I apologize for getting this information out so late, but here it is! Starting this week, the San Diego Bird Festival will be happening over at the Marina Village Conference Center in Quivira Basin, Mission Bay.
If you love birds, this conference is especially for you!
Let’s take a look at everything that the Festival has to offer- from fantastic field trips, thought-provoking lectures, as well as a prominent vendor Exhibit Hall which has everything you didn’t know that you needed!
Officially it will begin online today.
When?– February 16- February 19– Marina Village Conference Center
How Much? There is a 30 dollar registration fee, and each event, unless designated as free, will have individual prices.
I looked at the registration page and came up with these prices.
Again, you will see the right price once you register.
Table of Contents
General Fees-
- $30- registration fee
- $150- most bus trips
- $50- most meet you there trips
- $65- Birding by Bike
- $80- Kayaking
- $10- most lectures
- $25- keynote talks
Exhibit Hall Hours-
- Wednesday- 3 pm to 6 pm
- Thursday- 1 pm to 6 pm
- Friday- 1 pm to 6 pm
- Saturday- 10pm to 6 pm
- Sunday- 10 am to 2 pm
San Diego Birding Festival Field Trips
Below, I have given a straightforward explanation of each field trip offered this year!
Birding the Border
Check out known Tijuana River Valley birding hotspots near the Mexico border, which includes Dairy Mart Ponds, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and the J Street Marina.
This is a bus trip.
Camp Pendleton Birding
Visit one of the largest continuous expanses of California sage coastal scrub, a precious habitat that supports the threatened California gnatcatcher and the Spotted Towee, California thrasher, bushtits Bewick’s wrens, lesser goldfinch, and wintering white crown sparrow.
This is a bus trip.
Dancing With Grebes
At a lake in Escondido, witness three different species: Western, Clark’s, and Eared Grebes perform their courtship displays. This is a meet at the lake function.
This is a meet you there trip.
Tecolote Canyon
It is located near Old Town, one of the largest continuous canyons in urban San Diego. Tecolote Canyon is home to many coastal chaparral species, such as California thrasher, Spotted, and California towhees, wrentit, Nuttall’s woodpecker, and red-shouldered hawks.
This is a meet you there field trip.
Birding by Kayak
Kayak the swallow end of South San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and if conditions permit, you will also venture into the Chula Vista Wildlife Refuge.
This is a meet you there field trip.
Birding Famosa Slough
Journey on a guided walk through an urban wetland with the Friends of Famosa Slough. This incredible organization has been helping by many restoration projects led by volunteers through the years. Famosa Slough is once again is being used by migratory birds!
This is a meet you there field trip.
Birding by Bike
Come along on a birding and bike ride around Mission Bay. This 8-mile loop will take you along the Bay to see, Black Skimmers, terns as well as the many perching birds in the trees.
You will also bike over to the San Diego River to check out the shorebirds and ducks. Bikes and helmets are provided, but use the code BIRDBIKE for a discount if you have your own bike.
Birding for Beginners in Mission Bay
Are you a new bird watcher and want to learn more about how to identify birds? You will first meet at Vacation Island at the model yacht pond and then go back to the Marina Village Conference Center to discuss what was seen.
This is a meet you there field trip.
Pelagic Trips
Join several knowledgeable leaders who will introduce you to many birds that only live offshore. You will be traveling about 14 miles offshore to visit 9-mile Bank and the Coronado Escarpment.
Bird Photography at the Zoo
Join Ed Henry a learn tips on photographing birds. The price of admission is included in the purchase of this field trip.
This is a meet you there event.
Mountain Field Trip
You will see Stellar’s Jay, several types of woodpeckers, and nuthatches on a hike from Mile Marker 19 to Big Laguna Lake in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Rocky Shores Saturday
Join Stan Walens and Martha Wild and explore and search for shorebirds on rock jetties, rocky cliffs, and breakwaters on the coast of San Diego.
This is a meet you there event.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Bird and Walking Trail
Join the staff of FWS and Birdablility leaders on the .4mile Bird and Walking Trail parallels to Bayshore Bikeway from 10th Street to 7th Street in Imperial Beach. You will have spectacular views of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
This is a meet you there event.
Birding By Ear
Take your birding to the next level! Join both Hank Ingersoll and Geoff Rogers as they familiarize you with the sounds of 16 species of local birds. You will start the morning inside, and around 9:00 am, all will venture into the field to see if you recognize any of the bird calls.
Let’s Explore iNaturalists and eBird with the Floyds
Explore the outdoors with Hannah and her dad Ted while using the phone apps, iNaturalists, and eBird.
Big Day Tours
Explore the birds of San Diego County to see over 100 different species. Habitats you will visit include: canyons, coastal chaparral, oak woodlands, foothills, and inland lakes.
