Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival

This annual event has been bringing bird lovers, nature enthusiasts, and the community of cordova together for over three decades. this year, We invite everyone to be part of this memorable milestone, support this festival that highlights AN incredible migration to the Copper River delta, a site of hemispheric importance. Come for the birds, stay for the breathtaking scenery, the unique culture, and the chance to celebrate with us as we mark our 35th year!

Schedule:

Shorebird Identification 101 Class
Friday, May 2, 2025
8:00 AM 8:45 AM
Cordova Center, 601 1st St, Cordova, AK 99574

Join Erin Cooper, Forest Service Program Manager for Wildlife, Ecology, and Vegetation Management, for a comprehensive introduction to the region's shorebirds. This informative class will offer expert insights and identification tips to enhance your skills and enrich your experience before heading out on your first guided field trip.

Presentation: Elementary Steps in Keeping a Nature Journal
Friday, May 2, 2025
9:00 AM 10:00 AM
Cordova Center, 601 1st St, Cordova, AK 99574

Following the Shorebird Identification 101 class, join Dotty Widmann for a talk on the basics of keeping a nature journal. Dotty will guide you through simple yet effective techniques to record your outdoor observations, helping you capture the beauty of nature in a personal and meaningful way. This talk is a great way to build on your shorebird knowledge and enhance your field experience.

Black Bellied Plover Needlefelt Workshop
Friday, May 2, 2025
12:00 PM 4:00 PM
The Net Loft, 140 Adams Ave, Cordova, AK 99574

Discover Cordova: Shorebird Frenzy
Friday, May 2, 2025
1:00 PM 3:00 PM
Hartney Bay , Cordova, AK

The Prince William Sound Science Center will be at Eyak Corporation's upper camping area at Hartney Bay, exploring shorebirds and their adaptations through hands-on learning and play. Bring your beginning birders so they can get their feet wet in the wild world of birding. There will be a craft, games, scavenger hunt, and a chance to learn how to use binoculars and spotting scopes. Open to kids of all ages and their caregivers.

Keynote Speaker: Rob P. Clay
Friday, May 2, 2025
5:30 PM 6:00 PM
Cordova Center, 601 1st St, Cordova, AK 99574

Join Rob P. Clay, Ph.D., a leading expert in migratory bird conservation, for an insightful keynote presentation. With over 20 years of experience, Rob’s passion for Neotropical birds began during an undergraduate expedition to Paraguay in 1992, and has since led him to pivotal roles in bird conservation across the Americas. In his talk, Rob will share his extensive knowledge of migratory bird conservation efforts, his work with the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN), and his ongoing projects monitoring shorebirds in Paraguay. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a true leader in the field of conservation.

Guided Birding Field Trip at Hartney Bay
Friday, May 2, 2025
6:45 PM 7:45 PM
Hartney Bay , Cordova, AK

Guided Birding Field Trip at Hartney Bay
Join expert guides for a unique birding experience during high tide at Hartney Bay. This guided field trip offers participants the chance to observe shorebirds and other wildlife in their natural habitat with the guidance of seasoned birding experts. Registrants will have the opportunity to enhance their bird identification skills while exploring one of the region’s prime birdwatching locations.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with nature and deepen your birding knowledge!

Group Nature Journaling
Friday, May 2, 2025
7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Hartney Bay , Cordova, AK

Beginning Shorebird drawing/Nature journaling.