Wings Over Willapa Festival

Schedule of Events:

7:00am - 3:00pm: Pelagic Birding Trip

Join Captain Steve Sohlstrom of Sea Breeze Charters and Dr. Jen Zamon, a Research Fishery Biologist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on this offshore adventure. Start your trip at the Port of Ilwaco and journey into the Pacific to see up to five species of shearwaters and two species of albatross along with phalarope, jaeger, auklets, storm-petrels and other pelagic birds not commonly seen near the shore.

The boat will go out rain or shine. Prepare for cool weather and open sea conditions.

Participants should pack a water bottle, lunch, and sunscreen. Seasick medications or acupressure wrist bands as needed.

Location: Sea Breeze Charters, 185 Howerton Way SE. Pier E at the Port of Ilwaco

7:30 - 9:30am: Wildlife Tracking

Join Kristi Freese, a Professional Level IV tracker, for a wildlife tracking adventure at Leadbetter Point. Kristi provides a short presentation on tracking, then you’ll set off along the shoreline of Willapa Bay to identify tracks of recent birds and mammals such as sanderlings, great blue herons, racoons, deer, and many more. Bring binoculars as there are birding opportunities along the way.

-Washington State Discover Pass required for parking.
-Trail difficulty is rated as easy. Participants must be able to walk on wet sand and natural trail for up to one mile.
-Insect repellent is recommended.

Location: Leadbetter Point Parking Lot, northern most parking area on Stackpole Road

7:30 - 9:30am: Good Morning Birds

Join Cindy McCormack for an early morning walk to look for and listen to birds of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. During this 2+ mile stroll along Tarlatt Slough and South Bay trails you’ll visit three different habitats including forest, estuary, and grassy meadow. Songbirds, shorebirds, ducks, and birds of prey are most likely to be encountered. Highlights are bald eagle, great blue heron, western sandpiper, cedar waxwing, spotted towhee, and pacific wren. Bring binoculars, wear sturdy walking shoes and dress for cool weather. Cindy is a monitoring biologist for Columbia Land Trust and spends much of her free time outdoors. Her previous experience includes other wildlife and botanical fieldwork in the wonderful variety of habitats of the Pacific Northwest. She leads field trips and bird walks for Vancouver Audubon and Washington Ornithological Society, serves on the Washington Bird Records Committee, and volunteers as a regional reviewer for eBird.

-This walk will be at a slower pace, the trail is rated as moderate.
-Trail surface ranges from gravel to natural Bring binoculars if you have them for the best experience.

Location: Willapa NWR - Tarlatt Slough and South Bay trails. Meet at the kiosk at the end of 95th street, Long Beach

10:00am - 11:00am: Getting to Know the Tiny Fliers: Shorebirds of the Willapa Bay

Shorebirds, some no larger than a sparrow, are among Earth’s great long-distant migrants. In autumn, we can witness a dazzling array of these birds as they make their way south from their Arctic breeding grounds. At first glance, all these little brown birds may look alike. But with a little practice, you can identify different shorebird species and grow your enjoyment of this intriguing bird group. Join Monica Iglecia, US Coordinator for Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, and Vanessa Loverti, USFWS Regional Shorebird Coordinator, to learn more about the shorebirds that rely on Willapa Bay and the Pacific Flyway. This presentation helps you differentiate both local and migrant shorebirds by size, shape, color, and behavior. You'll also get insights into recent monitoring efforts and how biologists are using MOTUS technology to learn more about these tiny fliers.

Location: Willapa NWR -  Headquarters, 7112 67th Place, Long Beach

10:00am - 12:00pm: A Naturalist's Perspective: Art & Cutthroat Climb Trails

East of Willapa Bay, the Willapa Hills rise covered in cedar, hemlock, and alder. Master Naturalist Rebecca Lexa reveals the ecology of this quiet, stately forest and the lush wetlands nearby. You’ll walk the boardwalk of the Art Trail to enjoy metal sculptures celebrating local ecology, and then head uphill on the Cutthroat Climb Trail for a more rugged woodland experience. This hike is about 1.5 miles total, on the boardwalk and then steep-sloped natural trails.

-Wear all-weather clothing and sturdy shoes.
-A portion of this trail is rated as strenuous with steep inclines.
-Sturdy shoes are recommended.

Location: Willapa NWR - Cutthroat Creek, located north of mile marker 24 on Highway 101

10:00am - 12:00pm: Birds of Fog Forest

Delve into Cape Disappointment's old-growth forests and the birds that rely on them. During this 2-mile guided walk Park Ranger Reyn Nielsen will point out plants and birds of the park. Participants will see huge Sitka Spruce trees over 10-foot diameter, views of the Columbia River Estuary, and a famous trading spot where Chinook Indians met European and American vessels. Bring your binoculars and meet at the Coastal Loop Trailhead on SR100spur, right across from the Cape D. Cafe.

-Washington State Discover Pass required for parking area.
-Trail difficulty is rated as moderate.
-Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain 2 miles round trip.

