PUGET SOUND BIRD FEST IN EDMONDS
September 5-7, 2014
Keynote Speaker - Tony Angell
Master Artist and Naturalist
Puget Sound Bird Fest in Edmonds, Washington is a yearly celebration of birds and nature found on the beautiful shores of Puget Sound. It is listed as one of Seattle's best events on events12.com, the web site of events currently over 12 months in major cities. Be sure not to miss our next festival in 2014 to be held on the weekend of September 5-7!
Our three-day event includes speakers, guided walks, land and water-based field trips, exhibits, and educational activities for children and adults. See more information about our festival program activities and event scheduling. Registration for field trips starts August 1.
Edmonds - A Great Place for Birding Year-Round
Photo by Bill Anderson
Fall shorebird migration is shaping up to be good at the Edmonds marsh. Bright sunny days have made viewing and identification somewhat challenging. Nevertheless, the expected Least and Western Sandpipers have been supplemented by several field sitings of Pectoral Sandpipers (code 3), an unprecedented (for the marsh) nine Long-billed Dowitchers (code 3) the other evening, several Greater Yellowlegs (code 3), and one late identification of a Baird's Sandpiper (code 3) from a photograph. This morning brought much better viewing conditions because of the overcast sky. We had a lone Short-billed Dowitcher (code 4) feeding and walking around long enough that we could detect its much more slender form and absence of the hump on the back of Long-billed. The last Short-billed Dowitcher was seen August 15, 2013. This morning we also saw a Spotted Sandpiper (code 3) in the beginnings of its molt to basic plumage.
The Heermann's Gulls have returned to the waterfront in good numbers. There appear to be over 200 of them. Rhinoceros Auklets are returning to feed in Edmonds waters. There were at least 30 out yesterday afternoon. I did a low tide walk from Olympic Beach to the Shell Creek beach on July 14th. It was notable for no shorebirds but there were good numbers of Heermann's and California Gulls at the creek mouth, two Ospreys, and a Brandt's Cormorant (code 3) flyby. An ebird checklist from Charlie Wright for July 16th adds Parasitic Jaeger (code 3) and Red-necked Phalarope (code 3) to our year count, which is at 160.
Carol Riddell
Edmonds, Wa
Excerpted from Tweeters Digest, July 18
Edmonds Welcomes Birders From Everywhere
Picturesque Edmonds is distinctive for a rich array of shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes and bistros that cater to arts and festivals. Many eateries located in the center of town and along the beachfront are all within walkin distance of our festival venue. Within driving distance, even more dining experiences are offered in Edmonds' neighborhoods of Firdale Village, Five Corners, Perrinville, and Westgate, and in Edmonds' International District along Highway 99. Parking is free on Edmonds' streets and in public parking lots but some in downtown have a three-hour limit. The Bird Fest is eagerly anticipated by Edmonds' locals, so you can always expect to see bonus activities and entertainments around town, with some listed on our event map.
To join a committee or be a volunteer on the weekend of The Bird Fest, apply here. Puget Sound Bird Fest is organized by the City of Edmonds Parks & Recreation and Economic Development Departments.
Join the Birdwatchers Annual Flock to Edmonds
View our web site on your smart phone for our festival schedule of events — available each July for the next upcoming festival program
We invite you to increase your awareness of birds that spend all or part of their lives in the Puget Sound region, and especially in the environs of Edmonds. Observe birds in their native habitats, and learn how to preserve or restore habitats for birds and other wildlife in urban and suburban areas through the informative program offered annually at The Puget Sound Bird Fest of Edmonds.
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Birds of Edmonds, Washington
A Complete Checklist
Compiled and donated to the City of Edmonds by Ted Peterson, and is the result of 14 years of observations. It includes birds seen in all types of habitats within the city limits of Edmonds, Washington. The best places with public access to look for birds are the Edmonds Marsh, parks on the Puget Sound shoreline, the Public Fishing Pier, and Yost Memorial Park. See the Great Washington State Birding Trail – Cascades Loop for more great birding sites near Edmonds.
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Festival Map & Location
Downloadable Map
Check out our most recent Puget Sound Bird Fest Event Map.
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Support Bird Fest by wearing our exquisite bird pendant art. Editions for 2012 and 2013 festivals are available for purchase.
Best Birding Practices
Learn The Pro's Best Secrets
Birders should keep an appropriate distance from all species they observe. Stay on marked trails and avoid entering restricted areas, no matter how tempting it may be to venture closer to a bird. Disturbing a bird’s feeding area or nesting sites can cause unhealthy stress and fear that may drive the bird away, not only out of range of the birder’s observations but permanently forcing the bird to find a safer, less disturbed habitat where it will not be able to be observed.
Link up with the City of Edmonds
Steering Committee
The Puget Sound Bird Fest Steering Committee is composed of the following members of the community and City of Edmonds staff:
Cindi Cruz - City of Edmonds, Community Services & Economic Development
Sally Lider - Environmental Education Coordinator, City of Edmonds
Susie Schaefer - Program Chair, Pilchuck Audubon Society