Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival
Three days celebrating migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway — field trips, boat cruises, live raptors, and an all-day free expo on the shores of Semiahmoo Bay.
About the event
The Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival is a 23rd annual all-volunteer nonprofit event celebrating migratory birds at the intersection of Semiahmoo Bay, Drayton Harbor, and Birch Bay — an area designated as an Important Birding Area on the Pacific Flyway. Festival headquarters are at the Blaine Community Center Pavilion.
Mid-March creates an exceptional birding window here: wintering waterfowl and seabirds are still present in the bay while the first spring migrants are beginning to arrive overland. The overlap produces species diversity rarely seen at any other time of year along this stretch of coastline.
What to expect
The Saturday expo runs all day and is free — live raptor demonstrations, wildlife exhibits, art and craft vendors, children's activities (nest-building, arts and crafts), expert speakers, and a birding breakfast. Beginner-friendly throughout.
Expert-guided field trips run across the three days, including the Salish Express open-water birding cruise into Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor, and charter bus trips to the Skagit Wildlife Area. Field trips have separate fees (typically around $25) and pre-registration is strongly recommended — they often sell out before the festival opens.