | 2:00PM-3:00PM | FREE | Join Kitsap Audubon’s Heather Moravec for Wingspan, the popular board game that is enthralling bird enthusiasts across the country! Heather will be set up and ready to play a game, or she will be happy to answer questions about Wingspan—even the Europe or Oceania expansion packs. Spectators welcome. At Wenatchee River Institute. |
| Literary Birding | 3:00PM-4:00PM | FREE | In this special session of words for birds, come listen as local authors Cynthia Neely, Derek Sheffield, Jackie Haskins, and Heather Durham read their avian-inspired poetry and prose. Readings followed by book sales and signings with the authors, supported by A Book for All Seasons. On the lawn at Wenatchee River Institute. |
| Birders' BBQ | 5:00PM-6:30PM | $20 | Come join us to celebrate Bird Fest and enjoy a BBQ dinner. Socialize with your fellow birders before the Keynote Address begins and enjoy some live music by Corban Welter! Dinner from Cashmere's Country Boys BBQ will feature pulled pork, chicken, and assorted sides, with pie for dessert. It will cost $20 per person. The BBQ will take place on the lawn at Wenatchee River Institute. |
| Keynote - A Thousand Blended Notes: A Life of Birds and Poems | 7:00PM-8:30PM | FREE | Poet and birder Derek Sheffield will give a presentation on the unique and ancient connection that exists between poets and birds. This talk will combine personal observations with more general ones and include poems by Sheffield in addition to those by other contemporary poets such as Mary Oliver, Eamon Grennan, Drew Lanham, Naomi Shihab Nye, Gary Snyder, Jan Wallace, and Pattiann Rogers. The keynote will be held in the Red Barn at Wenatchee River Institute. Registration is not required. Supported by A Book For All Seasons. |
| Owl Prowl | 9:00PM | $5 | Join Janet Millard, local Forest Service wildlife biologist and owl researcher, to explore the night away from the city lights in search of owls. Meet at the USFS Ranger Station at 600 Sherbourne in Leavenworth. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a flashlight. Back by midnight. Group limit 10. |
Sunday, May 22, 2022
| Sunday Trip/Workshop Name | Time | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birding in the Coulee* | 6:00AM–4:00PM | $51/$60 | This birder’s marathon highlights some of the best birding sites in Douglas County, including the Palisades, Sagebrush Flats, Jameson Lake, and Douglas Creek. Look for shrub-steppe species with local ornithologist Dr. Dan Stephens. This field trip finds the highest number of bird species! Bring the essentials and either a sack lunch or cash only for a lunch stop. Meet and carpool from Wenatchee River Institute. . Group limit: 6 |
| Birding Cashmere Canyons Preserve | 6:00AM–11:00AM | $26/$30 | Join Joe Veverka of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and Greg Harris on a field trip through fields and forests of a hidden private ranch near Cashmere. We will be driving making frequent stops to explore birdy areas on foot. Expect to see birds of grassland, shrub-steppe, and forest and spectacular fields of wildflowers. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing. Meet at Hay Canyon Road in Cashmere. Group Limit 10 |
| Birding Mountain Home Preserve | 6:00AM-11:00AM | $26/$30 | Join Mark Johnston and Richard Scranton on a field trip through open forest and shrubby thickets along a ridge overlooking Leavenworth and the Icicle River. Expect a wonderful 3 mile hike at a leisurely birding pace. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing. Carpool from Wenatchee River Institute. Group limit: 10. |
| Birding Beebe Springs | 6:30AM-12:00PM | $20/$23 | Beebe Springs Natural Area is a former orchard, restored by WDFW to native riparian woodlands, along with some sagebrush steppe. We will bird an easy 2 mile gravel trail along the Columbia River and some inland channels, and cross Beebee Creek and a beaver pond. Expected sightings include Western Tanager, Lazali Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, Warblers, Sandpipers, Swallows, Raptors, possible Wood Duck, Virginia Rail, and Canyon or Rock Wren. We will leave from WRI on Sunday at 6:30, and return by 12:00 noon. This includes a one hour drive to and from Chelan. Group limit: 8. |
| Birding Number 2 Canyon | 6:30AM-9:30AM | $20/$23 | Join NCWAS and UBB birders John and Jane Zanol for a trip up Number 2 Canyon in Wenatchee. There are a variety of habitats up the Canyon road, including riparian, rock formations, and shrub-steppe. You may see neotropical migrants such as the Lazuli Bunting, Yellow Warbler, and Yellow-Breasted Chat. Last year’s trip saw Golden Eagles and nesting Bullock’s Orioles. Meet to carpool at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Number 2 Canyon Road at 6:30 AM. Minimal walking required as we will drive to several stops to bird. Group limit: 10. |
| Birding by River Raft | 7:30AM-9:30AM | $43/$50 | Birders 8+ years. Float with professional guides from Osprey Rafting and birder/naturalist guides and experience approximately four miles of gentle waters of Icicle Creek and the Wenatchee River. Consider bringing an extra pair of shoes. All trips meet at Wenatchee River Institute. Group limit 5 participants per raft, 2 rafts per trip. |
