Every spring, thousands of shorebirds migrate through Kachemak Bay, making it one of Alaska’s best birding hotspots. The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival brings together birders, scientists, and nature enthusiasts to celebrate this incredible migration. With guided birding trips, expert talks, hands-on workshops, and activities for all ages, the festival offers something for everyone—whether you’re an experienced birder or just getting started.

COMBINING ART AND NATURE

Shorebirds inspire creativity, and each year we feature a keynote artist, an art auction, and hands-on art workshops to celebrate the connection between wildlife and art. Whether you’re an artist or an admirer, there are many ways to experience the beauty of birds through creative expression.

Schedule

May 10, 2025

6 – 7:30am: Morning at the Marsh - Airport Viewing Platform

7:30am – 2pm: Lake Clark National Park Bear/Bird Viewing - Anchor River State Recreation Area

7:30 – 9:30am: Beginner Bird Walk - Calvin and Coyle - Calvin and Coyle Trail

8 – 11am: Cold Duck Time - Homer Harbor

8 – 11am: Coldwater, Hot Birds - Homer Harbor

8 – 10am: Fins and Feathers Boat Tour - Homer Harbor

8 – 10am: The Wise and Wonderful Journey - Kachemak Bay Adventures Office

8 – 9am: Beach Walk and Talk: Shorebirds on the Frontline of Marine Pollution - Bishops Beach

8:30am – 4:30pm: Full Day Boat Tour To Seldovia - Homer Harbor

8:30am – 12:30pm: Upper Kachemak Bay Tour - Homer Harbor

9am – 1pm: Flow with the Birds: 1/2 Day Kayak Tour AM - Kachemak Bay Adventures Office

9am – 12pm: Seabird Ventures - Homer Harbor

9 – 11am: Anchor Point Birding - Anchor River State Park Recreation Area - 

9 – 11am: Beaks and Bills AM - Homer Harbor

9 – 10:30am: Bird Trading Card Workshop - Pratt Museum

9 – 10:30am: Shorebird Identification - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

10am – 4pm: Gull Island Tour with Hike to Grewingk Glacier Lake

10am – 2pm: Kayaking with Birds in the Wildlife Refuge - Homer Harbor

10am – 12pm: Homer's Homestead Hiking AM - Twin Creeks Trail Head Lodge

10 – 11am: Discovery Lab for Adults! - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

10 – 11am: Organic Farm, Tunnels and Botanical Garden Tours AM - Synergy Gardens

11am – 5pm: Gulls And Glaciology Excursion - Homer Harbor

11am – 12:30pm: Beginner Bird Walk Beluga Slough - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

11 – 11:45am: What did we miss? Automated ear-birding in Homer 24/7 - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

11:30am – 1:30pm: Family Viewing Station and Bird Walks - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

11:30am – 1:30pm: Jr. Birder Discovery Lab - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

12 – 12:45pm: The Surfbird's Secrets: Natural History and Ecology of a Poorly Known Shorebird - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

1 – 5pm: Flow with the Birds: 1/2 Day Kayak Tour PM - Kachemak Bay Adventures Office

1 – 3pm: Beaks and Bills PM - Homer Harbor

1 – 2:30pm: Kachemak Bay Kittiwake Observations - Homer Harbormasters Building

1 – 1:45pm: Schantz Scholar Talk: Band Resighting: Citizen Scientist Involvement - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

1:15 – 2:45pm: Mud Bay Viewing Station

1:30 – 5:30pm: Seabirds and Otters at the Homer Bluffs - Homer Harbor

2 – 6pm: Kayaking into the Ancient Past - Homer Harbor

2 – 4pm: Homer's Homestead Hiking PM - Twin Creeks Trail Head Lodge

2 – 4pm: Shorebirding by Ear - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

2 – 3:30pm: Wonderful Wings Workshop - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

2 – 3pm: Homer Harbor Bird Walk - Homer Harbor

2 – 2:45pm: Northwest Passage Cruise; a High Arctic Immersion - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

2:30 – 5:30pm: Shorebird Photography on the Anchor Point Beach - Anchor River State Park Recreation Area

3:30 – 5pm: Annual Bird Calling Contest - Homer Brewing

4 – 8pm: Shorebird Dinner Cruise - Homer Harbor

4 – 5:30pm: Bird Wing Investigation and Discovery Workshop - Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

4 – 5pm: Organic Farm, Tunnels and Botanical Garden Tours PM - Synergy Gardens

7 – 8pm: Presentation by Keynote Speaker, Ben Mirin: Creative Conservation: Applying Your Passions to Nature - Homer High School

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Date: May 7 - 11, 2025