Waterfowl are a focus group of birds for some late April birding festivals (Northern Pintail photo by Paul Konrad).
By late April, some migrating songbirds are arriving, such as Painted Buntings.
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With so many birding festivals taking place during April, this is the second installment of the many birding festivals that are taking place during April, following last week’s article listing early April festivals. By the last week of April, the excitement of spring migration is in full swing, with waterfowl in position, shorebirds arriving, and songbirds and hummingbirds on the way as many species can be seen along the Gulf Coast and other southern areas, moving north in time. April’s birding festivals are focused on the arrival of a variety of birds for exciting field trips, presentations, and socials.
A favorite description of one late April birding festival is: “Where the beauty of the birds is matched by the beauty of the scenery.” And yes, it’s all about getting outdoors, near or far, and learning more about the birds we see in a social setting – and it’s about including family and friends, and making new acquaintances. Birding Festivals are truly celebrations of birds and birding, shared by participants that range from every age to every level of interest in birds.
You can get more information about each of the April birding festivals listed here by referring to the links provided below, and for information about events taking place the first 3 weeks of April, please refer to last week’s issue, in your email box or in the Archives of this website.
April 23 to 27 – Alaska – Stikine River Birding Festival, Wrangell, Alaska; see STIKINE RIVER BIRDING FESTIVAL — Travel Wrangell
April 23 to 27 – Texas – Birdiest Festival in America, South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, Corpus Christi, Texas; see The Birdiest Festival in America | Texas Birding
April 24 to 26 – Utah – Red Cliffs Bird Fest at Greater Zion, St. George, Utah; see Red Cliffs Bird Fest – Bird and nature festival in St. George, Utah
April 24 to 27 – Texas – Galveston FeatherFest Birding & Nature Photography Fest, Galveston Island, Texas; see Galveston Featherfest Birding & Nature Photography Festival
April 24 to 27 – Arizona – Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival, Cottonwood, Arizona; see Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival 2025 - Friends of the Verde River
April 25 to 26 – Louisiana – Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival, Grand Isle, Louisiana; see Migratory Bird Festival - Grand Isle (townofgrandisle.com)
April 25 to 27 – Kentucky – Ohio Valley Birding Festival, Henderson, Kentucky; see (3) Facebook
April 25 to 27 – New York – Bird of Prey Days at Braddock Bay, Braddock Bay Raptor Research, Rochester, New York; see Bird of Prey Days | Braddock Bay Raptor Research (bbrr.org) and Braddock Bay Raptor Research | (bbrr.org)
April 25 to 27 – Washington – Grays Harbor Shorebird & Nature Festival, Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Hoquiam, Washington; see Home (shorebirdfestival.com)
April 25 to 27 – Colorado – Mountain Plover Festival, Karval, Colorado; see Mountain Plover Festival - Karval CO Bird Watching Festival
April 25 to 27 – Tennessee – Hatchie BirdFest, Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, Brownsville, Tennessee; see Hatchie BirdFest
April 25 to 27 – Texas – Balcones Songbird Festival, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Marble Falls, Texas; see Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and Calendar of public events at Balcones Canyonlands NWR. (friendsofbalcones.org)
April 25 to 27 – California – Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival, Point Reyes Station, California; see Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival (pointreyesbirdingfestival.org)
April 26 – Missouri – Arrow Rock Birds Festival, Missouri River Bird Observatory, Arrow Rock, Missouri; see MRBO Festivals
April 26 – California – California Duck Days, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Davis, California; see Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival (pointreyesbirdingfestival.org)
April 26 – Alaska – Spring Migration Celebration, Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, Fairbanks, Alaska; see Spring Migration Celebration | Friends of Creamer’s Field (friendsofcreamersfield.org)
April 26 to 27 – Alberta – Snow Goose Festival, Tofield, Alberta; see Snow Goose Festival | Festival | Tofield, AB, Canada
April 26 to 27 – Virginia – Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk, Virginia; see Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
April 27 – Wisconsin – Madison Bird & Nature Festival, Madison, Wisconsin; see Bird & Nature Festival 2025 | Parks | City of Madison, WI
April 28 to May 3 – West Virginia – New River Birding & Nature Festival, Lansing, West Virginia; see Home (birding-wv.com)