Bird Is The Word At The Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival

April 19-21, 2024

Join us for a three-day extravaganza celebrating the incredible spring bird and wildlife migrations along the breathtaking Pacific Flyway! This annual event benefits the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) nonprofit mission to protect and sustain the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of West Marin (coastal Marin County). There is something for everyone in your brood, with trips and activities for various ages and experience levels.

Point Reyes National Seashore provides the main backdrop for our festival, which offers some of the finest birding in the United States with over 70,000 acres of habitat including estuaries, grasslands, coastal scrub, and forest with a strong influence from the Pacific Ocean. We're talking about one of the only ten federally protected seashores in the entire United States! Imagine the Pacific Flyway, the mighty Pacific Ocean, and a myriad of influences converging into the perfect backdrop for an unparalleled birding and wildlife viewing experience.

Point Reyes has earned its stripes as the National Audubon Society’s #1 birding hotspot for several consecutive years. Why, you ask? Because more than 54% of all North American bird species have been spotted and recorded right here! In April, the Mediterranean climate of California sets the stage for a spectacular show, where wintering and breeding birds overlap in this coastal hotspot.

Picture this:

50+ guided field events (schedule coming soon) led by passionate birders and naturalists over three days across three counties (Marin, Sonoma, and Contra Costa). These events are geared to bring a broader awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of Marin and beyond.

A Saturday Social Gathering with Keynote Nils Warnock Conservation Director of Audubon Canyon Ranch, where attendees can enjoy a meal while meeting our festival community, and hear from one of the leading bird researchers on the West Coast.

And a FREE Sunday Family Fun Day in Point Reyes Station for budding birders (youth ages 3+) to experience the wonder of live bird ambassadors, and art, games, and activities to introduce them to the birds and nature.

But hold your binoculars, there's more! Point Reyes isn't just a haven for our feathered friends; it's a coastal hotspot for whales, elk, wildflowers, and a myriad of other wildlife. It's not just about the birds; it's about encountering the entire cast of characters in this ecological play—insects, deer, foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, weasels, seals, river otters, and an array of amphibians and reptiles.

And here's the cherry on top: your participation supports the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC), a nonprofit with a 53-legacy of protecting the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of coastal Marin. This isn't just a weekend getaway; it's a commitment to advocacy, education, and engagement programs year-round.

Since 1971, the EAC has been making waves (pun intended) with successes like protecting the Tomales Dunes at Dillon Beach, preserving wilderness at Drakes Estero, safeguarding eelgrass habitat in Tomales Bay, securing bans on offshore oil and gas development in Marin County, and so much more.

Early Bird Member Registration: Early Bird Registration (EAC Members) February 23rd-29th, 2024 | Public Registration March 1st