Like the shorebirds it celebrates, the Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival has migrated back to Hoquiam after a pandemic-driven absence.

Birdwatchers, students and more flocked to Hoqiuam Middle School and to the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and beyond to see the winged wanderers.

“I’ve been really happy because a lot of students who have been coming through have had some knowledge of the festival,” said Lacey Wright, Americorps volunteer and environmental education coordinator for the wildlife refuge. “We’ve had students trickling in. There’s been a lot of adults going out.”

Courtesy photo/ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lacey Wright, Americorps member and environmental education coordinator for the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, presents the first place for the second grade category to Lilly Blake for her drawing of a Pacific golden plover during the award ceremony at Hoquiam Middle School on May 7.

It was the 27th iteration of the festival, Wright said.

“First festival was in 1995,” Wright said. “That one was much more focused on the birding aspect. A lot of expert birders would come out here.”

In the intervening years, the festival has broadened its reach, Wright said.

“Ever since 2002 it’s become a much more community focused event,” Wright said. “We encourage lots of arts and crafts for kids.”

Volunteers help guide tours throughout the county, Wright said.

“They go pretty much up and down the coast looking for good birding. We have volunteers who help guide these,” Wright said. “I know during yesterday’s walk I got to see a whimbrel and black turnstone. We also had some dowagers. That was a first time for a lot of people yesterday.”

The wildlife viewing area has been around since the ‘80s, Wright said. Its location and its relatively high elevation, compared to the rest of the bay, makes it a great place to birdwatch, Wright said.

Courtesy photo / Dave Hayden Birds land near the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge during the Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival.

“Bowerman Basin, in the ‘80s, was designated as an important bird areas, among many other special designations,” Wright said. “It’s the last place the birds are funneled into as the tide shifts.”

Other participants also reported a solid turnout.

“It’s been a fantastic day. We’ve had over 150 people come by our booth. I’ve learned so much from other people,” said Sue Joerger, with Twin Harbors Waterkeepers. “I think our first year was 2019 and then the pandemic happened. We’re happy to be back.”

Joerger said she was excited to the presence of those both winged and walking.

“The birds have showed up and so have people,” Joerger said. “The bird I was most excited to see yesterday is a curlew.”

Many also came out for the first- through sixth-grade art contest, the winner of which determines the festival’s art as organizers ready for next year’s event. This year’s best in show was won by first grader Kora Jones, of Beacon Elementary, who drew a long-billed curlew.

Courtesy photo / Jan Wieser Birders watch for birds at the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge during the Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival.

“Having our best of show be a first grader is very, very special,” Wright said.

And of course, Wright has her own favorite birds.

“My favorite would be godwit, the marbled godwits,” Wright said. “The godwits are one in my class that we’ve been tracking by using past year’s data of where shorebirds had traveled during past year’s cycle.”

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.