Birders should plan ahead for Shorebird Festival

By Chester Allen | The Olympian • Published March 11, 2009

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•What: Now is the time to start planning for the world-famous Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival, which is April 24 through 26 this year. And right now is a great time to visit festival birding spots, such as the Sandpiper Trail at Bowerman Basin, to see early birds.

And there are birds � hundreds of thousands of shorebirds � to see from mid-March through May. The massive shorebird migration from wintering grounds in South America, Central America and the southern United States funnels millions of birds through Grays Harbor mudflats, beaches and marshes. The birds � sandpipers, dowitchers, dunlins, plovers and more � stop at the huge Grays Harbor Bay and beaches to feed and prepare for the next leg of their long journey to Arctic breeding grounds.

Some of these birds fly 15,000 miles during this migration, which is one of the planet's great wildlife spectacles. Birders see huge flocks of shorebirds scuttle across mudflats � and take to the air in massive flocks that wheel and dive in the air.

Birders from all over the world journey to Grays Harbor to spot birds, take classes and seminars, go on guided field trips and hobnob with fellow birding addicts.

•Headquarters and reservations: This year, Hoquiam High School is the headquarters for the shorebird festival. The festival itself offers free and pay-to-play field trips to great birding spots at the Bowerman Basin section of the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Westport, Point Grenville, Tokeland, Grayland, Ocean Shores and other coastal beach and Grays Harbor spots.

Birders should sign up now for limited spots on field trips. Some of the trips, such as guided walks at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, are free. Others, such as a shorebird class for beginners are $15, while longer trips, such as guided jaunts to Point Grenville and the Westport, Tokeland and Grayland loop, run from $30 to $35. These trips fill up very fast! Birders should log onto www.shorebirdfestival.com or call 1-800-303-8498.

•Lodging: Many birders like to stay close to festival headquarters � the site of many seminars, lectures and get-togethers � during the entire weekend. The best way to find hotel and motel rooms is to call 1-800-321-1924, 1-800-345-6223 or 1-800-762-3224. Birders fill up hotels and motels from Aberdeen through Hoquiam, Westport, Ocean Shores and other spots, so it's a good idea to make reservations now.

•A Good Spot: The Sandpiper Trail at Bowerman Basin near Hoquiam is Shorebird Central. A nice boardwalk takes visitors out to a sprawling Grays Harbor mudflat and marsh � and the birds are there.

The best birding is from two hours before high tide to two hours after high tide, as high water pushes the birds closer to the boardwalk. Birders will see thousands of birds digging their long bills into the gooey mud in search of tiny crabs, shrimp and other marine life.

•Directions: To reach Bowerman Basin � and the Sandpiper Trail � from Hoquiam, take state Route 109 toward Ocean Shores. Turn left on Paulson Road and park near the airport. There is a short hike on level terrain to the Sandpiper Trail boardwalk. People who use wheelchairs can navigate this trail with ease.

•Equipment: Bring binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras equipped with telephoto lenses, rain gear, warm clothes, food and water.

•More information: Visit www.shorebirdfestival.com