Gunsight Mountain HawkWatch and HawkWatch Weekend

When: 10AM on April 18-19, 2020
Where: Mile 118.8 on the Glenn Highway

Celebrate the return of spring migrating raptors with this annual Anchorage Audubon event. Anchorage Audubon typically does a complete and thorough HawkWatch for an entire season at Gunsight Mountain. Additionally, Anchorage Audubon hosts a Gunsight Mountain HawkWatch Weekend. Migrating raptors that can be seen along the ridgeline near MP 119 include Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Goshawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon and Merlin. Swainson's Hawk and Osprey have also been seen migrating through this area. Bring warm clothing, binoculars, spotting scopes, lunch, snacks, and lawn chairs and sit back while you watch migrating raptors glide over the nearby ridge.

Check the the Mat-Su Birders calendar and Anchorage Audubon website for more information.

Ketchikan Hummingbird Festival & Art Show Reception

When: April 3, 2020 
Where: Ketchikan

Celebrate the return of migratory birds from Central and South America to the southern panhandle of Alaska in this month-long annual festival. The male Rufous Hummingbirds begin arriving Ketchikan in mid-March and are seen at feeders and flowers throughout Ketchikan by mid-April.

Festival events include guided bird hikes, art shows, and activities for children. For more information, visit the website or call festival headquarters at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center at (907) 228-6220.

Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival

When: May 7–10, 2020
Where: Online

In early May, the tidal flats of the Copper River Delta shimmer with the activity of hundreds of thousands of shorebirds. As many as 5 million shorebirds rest and feed here during spring migration. Organized by the Cordova Chamber of Commerce, the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival provides the ideal opportunity for bird watchers to be part of this epic migration. Many activities, workshops and community events are offered throughout the festival.

For more information please call (907) 424-7260 or visit the website. 

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival

When: May 7–10, 2020
Where: Online

Enjoy presentations on birding both around the globe and here in Alaska at the 27th Annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. Organized by Friend of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges and held at the Islands and Oceans Center, expert speakers, naturalists, and guides will share their extensive wealth of birding knowledge. Enjoy field events; workshops; presentations; boat, bus, and kayak tours; and a number of birding hotspots in and around the Homer area. When your day of birding and exploring Homer winds down, spend your evening enjoying the great line-up of entertainment for all ages.

Find more information on the website or contact the festival by email. 

Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival

When: TBD (August 2020)
Where: Fairbanks

Join the Friend of Creamer's Field for a celebration of the abundant fall migration. Events include Brunch with the Cranes, nature walks, a kids' crane walk, crafts, a crane calling contest, a drawing cranes workshop, a driving tour of Fairbanks birding hotspots, a live birds of prey program, bird research talks, and of course crane watching. The annual Tex-Mex feast will be Saturday night outside under the event tent. For more information, visit Friends of Creamer's Field website, call them at (907) 452-5162 or email Friends of Creamer's Field.

Alaska Bald Eagle Festival

When: TBD (November 2020)
Where: Haines

Come celebrate one of the largest gathering of Bald Eagles in the world! Daily busses and/or vans will carry you safely to the Alaska Bald Eagle Preserve to witness the annual ‘Gathering of the Eagles.’ At this time of year, over 3,000 eagles can be found in the Preserve feeding on a late run of salmon.

You can choose to attend photography workshops, wildlife presentations, tours, classes, and live raptor presentations. The Festival includes evening entertainment to round out your Festival experience.

For more information, call (907) 766-3094 or visit the website.