- Thursday-Sponsered by Sabrewing Tours- Guided by Kathryn Wendel, Rick Grove Tyler Ficker
- Friday-Sponsered by Sabrewing Tours- Guided by Eitan Altman and Tyler Ficker
- Saturday- Big Day Second Session- Guided by Rick Grove
San Diego Bird Festival Lectures
Bird Migration: Marvels, Myths, and Mysteries
Take a deep dive into the wonders of bird migration across the seven continents with a delightful slideshow presented by Phil Pryde. Discover some very unique feathered travelers.
Bird Brains with Bud Titlow
A unique experience listening to the world-renowned photographer Bud Titlow as he shares with you the many striking and humorous birding tales he has witnessed for over 45 years
Harpy Eagles and Other Wonders in Darien
Join Carlos Betancourt as he showcases the wild and diverse habitat found in Darien in eastern Panama. Darien is a Central American birding paradise where many rare bird species flourish, especially the Harpy and Crested Eagles.
Pelagic Bird ID
Brush up on the how-tos of identifying pelagic birds before the famous upcoming trips.
Drawing Birds as Living Animals
A highly noted graphic designer and artist for San Diego, Audobon- David Stump, will give this two-day workshop. The goal is to draw from the inside out by better understanding their anatomy. It is recommended for all levels.
Engaging Birds & Nature with iNaturalist: Sharing, Discovery, & Citizen Science
Learn from teen naturalist Hannah Floyd as she will give you the inside tips on how to use iNaturalist. Â On Sunday, join Hannah and her father Ted while in the field.
Photographing Birds in Flight
Presented by Krisztina Scheeff of KS Photograph . Learn how to take better photos of birds in flight.
Birdlife at Lake Apopka, Florida, and Surrounding North Shore Wetlands
After 20 years of restoration, Lake Apopka is now the number one birding hotspot on E-Bird in Florida, with 370 species documented.
David Walker
Catios-Everything There is to Know About Cat Patios
Presented by Alan Breslauer, who gives you many reasons one should have a catio.
Native Plants for Wildlife
Everyone knows that Native plants are best for wild birds. Here you will find out which plants you can grow to best help the birds of San Diego.
Birding in Costa Rica
Learn about why Costa Rica is a unique birding paradise from Jehudy Carballo. He will discuss Cano Negro in the north to San Vito in the south, all the while pointing out where all of the best birding hotspots are located!
All About Bird Friendly Coffee
Find out how to find a choice of coffee that helps birds.
Native Seed Libraries: a Grassroot Movement That is Really Growing
Presented by Anahi Mendez and Andrew Meyer
Joys and Misadventures of an Ambitious Bird Artist
Join bird artist Christina Baal, who has a unique goal in life- to meet and draw over 10,000 different species of birds. Her one hope is that she will inspire you to incorporate bird art into your own life!
Dark Skies Initiatives
Get an idea about how light pollution affects not only humans but birds and how Dark Skies Initiative has been improving communities.
A Photographic Journey Around the Galapagos with Krisztina Scheef
Join award-winner photographer Krisztina Scheef as she presents a photo tour and a close-up look of all that she encountered while traveling aboard a catamaran around the many islands of the Galapagos.
Be the Bird: Mindfulness Meditation with Tammah Watts
Join Tammah Watts as she explores the healing power of birds and a way to connect with nature and ourselves.
How to Lead a Field Trip
Join Mollee Brown from the Birding Co-op as she gives you fantastic tips on what it takes to lead a successful field trip.
Wastewater Wonderlands with Budd Tidlow
Budd Tidlow will present specific examples of how you can simultaneously benefit wastewater reuse wetlands, which creates exceptionally productive wild bird habitats.
San Diego Bird Festival 2022 Keynote Speeches
Wednesday
Who Knew! The Unfamiliar Stories of Some of the Most Familiar Birds in America- Presented by Ted Floyd from the American Birding Association
Thursday
Keep Looking Up: the Healing Powers of Birding- Presented by Tammah Watts
Friday
A Birding and Nature Paradise, Panama!-Â Presented by Carlos Bethancourt
Saturday
Birding is for Every Body- Presented by Freya McGregor and Virginia Rose
San Diego Bird Festival Schedule
Down below is the official schedule for the 2022 San Diego Bird Festival. Click on the link provided to go to the official registration website.
