For millions of shorebirds wending their way north, it’s a pit stop in the wetlands before reaching their breeding grounds. For bird lovers, it’s time to gather in Cordova, May 4-7, to mark the 27th annual Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival.
The Copper River Delta is the largest contiguous wetland on North America’s Pacific Coast, and an integral part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, an international coalition and strategy to conserve shorebirds.
This year’s keynote speaker is David Sibley, author of The Sibley’s Guide to Birds and other birding books and resources. Sibley, of Concord, MA, is a largely self-taught bird illustrator.
“He knows every North American bird – by its shade, by its tilt, by its habitat, by its male, female, and juvenile plumages, “ says Cathy Long, executive director of the Cordova Chamber of Commerce, a major festival host. “It’s only natural; he’s the son of a Yale ornithologist and has been birding since his childhood in Connecticut. Sibley was only seven when he began drawing birds, filing his illustrations away along with clips about the natural history of each species.”
Other festival speakers include Joan Walsh, director of bird monitoring for Massachusetts Audubon; Lisa Kennedy, a doctoral candidate from Trent University-Peterborugh, Ontario; and Kate McLaughlin, president of the Alaska Hummingbird Project.
Other festival sponsors working closely with the chamber include the Chugach National Forest-Cordova Ranger District, Prince William Sound Science Center and The Net Loft Traditional Handcrafts. Additional support comes from Alyeska Pipeline Services Co, BP, Alaska Airlines, Ravn Alaska, the Eyak Corp., Copper Valley Wireless, local volunteers, and numerous local small businesses.
“The shoreside respite of these flocks is framed against a pristine backdrop of coastal glaciers and mountains, the breathtaking vista that we call home,” Long said. “Each spring up to five million shorebirds migrate to and through the magnificent Copper River Delta, drawing birders, experts, scientists, nature enthusiasts, and adventurers of all ages. We invite everyone to come outfitted with binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, sketch pads and pencils, and leave with a heart full of memories.”
Festival registration at the Cordova Chamber of Commerce or online at www.copperriverdeltashorebirdfestival.com/the-festival is encouraged. The cost is $75 for those 18 and older, and $10 for students 13-18. Children are free.
If you live in Cordova, register at the chamber in person or call 424-7260 and ask for the locals-only discount of $25 for adults, $10 for students.
“For one thing, it’s the only way to guarantee you can come along on the festival’s birding cocktail hour cruise, enjoy free appetizers, a bird calling contest, and enjoy the scenery along Orca Inlet,” Long said.
The birder’s cruise ship can take just 124 passengers, and registered festival attendees get first dibs on tickets, “which are free if you’re registered for the festival,” Long said.
The festival celebrates shorebirds in a variety of ways, including birding guides and informative and fun activities for the whole family.
The Net Loft will offer fiber and art workshops for folks of all ages. A “Tour de Peeps” bike, walk, or run tour through town will search out birds in the scenic landscape surrounding the Copper River Delta. There will be “Bon Appetweet” and “Shorebird Shoes” workshops for kids.
An art show, Birds of Paradise, is on display in the Copper River Gallery at the Cordova Historical Museum, and features the work of local artists and Sibley, and a book signing with Sibley.
The annual Birder’s Breakfast at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the 4H Dinner, and Ilanka Cultural Center’s Abundance of Birds mask-making class are also on the schedule. The weekend culminates in the Great Cordova Birding Challenge, with teams of birders competing to see how many species they can identify in eight hours.
New this year will be “welcome Birders” signs in merchants’ windows, courtesy of the chamber of commerce.
Long said the chamber is also distributing stacks of “Birders’ Bucks,” to businesses. For every $20 a festival attendee spends in the merchant’s store, the merchant will pass out one Birder Buck.
“The festival attendee/customer, can then redeem a festival raffle ticket for each Birders Buck they turn into us at the Shorebird Central info table at the Cordova Center, during festival. It’s meant as in incentive for birders to spend money at local businesses while here, and a way for us to capture and record the money that is exchanged due to the festival,” she said.
“Registration fees cover shuttle service to Hartney Bay during prime viewing hours, a Copper River Delta field trip to see nesting birds, entry to speaker addresses, Tour de Peeps, kids’ workshops, and the cocktail hour cruise,” Long said. “All festival events not included in registration price offer a festival registrant discount. If you live in Cordova, register at the chamber and ask for the local discount of $25 for adults, $10 for students.”
