Olympic BirdFest 2026 isn’t until spring, but registration has opened and, according to organizers, programs fill up fast.

Birding enthusiasts are encouraged to register promptly at OlympicBirdFest.org. A full schedule can be found there for the four-day event, which will run Thursday-Sunday, April 16-19.

The Olympic BirdFest is an annual celebration of the rich birding opportunities on the North Olympic Peninsula. Co-sponsored by the Dungeness River Nature Center, the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the festival offers participants the chance to explore diverse habitats and observe a wide variety of bird species. All proceeds support the educational programs of the Dungeness River Nature Center.

The event offers diverse field trips led by experienced birders, exploring habitats such as Sequim Bay, Port Angeles Harbor, Dungeness Bay, Ediz Hook, and the Elwha River. Participants will have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of resident and migratory birds along the coastlines of the Olympic Peninsula.

Some other event highlights include art and photography workshops, and a post-event excursion to the Makah Reservation at Neah Bay, totem tours with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and a Saturday night banquet featuring keynote speaker and award-winning author Maria Mudd Ruth with a special preview of her new book “The Bird with Flaming Red Feet.”

The buffet dinner with dessert will take place at the Dungeness River Nature Center’s Rainshadow Hall.

Photo courtesy Dungeness River Nature Center/ Participants of Olympic BirdFest 2026 will be able to observe a wide variety of resident and migratory birds through excursions with experienced guides. The festival takes places Thursday-Sunday, April 16-19.