—>2022 OFFICIAL BIRD FESTIVAL SCHEDULE<—
February 13, 2022– online
- 8:30 am to 9:30 am- Photography Workshop with Chris Smith and Alex Eisengart– Three-Part Series
- Field Session on Sunday-February 16 at 12:30 pm
- Bird Photography Workshop Post Festival Session– February 27- 8:30 am to 9:30 am
- 9:00 am to 4:00 pm- Bird Photography Day at San Diego Bird Festival (free )
February 16, 2022
- 3 00 pm to 6:00 pm- Opening Reception– Sponsered by Zeiss
- 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm- Coffee Tasting with Solbird Coffee
- 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm- Wednesday Key Note- Who Knew! The Unfamiliar Stories of Some of the Most Familiar Birds in America- Presented by Ted Floyd from the American Birding Association
February 17, 2022
- 6:00 am to 2:00 pm- Birding the Border Thursday– Sponsered by Leica-Guided by Whitney Lanfranco and Autumn Turner
- 6:30 am to 1:30 pm-Â Camp Pendelton Thursday– Guided by Peter Ginsburg
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm- Big Day Thursday– Sponsered by Sabrewing Tours
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm- Birding the Border Second Section– Guided by Bruce Aird and Dan Jehl
- 7:00 am to 11:00 am- Dancing with Grebes Thursday– Guided by Krisztina Scheef and David Hekel
- 8:00 am to 11:30 am- Birding by Kayak Thursday– Sponsered by Ocean Connectors, Chula Vista Kayak- Guided by Ida Kaller-Vincent
- 8:30 am to 12:00 pm- Famosa Slough Thursday– Guided by Jim Peugh and Jeff Bouton
- 9:00 am to 1:00 pm- Birding by Bike Thursday– Guided by Hannah Buschert and Eric Ostrander
- 9:30 am to 12:00 pm- A Good IDEA: Putting the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and in Birding Workshop– Presented by Virginia Rose and Freya McGregor
- 10:00 am to 2:30 pm- Birding for Beginners– Guided by Hank Ingersoll and Christina Baal
- 10:30 am to 12:30 pm- Pelagic Bird ID– Presented by Stan Walens
- 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm- Bird Migration: Marvels, Myths, and Mysteries– Presented by Phil Pryde
- 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm- Bird Brains with Budd Titlow
- 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm- Harpy Eagles and Other Wonders in Darien-Â Presented by Carlos Betancourt
- 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm- Thursday Keynote: Keep Looking Up: the Healing Powers of Birding- Presented by Tammah Watts
February 18, 2022
- 6:00 am to 2:00 pm- Birding the Border Second Session Friday– Guided by Kathryn Wendel and John Dumlao
- 6:00 am to 2:00 pm- Birding the Border Friday– Sponsered by Leica- Guided by Whitney Lanfranco and Rick Grove
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm- Big Day Friday– Sponsered by Sabrewing Tours- Guided by Eitan Altman and Tyler Ficker
- 7:00 am to 11:00 am- Dancing with Grebes Friday– Guided by Krisztina Scheef and David Hekel
- 7:00 am to 3:00 pm- Pelagic Trip Friday- Sponsered by Swarovski Optik- Guided by Virginia Rose, Freya McGregor, and David Povey
- 8:00 am to 11:00 am- Bird Photography at the Zoo- Guided by Ed Henry
- 8:00 am to 11:00 am- Tecolote Canyon Friday– Guided by Anitra Kay and Mollee Brown
- 8:00 am to 11:30 am- Birding by Kayak Friday– Sponsered by Ocean Connectors, Chula Vista Kayak- Guided by Ida Kaller-Vincent
- 8:00 am to 1:00 pm- Mountain Trip Friday– Guided by Autumn Turner and Bruce Aird
- 8:00 am to 12:00 pm- Famosa Slough- Sponsered by Kowa– Guided by Jim Peugh and Jeff Bouton
- 9:00 am to 1:00 pm- Drawing Birds as Living Animals– Presented by David Stump
- 9:00 am to 11:30 pm- Engaging Birds & Nature with i-Naturalist: Sharing, Discovery, & Citizen Science-Â Presented by Hannah Floyd
- 9:00 am to 1:00 pm- Birding by Bike Friday– Guided by Hannah Buschert and Eric Ostrander
- 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm- Photographing Birds in Flight– Presented By Krisztina Scheeff
- 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm- Birdlife at Lake Apopka, Florida, and Surrounding North Shore Wetlands– Presented by David Walker
- 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm- Catios-Everything there is to know about cat patios– Presented by Alan Breslauer
- 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm- Native Plants for Wildlife– Presented by Diane Kennedy and Miranda Kennedy
- 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm- Birding in Costa Rica– Presented by Jehudy Carballo
- 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm- Bird Trivia Night With Zovargo
- 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm- Friday Keynote: A Birding and Nature Paradise, Panama!-Â Presented by Carlos Bethancourt
February 19, 2022
