Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival

Start planning to attend the next festival: April 25 - 27, 2025

Best Shorebird Viewing Times 2025
at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge

At Grays Harbor NWR, the recommended time to view shorebirds is during the period about 3 hours before to 3 hours after high tide. During this time, birds are closer and more concentrated for better viewing from the Sandpiper Trail; however, weather conditions (wind and storms) and other factors can greatly alter tides in Grays Harbor so good shorebird viewing can be unpredictable. The peak in migration typically occurs the last week in April and early May. Western sandpipers typically reach peak abundance the latter half of April.

Generally high tides at or near 8-8.5' are good for consolidating shorebirds into limited area of mud flat and make viewing easier. However, higher water levels (predicted or not) cause water to cover more mud. So that means go early to see them before water covers the mudflat and stay until the tide recedes to see the birds come back and resume feeding.

Below is a list of best viewing times for Spring 2025, based on the time of Aberdeen's high tide. Download this chart here.

Refuge staff, partners, and volunteers will be on the Sandpiper Trail throughout the days of April 25, 26, & 27, 2025

Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset.

Tide charts are from USHarbors.