PUGET SOUND BIRD FEST IN EDMONDS 

September 11-13, 2020

Puget Sound Bird Fest in Edmonds, Washington is an annual fall celebration of birds and nature found on the beautiful shores of Puget Sound. It is listed as one of Seattle's best events on events12.com, the web site of events currently over 12 months in major cities.

Our three-day event includes speakers, guided walks, land and water-based field trips, exhibits, and educational activities for children and adults. Plan to spend the weekend in Edmonds, birding and meeting other birders, naturalists, photographers, and people engaged in fascinating bird research projects.

Welcome Kaeli Swift, 2020 Keynote Presenter

Friday September 11, 2020
7:30-9pm. Doors open at 7pm
Edmonds Plaza Room
650 Main St. in Edmonds
CHECK BACK IN JUNE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING PRE-REGISTRATION 

Something to Crow About
Crows and ravens are found on nearly every continent where they routinely infiltrate the hearts and minds of the humans who share their space.  Dr. Swift will discuss some of the general aspects about crows that contribute to our affinity (and sometimes hatred) for them, with a particular emphasis on concepts that are the most frequent questions people have about crows including play, tool use, communal roosting, and funerals.

About Dr. Swift
From the time she was a young child, Dr. Swift has always loved wildlife—especially birds—and asking questions about animal behavior and cognition. As an undergrad at Willamette University, she discovered that crows and other corvids offered the perfect marriage of these interests, and she has been hooked on them ever since.  As a masters and doctoral student at the University of Washington, she dedicated herself to understanding what American crows do in response to dead crows, as well as what adaptive motivations might drive their response. Her graduate research included both field-based projects observing wild crows, and non-invasive/non-lethal functional imaging studies aimed at understanding what was going on in the crow brain during these experiences. After graduating, she spent a year as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Washington studying the foraging behaviors of Canada jays in Denali National Park.  She has been a lecturer in the UW's School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, where she taught ornithology, conservation, and wildlife ecology.  You can read her popular science articles on her blog, corvidresearch.blog.  You can also find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at the @corvidresearch handle.  Video, audio, and print reports of her research have been featured by: National Geographic, PBS, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Ologies podcast, Science Friday and many others.

Edmonds Welcomes Birders From Everywhere

Picturesque Edmonds is distinctive for a rich array of shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes and bistros that cater to arts and festivals. Many eateries located in the center of town and along the beachfront are all within walkin distance of our festival venue. Within driving distance, even more dining experiences are offered in Edmonds' neighborhoods of Firdale Village, Five Corners, Perrinville, and Westgate, and in Edmonds' International District along Highway 99. Parking is free on Edmonds' streets and in public parking lots but some in downtown have a three-hour limit. The Bird Fest is eagerly anticipated by Edmonds' locals, so you can always expect to see bonus activities and entertainments around town, with some listed on our event map.

Edmonds offers birders a wide variety of habitats: salt water, fresh water, wetlands, fields, ravines, woods, and lots of back yards! Several birders keep track of the species seen each year within the city limits. They have documented 263 species in the city. In a typical year 180-190 species are seen. Some are year-round residents and some are just passing through on migration. Some winter here and others just spend the summer. Some are one-time vagrants.  Click here for up-to-date online postings of bird sightings in Edmonds and other birding hotspots around Washington State.  Also check out the Bird Lore column at MyEdmondsNews.com. Click to see current photos of Edmonds Bald Eagles and other wildlife.

Join the Flock! 

EXHIBITORS: If you would like to have a booth at Bird Fest, please contact Jennifer.leach[at]edmondswa.gov by August 15. 

VOLUNTEERS: Bird Fest relies almost entirely on volunteers. If you are interested in joining us to help plan, organize, or help with activities the day of the festival, please contact Jennifer Leach 425-771-0227 orJennifer.leach[at]edmondswa.gov.

Puget Sound Bird Fest is organized by the City of Edmonds Parks & Recreation and Economic Development Departments.