| Birding the Americas - Shrub Steppe | 7:30AM-10:00AM | $12/$15 | Join Team Naturaleza's Elisa Lopez and NCWAS' Susan Ballinger for a short walk along a quiet paved road to overlook a shrubby creek corridor where dozens of colorful neotropical migrant birds have recently arrived from Mexico and Central America to nest. This walk will be bilingual with Spanish and English. We will meet at the intersection of Number 2 Canyon and Skyline Drive and car caravan one mile and then walk. This walk is especially designed for new birders and loaner binoculars will be provided. Suitable for all ages. We will walk on a paved level roadside with little traffic at a leisurely pace stopping often to view birds. Group limit: 16 (8 spots reserved for Team Naturaleza participants). |
| Birds of Farm, Fields and Woods | 8:00AM–11:00AM | $18/$21 | Sunitsch Canyon is a hidden gem, only 5 miles from Leavenworth. Join Andrew Holm and Willy Stockman of Tierra Learning Center in search of a variety of birds in the diverse habitats this special and beautiful location has to offer. Bring sturdy shoes, binoculars, jacket, rain gear, and water. Carpool from Wenatchee River Institute. Group Limit: 6 |
| Birding Blewett Pass | 8:00AM-12:00PM | $26/$30 | Join NCW Audubon’s Denise Bayuszik and WDFW's Emily Jeffries to explore Blewett Pass habitats hosting a wide variety of birds. We will view as many species as possible in several habitats up the Pass. Bring snacks, liquids, and dress for the weather. Meet at the Park & Ride at the intersection of Highways 2 and 97 (The Big Y). Group limit: 10 |
| Bird Friendly Properties Tour (Wenatchee) | 9:00AM-12:00PM | $18/$21 | If you’d like more birds to visit your property, you can increase the odds by making sure it includes the plants and other features that they need to thrive. We’ll visit 3 very different properties in Wenatchee, including a mature landscape full of native plants, a recently-renovated property with lots of habitat, and a small, turfless urban front yard. Our goal is to educate and inspire you to evaluate your own landscape as a bird-friendly habitat. Kids welcome! Meet at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Number 2 Canyon Road in Wenatchee. (We’ll car caravan to each location.) Group limit: 20.Si desea que más pájaros visiten su jardín, puede aumentar las probabilidades asegurándose de que incluye las plantas y otras características que necesitan para prosperar. Visitaremos 3 propiedades muy diferentes en Wenatchee, que incluyen un paisaje maduro lleno de plantas autóctonas, una propiedad recientemente renovada con mucho hábitat y un pequeño jardín urbano sin césped. Nuestro objetivo es educarlo e inspirarlo para que evalúe su propio jardín como un hábitat favorable a los pájaros. ¡Niños bienvenidos! Reúnase en la intersección de Skyline Drive y Number 2 Canyon Road en Wenatchee. (Llevaremos una caravana de automóviles a cada lugar). Límite de grupo: 20. |
| Hike and Draw Mountain Home | 8:00AM-1:00PM | $38/$45 | Join Wildlife Biologist and Artist Heather Wallis Murphy for hiking and drawing at beautiful Mountain Home Ridge. Sack lunches provided. Wear sturdy footwear to walk on good trails 2-4 miles. Bring your own journal; instructor will supply watercolors, drawing pencils, and Art of Nature Journaling worksheets. Group limit 10. Age limit 16+. |
| Sip & Paint | 2:00PM-4:00PM | $30 | In celebration of Spring Bird fest, we are painting a “Good Morning Chickadee” painting this year! Acrylic painting on an 11x14” canvas. All supplies and step by step guided instruction provided. WRI Red Barn. |
| Songbird Concert* | 2:00PM | Donation | The Marlin Handbell Ringers and friends celebrate community and spring in a Bird Fest tradition! This year, the Handbell Ringers will be joined by local musicians yet to be announced! Admission by donation. Marlinhandbellringers.com |
Health & Safety Note
We will continue to follow state and local COVID guidance.
Trip participants will need to fill out a daily COVID screening, including questions about COVID symptoms and exposure and temperature.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your registration 30 days out, you will receive an 80 percent refund; less than 30 days out, a 50 percent refund; and less than two weeks out, no refund will be given. If we are able to fill your space with someone from the waitlist, or if you know someone who would like to take your place, you will receive a full refund minus a 10 percent processing fee.
If you cancel your registration due to COVID symptoms, known COVID exposure, or a positive diagnosis for COVID, you will receive a full refund minus a 10 percent processing fee.
Although we rarely need to do so, we reserve the right to cancel a program. In this case you will receive a full refund.
Membership fees are non-refundable.
As a nonprofit organization, event registrations are incredibly important to us. We strive to keep the cost of Bird Fest and other WRI programming low. In the event that you are unable to attend, we hope you will consider donating your registration fees to support Wenatchee River Institute programs.
