Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival

Plan to attend the next festival: May 1 - 3, 2026.

2026 Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival
Tentative Schedule of Events (please watch for changes)

Registration is now OPEN

Date	High Tide	Best Viewing Times
Friday, May 1	2:16 p.m.	11:16 a.m. - 5:16 p.m.
Saturday, May 2	2:57 p.m.	11:57 a.m. – 5:57 p.m.
Sunday, May 3	3:38 p.m.	12:38 p.m. – 6:38 p.m.

A shuttle bus is available between Hoquiam Middle School (200 Spencer St.,
Hoquiam) and the beginning of the Sandpiper Trail at Grays Harbor National
Wildlife Refuge on Saturday (9am to 4:30pm) and Sunday (9:00am to 4:00pm).
The ride takes approximately 15 minutes.

The FREE classes listed below are first come, first served. Seating is limited. These are not listed on our online registration form.

Friday, 1 May 2026
11:16 am - 5:16 pm          Best Shorebird Viewing at Grays Harbor NWR (high tide @ 2:16 pm)

7am - 3 pm                        Festival Information and Registration at Grays Harbor NWR on Airport Way

7:30 am - 3:30 pm            Guided Tour: Southern Estuary, stopping at Tokeland, Westport,
                                            and Bottle Beach, Guided by Bruce LaBar & Marcus Roening
                                            Advance Registration Required, $50

8 am - 3 pm                      Field Trip to Ocean Shores $40 Rob Chrisler, Ken Brown

8:30 am - 10:30 am         Beginner Bird Walk at Bottle Beach State Park (WA State Parks) Free TBD

4 pm - 6:30 pm                Festival Information and Registration at Hoquiam Middle School

7:30 pm - 9 pm                 Keynote Speaker: Robert Steelquist, Hoquiam High School Theater
                                           $20 (See registration form)

Saturday, 2 May 2026
11:57 am - 5:57 pm         Best Shorebird Viewing at Grays Harbor NWR (high tide @ 2:57 pm)

7:30 am - 5 pm                 Festival Information and Registration at Hoquiam Middle School

8:30 am - 3:30 pm           Field Trip to Ocean Shores $40 TBD

9 am - 4:30 pm                Free Shuttles between Hoquiam Middle School and Grays Harbor NWR

9am - 5 pm                      Birding Marketplace with Vendors and Exhibitors

9 am - 5 pm                      Nature Fun Fair


10 am - 11 am

11 am - 12 pm                  Salmonberry Band plays in Marketplace

12 pm - 1 pm                    Presentation: Shorebird for Beginners Free David Slater

1:30 pm - 4 pm                 Shorebird Identification - Guided Walk Free David Slater

1 pm - 2 pm

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm           LIVE BIRDS! with John Prucich, "the Falconer"
                                         Hoquiam Middle School gymnasium, Free
2 pm - 3  pm

3 pm - 4 pm

Saturday Fundraiser Dinner & Speaker

5:30 – 7 pm      Social Mixer (No host bar) & Tentative Silent Auction
                           Grays Harbor Historical Seaport
                           500 N Custer St, Aberdeen.
                           No-host bar

7 - 9 pm             Festival Fundraising Dinner
                           & Speaker: Allison Anholt
                           Catered by Kit’s Catering
                           Grays Harbor Historical Seaport
                           500 N Custer St, Aberdeen
                           Advance Registration Required, $45

8 - 9 pm             Guest speaker only
                           Grays Harbor Historical Seaport
                           500 N Custer St, Aberdeen.
                           Fee: $20 at the door or by advance registration

Sunday, 3 May 2026
12:38 pm - 6:38 pm        Best Shorebird Viewing at Grays Harbor NWR (high tide @ 3:38 pm)
8 am - 4 pm                      Information and Registration at Hoquiam Middle School

8 am - 3 pm                     Field Trip to Tokeland, Grayland, and Westport $50 Bruce LaBar,
                                         Marcus Roening
8 am - 3 pm                    Field Trip to Ocean Shores $40 Mary O'Neil
9 am - 4 pm                    Free Shuttles between Hoquiam Middle School and Grays Harbor NWR
9 am - 4 pm                    Shorebird Festival Fun Fair Activities and crafts, vendors, exhibitors,
                                         speakers, information, Hoquiam Middle School gymnasium, Free
9 am - 4 pm                    Nature Fun Fair

9:30 am - 11:30 am       LIVE BIRDS! with John Prucich, "the Falconer"
                                         Hoquiam Middle School gymnasium, Free
11 am - 4 pm                   Mudflat Meals at Nature Fun Fair
12 pm - 1 pm                   Presentation: Shorebirds for Beginners Free Teal Waterstrat
              
1:30 pm - 4 pm                Guided Walk: Shorebird Identification Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge.
                                          Meet at Sandpiper Trail. Bring scopes and binoculars, if you have them.
                                          Guide: Teal Waterstrat, Free
1 pm - 2 pm                     Poster Contest Awards Ceremony Presenter: Cheyenne Autin,
                                          Shorebird Education Program Hoquiam Middle School gymnasium, Free
2 pm - 3 pm
3 pm - 4 pm

A shuttle bus is available between Hoquiam Middle School (200 Spencer St., Hoquiam) and the beginning of the Sandpiper Trail at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on Saturday 9 am - 4:30 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes. (Suggested donation $1 per ride)