Scheduled at the height of spring migration and nesting in the Grande Ronde Valley, the annual Ladd Marsh Bird Festival celebrates World Migratory Bird Day with an uncrowded, non-competitive birding opportunity for the whole family.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is located about 7 miles south of La Grande, Oregon, and has one of the the most diverse bird populations in Union County. Over 200 species of birds either visit or live permanently at Ladd Marsh.

On Bird Fest weekend, birders can explore areas of the wildlife area generally closed to the public, providing increased opportunities to see abundant ducks, geese, raptors, passerines, and shore birds.

Schedule of Events:

Field trips depart from designated locations as follows. Please plan to be at the meeting places 15 minutes before departure time:

4:45 am – Dawn Chorus – Peach Road Fishing Pond Parking Lot
5:00 am – Rhinehart Canyon – UC Senior Center
6:30 am – Birds and Botany of the Pondera Pine Forest – UC Senior Center
6:30 am – Grande Ronde Valley Hotspots – Peach Road Registration Area
7:00 am – Feathered Encounters at Red Bridge State Park – UC Senior Center
9:00 am – GROWISER – participants drive on their own to GROWISER.

4:45 am    - Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area opens to public access with passport.
8:45 pm    - Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area closes to public access.