For out-of-towners, “Alaska Airlines is offering a discount code, ECMX590,” she said. “There is also a scenic cruise from Major Marine Tours available from Whittier.”
For a complete festival schedule and information on events and accommodations, contact the Cordova Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center at 907-424-7260 or visit http://www.cordovachamber.com
2017 Copper River Shorebird Festival Schedule
THURSDAY, MAY 4
- High tide 9:14 a.m.
- 8:45 a.m. *Riverside Inn Shorebird Airboat Tour. Reservations required 907-424-7135
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ilanka Cultural Center open.
- 5:30 – 7 p.m. Shorebird Footprint Casting Kids Activity, Cordova Center Education Room
- 6 – 9:30 p.m. * The Net Loft Trumpeter Swan Needlefelt Workshop at Net Loft. Must pre-register.
- 7 – 9 p.m. Birds of Paradise Art opening and David Sibley book signing at Copper River Gallery.
FRIDAY, MAY 5
- High tide 10:27 a.m.
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hartney Bay Shuttle ***
- 9 a.m. *Riverside Inn Shorebird Airboat Tour. Reservations required 907-424-7135
- 10 a.m. – Noon *Abundance of Birds: Many Faces of the Maaskaaq — Part 1 Native art class at Ilanka Cultural Center. Must pre-register. Call 907-424-7903 to sign up.
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ilanka Cultural Center open.
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. On Exhibit: Birds of Paradise, at Copper River Gallery.
- 1:30 – 5 p.m. *The Net Loft Alaganik Needlefelt Workshop at Net Loft. Must pre-register.
- 2 – 5 p.m. Harbor Art open.
- 3 – 5 p.m. Shorebird 101 Class. Meet at Cordova Center education room. Dress for weather.
- 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. * 4H Dinner Fundraiser at Mt. Eccles Elementary School
- 6 – 7 p.m. Wine & Cheese mixer at Cordova Center Atrium (first drink included).
SPEAKERS: North Star Theater, Cordova Center
- 7 p.m. Lisa Kennedy, Joan Walsh
- 8 p.m. Keynote: David Sibley
SATURDAY, May 6
- High tide 11:29 a.m.
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hartney Bay Shuttle ***
- 7 – 10 a.m. Field Trip to Alaganik — sign up on website or by calling 907-424-7260.
- 8 – 11 a.m. * Birder’s Breakfast at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
- 8:30 – 10 a.m. * The Net Loft Alaganik Scene on Branch at Net Loft Classroom. Must pre-register. Ages 6-10 must bring adult.
- 10:30 a.m.–Noon * The Net Loft Alaganik Scene on Branch at Net Loft Classroom. Must pre-register. Ages 6-10 must bring adult.
- 12:30 – 2 p.m. * Felted Eggs and Grasses Nest at Net Loft Classroom. Must pre-register.
Ages 6-10 must bring adult. - 10 a.m. * Riverside Inn Shorebird Airboat Tour. Reservations required 907-424-7135.
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. * Abundance of Birds: Many Faces of the Maaskaaq — Part 2 Native art class at Ilanka Cultural Center. Must pre-register. Call 907-424-7903 to sign up.
- Noon – 5 p.m. On Exhibit: Birds of Paradise, at Copper River Gallery.
- 2 – 4 p.m. PWSSC “Bon Appetweet” Kids Activity at Mt. Eccles Elementary playground.
- 2 – 5 p.m. Harbor Art open.
- 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Kate McLaughlin presents “Hummingbirds in Alaska” at the Cordova Center education room
- 4 – 6 p.m. Major Marine birder’s mixer cocktail hour — hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Meet at New Harbor.
SUNDAY, May 7
- High tide 12:23 p.m.
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hartney Bay Shuttle ***
- 10 a.m. – Noon “Tour de Peeps” birding bike, run and walk through town. Meet at Breakwater.
- 11 a.m. * Riverside Inn Shorebird Airboat Tour Reservations required 907-424-7135
- 1 – 9 p.m. Great Cordova Birder’s Challenge** Must pre-register at Info Table
- 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. * The Net Loft Feather and Eggs Shadowbox Workshop at Net Loft classroom. Must pre-register.
- 9 p.m. Great Cordova Birder’s Challenge awards at Reluctant Fisherman
* Indicates Cost NOT included in festival registration
*** Shuttles run every 1/2 hour.
