Oregon Drift

Birds like to gather in large groups to feed, socialize, and display their talents.

Birders do too, so they flock to annual birding festivals. However, many of these festivals happen in the fall and spring, when birders — whose fledglings still are in the nest can’t attend.

Around here, we have one of the few summer birding festivals: the Oregon Shorebird Festival, which will be held August 27-29 at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology in Charleston. Although this isn’t the best time of year to see exotic species, the festival is a fun way for anyone to learn more about birding.

Now in its 24th year, the Oregon Shorebird Festival typically draws 60-100 birders from all over the country.

On land, participants can tour the Bay Area’s best birding sites, including North Spit, Pony Slough, and Millicoma Marsh, or visit Bandon Marsh and New River. A canoe trip on South Slough will be offered. In addition, bird guide Greg Gillson will lead an ocean birding trip on the Betty Kay.

Evenings will feature speakers Ram Papish, a biologist and wildlife artist, and Peter Moore, a biologist who will talk about efforts to save the Chatham Island oystercatcher in New Zealand.

The Oregon Shorebird Festival’s Web site includes a list of species that will be in the area at this time.

A registration fee of $25 per person or $45 per family covers the evening programs and land-based trips; boat trips cost extra. There’s also an additional charge for a Saturday night seafood banquet that some birders regard as the highlight of the weekend. Housing is available in the OIMB dorms.

For more information, visit the festival Website at www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/shorebirdfestival.htm.

By Gail Elber