Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest

05/21/2026

Hi friends! We're phasing out this page and moving all our Bird Fest related updates to Wenatchee River Institute at Barn Beach Reserve. Be sure to follow along as we plan for the 25th annual Bird Fest: May 13-16, 2027!

04/06/2026

Seeking Nominations for the 2026 Bird Fest Founders' Award

The success of the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest is built on collaboration and volunteerism. In honor of the original 2003 steering committee, WRI and North Central Washington Audubon Society are seeking nominations for this year’s Founders’ Award.

We are looking for individuals or organizations who have:
🔹 Provided significant time and energy to Bird Fest goals.
🔹 Improved the efficiency or reach of the festival.
🔹 Shown long-term dedication or contributed to community science.

Help us honor those who dedicate themselves to environmental education and conservation in our valley.

Submit your nomination by April 12th: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/bird-fest/founders-award.html

Special thanks to the three women who co-chaired the 2003 Bird Fest steering committee: Jeanie Garrity from NCWAS, Sharon Lunz from the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, and Heather Wallis Murphy from the U.S. Forest Service. The latter two are pictured below.

02/24/2026

The countdown to Bird Fest starts now! 📢

Keep an eye on your inbox—a special E-News is going out tomorrow with exclusive updates you won’t find anywhere else.

Not on the list? Sign up here: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/emailsignup/page.html

02/23/2026

Thank you so much for being such incredible followers and active participants of the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest. Your passion for our feathered friends is what makes this community so special!

What’s Changing?
After we wrap up this year's festivities, we will begin slowly phasing out this dedicated Bird Fest account.

Where to Find Us
Don't worry—the birds aren't going anywhere! You can stay in the loop and find all future Bird Fest updates, schedules, and birding highlights on our main account: Wenatchee River Institute at Barn Beach Reserve

Make sure to head over and follow us there so you don't miss a single chirp (we have many Bird Walks outside of the Bird Fest that happen as well). We can't wait to celebrate this upcoming season with you!

Come bird with us and discover the natural beauty of North Central Washington! Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest occurs every 3rd weekend in May.

02/12/2026

Celebrate the return of the Western Tanager with our official 2026 Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest gear. Featuring a soulful blend of regional flora and geometric heritage patterns, this design celebrates the intersection of culture and conservation. Every purchase directly supports Wenatchee River Institute (WRI) and our mission to connect people, communities, and the natural world through environmental education.

Shop here: https://bit.ly/BirdFestStore

01/22/2026

Save the Date: The 24th Annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest!

The Wenatchee River Institute and North Central Washington Audubon Society are proud to present the 24th Annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest this May 14–17.

Join us for a weekend-long celebration featuring over 30 guided birding trips, expert-led workshops, and fun activities for the whole family. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just bird-curious, it’s the perfect time to explore the incredible bird life and natural beauty of the Wenatchee Valley.

Registration opens in mid-March! To ensure you don't miss out on your favorite trips, make sure you are signed up for WRI’s newsletter. We’ll email you the moment the official registration date is set so you can secure your spot.

Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for the full schedule. Let’s get ready to welcome our feathered friends back home!

https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/bird-fest/

📸: Photo courtesy of Nancy Merrill

01/02/2026

"So, in 2022, Mr. Wolf and a colleague secured funding from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for a dozen small audio devices that they strapped to trees across several of the conservancy’s properties. The project has since grown to include six other partners: land trusts, tribes and county parks. Together, they are improving forest habitat and monitoring bird calls across 4,533 acres of protected land in western Washington; on rugged islands; in monoculture forests; along restored floodplains; and on land bouncing back from intense agricultural and timber use."

A collective of land trusts, conservancies and tribes is capturing birdsong with audio gear and A.I. for clues about habitat health.

12/10/2025

“Birds are checking in and giving ‘Yelp reviews’ of our forests.”
Across Washington state, land trusts, tribal groups, and conservationists are using audio recorders and AI to listen to birdsong as a measure of habitat health. The presence and diversity of bird calls help researchers understand whether forest restoration efforts are working.

As forests are thinned and restored, some species like the Swainson’s thrush are being heard more often, suggesting these habitat improvements may be helping bird populations rebound.

With bird populations across North America declining this listening-based approach offers a hopeful, science-driven way to track ecosystem recovery and biodiversity.

Full article:

A collective of land trusts, conservancies and tribes is capturing birdsong with audio gear and A.I. for clues about habitat health.