Come bird with us, discovering the natural beauty and wonders of North Central Washington!
Celebrate the return of migratory birds in the midst of peak wildflower season. Enjoy the excitement of birding field trips and workshops, and take part in speaker events, music, visual arts, picnics, and activities for all ages and abilities. All of this is happening in beautiful Leavenworth, WA and throughout the Wenatchee River Valley. Bird Fest happens in association with World Migratory Bird Day in partnership with North Central Washington Audubon Society. Bird Fest contributes a list of all birds seen during the festival to eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity-related community science project.
Join us for the 2026 Bird Fest Keynote Address with Neil Paprocki.
This is a HYBRID event. You may join us in the Wenatchee River Institute’s Red Barn or livestream virtually. Registration is required for this event.
Saturday, May 16, 7:00pm-8:30pm. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Ticket price: $20 for in-person, or $10 for virtual.
Wings Over Washington: Tracking the Movements of Two Iconic Hawk Species
Join us for an exhilarating journey into the skies of Washington state and beyond as we explore the fascinating world of two iconic hawk species: the Red-tailed Hawk and the Rough-legged Hawk. In “Wings Over Washington,” we’ll delve into their year-round movement ecology, revealing remarkable insights gained from GPS transmitters placed on the birds themselves. From the vast Arctic tundra to Washington’s diverse landscapes, discover how these magnificent birds navigate their environments and adapt to seasonal changes via migratory behavior, all tracked through cutting-edge technology. Hear captivating tales of individual hawks tracked in real-time, revealing the challenges they face and strategies they employ to survive. Whether you’re a birdwatching enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply curious about wildlife, this talk promises to inspire and inform. Come and experience the thrill of raptor migration as we uncover the secret lives of these incredible hawks!
Neil Paprocki, Ph.D., is a raptor ecologist whose research focuses on avian movement ecology, migration, and the effects of environmental change on birds of prey. He lives in Wenatchee, WA and is currently a postdoctoral researcher affiliated with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the University of Idaho, where his work integrates GPS tracking, long-term monitoring, and comparative migration theory. Neil has nearly 20 years of experience studying raptors across North America and has published extensively on Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and other wide-ranging species. He is a passionate public speaker having delivered dozens of engaging talks at national and international public and professional scientific events.
Registration for the Keynote, as well as field trips, will open on March 25, 2026.
