Watsonville Civic Plaza.
Festival headquarters and registration for all activities will take place at the City of Watsonville Civic Plaza.

Species Seen In 2012

FESTIVAL FACTS

HEADQUARTERS HOURS The Festival headquarters at Watsonville Civic Plaza, 275 Main Street, will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 5:30 a.m. to Noon.

FIELD TRIP KEY
Easy - under 1 mile, usually level ground.
Moderate - 1 to 3 miles, moderately level ground.
Strenuous - 3 miles or more, difficult terrain, tick sand, steps, steep.
K - For young people ages 8 & older with adult
B - Beginners
W - Wheelchair accessible
Most workshops, and a limited number of field trips may be accessible to people in wheelchairs and/or limited mobility. There is no wheelchair access on Pelagic trips.

DEPARTURES & TRAVEL
Field trips depart from the Festival headquarters at the Watsonville Civic Plaza as designated in the schedule of events at times listed. All workshops, Vendor's Faire and featured speakers will be held at the Civic Plaza's City Council Chambers and Community Room. Please be on time as activities start promptly. Trip lengths are approximate and include travel time.

TRIP SIZE
Field trips designated as "Limited" have a maximum of 15 participants per leader, with exception of Shearwater Journeys Pelagic Trip, Ventana Wildlife, Owling at Robinson Canyon, Kayak Connection and Elkhorn Slough Safari activities.

TRIP CANCELLATION
Field trips go regardless of weather. Ocean trips may be cancelled at the discretion of Coast Guard or ship's captain. Other trips may be cancelled at discretion of the festival committee along with the trip leader.

CLOTHING & GEAR
Be prepared for morning marine layer and warm weather in afternoon. Dress in layers. Bring binoculars, scopes and other essentials. Poison oak is a possibility on walking field trips.

OCEAN TRIPS
Dress warmly. No ice chests permitted. If prone to motion sickness, take appropriate measures beforehand.

    Sept. 12-15, 2013

Latest News & Features

Ninth Annual
Monterey Bay Birding Festival
Designed for both seasoned and beginning birders, as well as outdoor lovers, the festival offers a unique opportunity to explore, learn and appreciate world class habitats such as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Elkhorn Slough National Marine Estuary, and Pinnacles National Monument. Specially designed field trips will take partic-ipants to Big Sur to see California condors. Join a pelagic trip by Shearwater Journeys to one of the world's most productive regions for albatrosses, shearwaters, storm-petrels and more. Jump into a kayak and get closer to nature or take a scenic ride at Elkhorn Slough Safari. All field trips are led by top quality, friendly leaders.

Online sales will begin May 23, 2013 for each birding event offered a la carte, so you we'll be able to mix and match outings according to personal interests.

Photo Contest Winners 2013
Grand Prize
Photo contest winner.
Fledged Barn Swallows by Sarah Lane
First Place
Photo contest winner.
Sharp-Skinned Hawk by Bruce Lyon

We are now accepting photos for Calendar Contest 2014 Deadline to Enter Is Aug. 23, 2013
2014 Photo Contest Rules


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