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Most of the photos in slide show are by Rick Moyer.
Each spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop to rest and feed along the Washington Coast and in the Grays Harbor estuary during their migration northward. Coming from as far south as Argentina, these Arctic-bound shorebirds are among the world's greatest migrants. Some birds travel over 15,000 miles round trip! The concentration of birds during spring migration offers people a great chance to view a number of shorebird species. With luck you will also see the birds fly together in beautiful formation "murmurations" while trying to escape a Peregrine Falcon.
Shorebird is the name given to the group of birds that are usually found along the shoreline. They include plovers, turnstones, sandpipers, dowitchers, and others. Some shorebirds can be found in Grays Harbor County all year; others only during their migration.
The shorebird spectacle happens every year at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and in other parts of the County. People from around the world come to view this event of hemispheric importance. The Festival works to bring people together for this incredible natural phenomenon.
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Updates
Next Festival dates: May 1-3, 2026 May 1st high tide @ 2:16 pm (8.73 ft) May 2nd high tide @ 2:57 pm (8.7 ft) May 3rd high tide @ 3:38 pm (8.57 ft) Donations to the shorebird education program are necessary and gratefully received through this website. Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge is open Sunrise to Sunset, 7 Days a week, and we invite you to enjoy our year-round trail.
Should you have questions, concerns, or comments, please contact us using the contact form on this website. Just an FYI - the 2026 Shorebird & Nature Festival will be May 1 - 3, 2026 May 1st high tide @ 2:16 pm (8.73 ft) May 2nd high tide @ 2:57 pm (8.7 ft) May 3rd high tide @ 3:38 pm (8.57 ft) |
