Ocean Shores is for the birds, literally. This time of year, thousands of shorebirds stop along our shores to rest and feed all around Grays Harbor during their migration. We are quite famous for our birds here in Ocean Shores. The Snowy Owl brought worldwide attention to one of our best kept secrets, Damon Point. Year-round visitors explore the estuaries and sanctuaries photographing, sketching and making notes.
The area is so well known for birding an entire event has been created around the spring migration. The Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival will take place May 5-7, and it has something for birders of every age and interest level. There are speakers and artists. Lectures and tours. Some great activities for the kids.
On Saturday, May 6, make cool bird masks in the Fun Fair area from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or get your feathers ready and bring your own bird or nature related costume for the parade and join in the “Procession of the Shorebirds” in front of Hoquiam High School at 2 p.m. Want to get your fitness on for the birds? Festival Run for the Birds Saturday starting at Hoquiam City Hall, 609 8th Street. Registration for the Run begins at 9 a.m. and the run starts at 10.
There is a tour in Ocean Shores on Friday and Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. The tour will visit a variety of habitats and upwards of 60 species may be found. Highlights on this trip include: Semipalmated Plover, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Sanderling, Wandering Tattler, Surfbird, and Rock Sandpiper.
Check on the official Festival website for more information on weekend highlights and schedules. http://www.shorebirdfestival.com/
Want to be a backyard birder? How about making a birdfeeder to attract visitors to your own sanctuary? (well, as long as you don’t have cats I guess it could be a sanctuary) The type of bird you attract will depend on your location, the type of food you offer, and the feeders you have.
Keep a yard list of birds you see in your yard. You will be amazed at different types you will get stopping by. Take a trip down to the Ocean Shores Library or the Interpretive Center and get a family friendly book on birding. There are always some great books at the Anchor Thrift Store as well. There is even an app you can download that will identify your bird picture, and record what you see. The National Audubon Society even has an app. Or just grab a small sketch book and be your own app.
Get the kids involved in some upcycling and make your bird feeders out of old paper towel rolls smeared with peanut butter and rolled in bird seed then hung by a string in a tree or fence. Make a pair of “binoculars” by gluing or taping empty TP tubes together and decorating. Pack a lunch, dress for the outdoors and go for your very own birding adventure right here, “On the Beach.”
