The Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, put on by the Wenatchee River Institute and North Central Washington Audubon Society, occurs every 3rd weekend in May. Planning is underway and we can't wait to see you all.

The annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest promotes conservation through educational and recreational activities about birds, wildlife, and their environments.

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. 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. Bird Fest contributes a list of all birds seen during the festival to eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity-related community science project.

Schedule:

Friday, May 16, 2025

Early Morning in Olalla Canyon
Friday, May 16

6:00am - 11:00am | $30

Join local ornithologist Neil Paprocki for a ~3 mile round trip birding hike up a beautiful local canyon to a ridge top. The wildflowers in Olalla Canyon are a locally famous spring destination for many; join them during Bird Fest for spectacular hillsides of Arrowleaf Balsamroot and other colorful spring wildflower species.  You may spot a Golden Eagle soaring over the ridgeline on this trip, as well as Lewis's Woodpeckers and Western Bluebirds in the Ponderosa pines.   

Meeting location: Big Y Park and Ride, 9490 Jeske Rd, Peshastin, WA 98847 to carpool
Leader: Neil Paproki and Tucker Jonas
Trail: ~3 miles round trip, expect moderate elevation gain of 500’ on this dirt trail that rises to a spectacular ridge view.  Hiking shoes or boots recommended.
Capacity: 12 people

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^ Denotes a trip that is more physically accessible than others. These trips and events have lower physical activity requirements, and might be suitable for those with mobility issues or people who want less-strenuous activities. Please read the trip description for more details and reach out to us via phone or email if you'd like to know more about accessibility of any of our trips
*Denotes a trip that is more physically difficult than others. This could be due to the walking mileage, elevation gain, trip length, or a combination of factors. Please read the description and reach out if you need any clarification. Difficulty references physical activity of the trip - birders of all birding skill levels are welcome on any Bird Fest trip. 
+ Denotes a trip that does not require registration and is free. Participants can join day of!