Festival of the Birds

Location: Sellwood Park, just south of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

Lazuli Bunting - Jim Cruce

A welcome sign of spring, Portland’s migratory birds are arriving in the northwest from their tropical wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. The Festival invites families and bird lovers to enjoy a day outdoors and learn about birds through a variety of fun activities such as: Guided bird walks, Live music and stories, Nature photography field trips, Kids’ games and art activities, Live birds from Portland Audubon, and Exhibits about the birds of Portland.

Join U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the City of Portland and Portland Audubon for a Celebration of Migratory Birds.

Common Yellowthroat - Jim Cruce

Oaks Bottom and other natural areas in Portland are important to migrating birds for nesting, wintering, resting and re-fueling. Come and see birds hailing from as far away as Argentina in Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, the City of Portland’s first designated Migratory Bird Park.

This is a free festival for the whole family to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. No registration is required.

• Attend the Early-Bird Bird Walk at 7:30 a.m. Registration required: Call 503-823-2525 or go to www.portlandparks.org and click on recreation tab, choose class #345264.
  

• Guided Bird Walks on the ½ hour from 9 am – 2 pm.  Compare this year’s sightings with bird appearances in earlier years.
• Family Activities, make bird feeders for your mother’s garden, run as fast as birds fly in Bird Olympics, create bird pictures using forms from NW Native American art, send a bird postcard to schools along the Pacific Flyway, or choose from a myriad of other activities.
• Storytelling and Live Music by local storytellers and musicians. Come hear songs and stories about migratory birds in the Portland area. 
• Education Birds from Audubon Society of Portland’s Wildlife Care Center.  See up close a Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, Northern Spotted Owl, American Kestrel, Turkey Vulture and Common Raven.
• Our Partners. Visit with local partners of the Migratory Bird Treaty Program and learn about other locations to visit and enjoy birds.
• Look for our Nature Store booth. 

For more information, contact:

Sue Thomas or Janice Jenkins at 503-823-3601

Email: birds@portlandoregon.gov

Visit: www.portlandmigratorybirds.org