Location: Cape Disappointment State Park - Costal Loop Trailhead on SR100 spur, across from the Cape D cafe

11:00am - 3:00pm: Nature Play Day

Join this family-friendly free event and take part in crafts, games, and other activities to learn about the diverse environment and wildlife of the Long Beach Peninsula! Learn from refuge staff, interns, and volunteers! Local community groups will be joining us, bringing their own nature-themed activities for you to do.

Make your way through activity stations where you will learn about the habitats and critters that live in them, get creative with crafts and projects such as building your own bird box, migrating like a bird through a life-size board game, taking home a personalized Wings T-shirt, meeting LIVE birds of prey, and so much more!! All ages are welcome, bring your friends, family, and neighbors!

-Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue will be in attendance with live birds from 11am - 1pm.
-Drop-in activity; most families spend at least 2 hours at Nature Play Day.
-Kids will collect stamps at each activity in their Activity Passport, earning a Jr. Ranger badge at the end of their adventure!
-Our wildlife refuge mascot, Puddles the Blue Goose, will be making a special appearance as well!

Location: Veterans Field, 111 3rd St SE, Long Beach

12:30 - 3:30pm: Six Things About My Bird Book That Might Surprise You

Join author Sarah Swanson for a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a bird book, specifically her local field guide, Best Little Book of Birds: the Oregon Coast. Sarah will also share some of her favorite birding hotspots along the northern Oregon Coast for all seasons.

After the presentation Sarah and Max will lead the group to Porter Point Loop where you will see forest birds including chestnut-backed chickadee, Steller’s Jay, dark-eyed junco, northern flicker and more. Sarah cares deeply about the conservation of birds and their habitats and has pursued this passion as an author of bird books, an environmental educator, and a fundraiser and event manager for conservation nonprofits. Sarah’s most recent books are: Best Little Book of Birds: the Oregon Coast and Best Little Book of Birds: the Cascade Range and Columbia Gorge and will be offered for sale. Max is an ecologist working for the Rocky Mountain Research Station on projects related to water and wildlife in the western U.S. He is from Butte, MT but has been an Oregonian for 18 years. He loves birding with Sarah, especially at the coast and in central Oregon.

-Trail difficulty is rated as moderate.
-Participants must be able to walk on gravel and natural surface with some uneven terrain for 2.5 miles.

Location: Willapa NWR - Headquarters, 7112 67th Place, Long Beach

2:00 - 5:00pm: Wind Chimes from Clay

Learn hand building techniques to create your own Wind Chime out of clay! Working with clay is a great way to connect with yourself, exploring your creativity and focusing your attention to the task at hand. This is a fun-filled class, and no experience is necessary! Ages 14+ solo, and ages 10-13 with an adult. Participants will create components for one wind chime during the class, then it will be fired and glazed by the studio. Items will be available for pick-up approximately 2-3 weeks after event.

Location: Ilwaco Artworks, 109 First Ave N., Ilwaco

3:00-5:00pm: Birds of the Fog Forest

Delve into Cape Disappointment's old-growth forests and the birds that rely on them.  During this 2-mile guided walk Park Ranger Ryen Nielsen will point out plants and birds of the park. Participants will see huge Sitka Spruce trees over 10-foot diameter, views of the Columbia River Estuary, and a famous trading spot where Chinook Indians met European and American vessels. Bring your binoculars and meet at the Coastal Loop Trailhead on SR100spur, right across from the Cape D. Cafe.

-Washington State Discover Pass required for parking area.
-Trail difficulty is rated as moderate.  Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain 2 miles round trip.

Location: Cape Disappointment State Park - Coastal Loop Trailhead on SR100 spur

5:30pm to End: Keynote: Kinship with Kingfishers

Join award-winning author Marina Richie for a headfirst dive into belted kingfishers over seven seasons on a home creek. Her photo-filled presentation threads natural history, memoir, and myth. She introduces the practice of deep birding leading to kinship with a wild neighborhood and personal transformation. By the water’s edge, the author healed from the loss of her naturalist father and tapped into her own powers.

Halcyon Journey, In Search of the Belted Kingfisher earned the 2024 John Burroughs Award, awarded annually to the year’s most distinguished book of nature writing. Her book also earned a National Outdoor Book Award and a Foreword Indies Award. Sixteen illustrations by artist Ram Papish illuminate the hidden world of a secretive and skittish bird. Marina will sign and sell books at the event. Hors-d'œuveres and a complimentary beer or wine are included with registration.

Marina is a nature writer living in Central Oregon with an affinity for the coast. Growing up in a National Park Service family influenced Richie’s passion for protecting wildlife and wild places. Her articles, essays and poetry appear in literary and popular magazines, blogs, newspapers and in three book collections. She’s also written wayside exhibits and led communication efforts for wildlife conservation campaigns. In addition to Halcyon Journey, she authored two children’s books, Bird Feats of Montana and Bug Feats of Montana. She earned an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Montana and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Oregon. To read her bi-monthly prose and poetry blog and learn more, visit www.marinarichie.com.

-Arrive early to enjoy Hors-d'œuveres, a complimentary beer or wine, and socialize with others before the presentation.
-A cash bar is available.
-The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a raffle with themed baskets at the start of the event. Artists from the Friday Welcome Social donated an item for the raffle baskets.

Location: Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, 115 Lake St SE, Ilwaco

Click Here For Registration