The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
May 3-7, 2023!
Planning for the 31st Annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival is underway!
Co-hosted by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Islands & Ocean Visitor Center
and Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges this year’s program promises to offer an array of events to celebrate the spring migration of Alaska’s shorebirds.
Kachemak Bay, located in Homer, Alaska, provides miles of shoreline and intertidal habitat for
migrating birds. Kachemak Bay’s unique ecology, easy accessibility to beaches, and the scenic
landscapes of Homer make this a prime location to experience this annual migration. Kachemak Bay is a site of International Significance in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. During 2022 Festival 134 species were identified.
We welcome Keynote Speaker Diego Calderon
Featured Author Julia Zarankin
Festival Artist, Mattie Squire, is has creted the artwork featuring the mysterious Kittlitz's Murrelet.
The Schantz Scholar, Oscar Wilhelmy, will be here, sharing his birding story and leading the way on trails.
Registration is anticipated to open mid-March 2023. Check back for updates.
We hope you’ll also enjoy presentations from the Schantz Scholar along with tours and talks by knowledgeable Alaskan birders and researchers. The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies and the Pratt Museum and Park are key program partners and will offer education and fun activities throughout the festival.
The Festival is continuing to expand our events to reach a wider demographic through programs such as the All Abilities Birding Outing and the Teen Birders activities. We invite people of all ages and abilities to join us for guided birding excursions, wildlife viewing, and kayaking tours at locations around Kachemak Bay.
If you have questions, suggestions or would like to be on our mailing list, just get in touch with Melanie Dufour, the Festival Coordinator, at kachemakshorebird@gmail.com or 907-226-4631