- 6:00 am to 2:00 pm- Birding the Border Saturday-Sponsered by Leica-Guided by Whitney Lanfranco, Robert Patton, and Elizbeth Copper
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm- Big Day Second Session- Guided by Rick Grove
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm-Â Birding the Border Saturday– Guided by Bruce Aird and Eitan Altman
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm-Â Big Day Saturday– Sponsered by Sabrewing Tours-Guided by Tyler Ficker, Eric Ripma
- 7:00 am to 3:00 pm- Pelagic Trip Saturday- Sponsered by Swarovski Optik- Guided by David Povey
- 7:00 am to 11:00 am-Â Dancing with Grebes Friday-Guided by Krisztina Scheef and David Hekel
- 7:00 am to 1:30 am- Rocky Shores Saturday- Guided by Stan Walens and Martha Wild
- 8:00 am to 11:30 am- Birding by Kayak Saturday– Sponsered by Ocean Connectors-Guided by Lesley Handa and Ida Kaller-Vincent
- 8:00 am to 1:00 pm- Mountain Trip Saturday– Guided by Kathryn Wendel and Jonny Sperling
- 8:00 am to 11:00 am- Tecolote Canyon Friday– Guided by Anitra Kay and Mollee Brown
- 8:00 am to 10:00 am- FWS Birding and Walking Trail– Guided by FWS Staff, Virginia Rose, and Freya McGregor
- 8:30 am to 12:00 pm- Famosa Slough- Sponsered by Kowa– Guided by Jim Peugh and Jeff Bouton
- 9:00 am to 1:00 pm- Birding by Bike Saturday-Guided by Hannah Buschert and Eric Ostrander
- 9:00 am to 1:00 pm- Drawing Birds as Living Animals– Presented by David Stump
- 10:00 am to 1:00 pm- Coffee Tasting with SolBird Coffee
- 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm- All About Bird-Friendly Coffee-Â Presented by Marla Metz of SolBird Coffee
- 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm-Native Seed Libraries: a Grassroot Movement That is Really Growing-Â Presented by Anahi Mendez and Andrew Meyer
- 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm- Joys and Misadventures of an Ambitious Bird Artist– Presented by Chistina Baal
- 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm- Dark Skies Initiative
- 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm- A Photographic Journey Around the Galapagos with Krisztina Scheef
- 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm- Saturday Thank You Mixer– Sponsered by Leica (free)
- 4;30 pm to 5:30 pm- Be the Bird: Mindfulness Meditation with Tammah Watts
- 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm- Saturday Keynote: Birding is for Every Body- Presented by Freya McGregor and Virginia Rose
February 20, 2022
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm- Big Day Second Session Sunday- Guided by Phil Pryde and Barbara Kus
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm-Â Big Day Sunday– Sponsered by Sabrewing Tours- Guided by Bruce Aird and Tyler Ficker
- 6:30 am to 2:30 pm-Â Birding the Border Saturday-Sponsered by Leica- Guided by Kathryn Wendel and Jonny Sperling
- 7:00 am to 1:00 pm- Mountain Trip Sunday- Guided by John Dumlao and Martha Wild
- 7:00 am to 1:30 pm- Rocky Shore Sunday- Guided by Stan Walens
- 7:00 am to 11:00 am-Â Dancing with Grebes Sunday- Guided by Krisztina- Scheef and David Hekel
- 7:00 am to 3:00 pm- Pelagic Trip Sunday- Sponsered by Swarovski Optik
- 7:30 am to 12:00 pm- Birding by Ear- Presented by Hank Ingersoll and Geoff Rogers
- 8:00 am to 11:30 am- Birding by Kayak Sunday– Sponsered by Ocean Connectors- Guided by Lesley Handa and Ida Kaller-Vincent
- 8:30 am to 12:00 pm- Let’s Explore iNaturalists and eBird with the Floyds
- 8:30 am to 12:30 pm- Bird Photography Workshop: Field Session– Part of the Photography Bundle
- 8:30 am to 12:00 pm-Â Famosa Slough- Sponsered by Kowa– Guided by Jim Peugh and Jeff Bouton
- 9:00 am to 1:00 pm- Birding by Bike Sunday– Sponsered by Hannah Buschert and Eric Ostrander
- 10:30 am to 1:30 pm- How to Lead a Field Trip– Presented by Mollee Brown
- 11:30 am to 12:30 pm- Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary
- 1:30 am to 2:30 pm- Wastewater Wonderlands with Budd Titlow
February 27, 2022
- 8:30 am- 9:30 am- Bird Photography Workshop Post Festival Session
Resources–
Helpful Posts–
- Best San Diego Birding Hotspots
- Getting to Know San Onofre State Beach
- San Diego Bay- A Photo Tour
- La Jolla Coast Walk Trail- Let’s Go!
- Touring The Living Coast Discovery Center
- San Diego Lagoons and Nature Centers
I have always had a deep-seated passion for the Ocean Environment which ultimately led me to receive a degree in Marine Biology. Living in the San Diego area for over 30 years, I have extensively explored the 70 miles of San Diego’s coastline, and I am here to share! Please use my website to your advantage and have a look around at all the wonders that the beaches of San Diego can offer you!