Online Bird Fest • May 6 - 9, 2021

Join us in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day from Thursday, May 6th through Sunday, May 9th this year.

This is where you’ll come each day to participate in a variety of fun and educational activities. You will find links to our live programs, videos to watch, and self-guided activities to download.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions! Email us at watershedwatchers@sfbayws.org.

Saturday, May 1st through Friday, May 7th

World Migratory Bird Day Photo Contest

World Migratory Bird Day is May 8, 2021 in the United States, an international education program that celebrates the migration of hundreds of bird species between their nesting habitats in North America and wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. This year's theme is Sing, Fly, Soar — Like a Bird!

The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO), a local nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats through science and outreach, is organizing a photo contest and would love to have you participate!

Submit your best photos for the following migratory-bird related categories:

  • Backyard Birding: urban dwellers
  • Mama Takes the Wheel: mama birds with their fledglings
  • Rest Stop: birds resting, feeding, or drinking
  • On the Road Again: birds in flight
  • World-Traveler: a non-resident species that is just stopping by on their journey

Your photo could be one from past outdoor trips, or something you take this week. Submissions are due by end of day Friday, May 7th via email: outreach_intern@sfbbo.org or on Instagram with the hashtag #BirdsOnTheRoad2021. Winners for each category will be featured on SFBBO social media pages.

Thursday, May 6th

Theme: Wildflowers & Pollinators – Happy National Wildflower Week!

Live Program

Birdy Hour Speaker Series with Tyler McFadden: Birds in a Changing Bay Area – Long-term Trends at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Register here: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTEzMjYz

Videos to Watch

Take a tour of our Butterfly Garden with Ranger Rachel!: https://youtu.be/upvPNYQsxcI
What is a Watershed? https://youtu.be/LVvVXWgIZ-c

Self-guided Activities

Pollinator Coloring Page: ⮇ Click here to download the guide (PDF 1.5 MB) ⮇
Wildflower Walk: ⮇ Click here to download the guide (PDF 12 MB) ⮇

Bird Scavenger Hunt with SFBBO starts today! (your observations due Monday, May 10th): Check out the live program offering tomorrow (see below) for a how-to and informational session. Collect your observations through Sunday, May 9th and submit by Monday, May 10th. For more information visit: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTE0ODY1

Take photos/videos of yourself doing activities throughout the day!

Social Media

Facebook Posts: Visit https://www.facebook.com/sanfranciscobaywildlifesociety
Blog Post: http://sfbayws.org/blog

Friday, May 7th

Theme: Art & Photography

Live Program

Migratory Bird Scavenger Hunt How-to with SFBBO, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Register here: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTE0ODY1

Videos to Watch

Visit Cali’s Crib (aka our California Ridgway’s Rail’s home, the Salt Marsh!) Featuring Ranger Tracy: https://youtu.be/sI9F--CRPWk
Draw with a Ranger: Snowy Plover. Featuring Ranger Hope: https://youtu.be/5h4jRkm_eiM

Self-guided Activities

DIY Binoculars: ⮇ Click here to download the guide (PDF 1 MB) ⮇
Cali Mask: ⮇ Click here to download the guide (PDF 885 kB) ⮇

Photo Contest with SFBBO – submissions due! *See description above.

Take photos/videos of yourself doing activities throughout the day!

Social Media

Facebook Posts: Visit https://www.facebook.com/sanfranciscobaywildlifesociety

Saturday, May 8th

Theme: Migratory Birds of San Francisco Bay – Happy World Migratory Bird Day!

Live Program

How We Study Migratory Birds: Bird Banding Demo with SFBBO, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Register here: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTE0NTUz

Videos to Watch

What Makes a Bird, a Bird? Featuring Ranger Genie: https://youtu.be/mladLZzcJPM
Beaks & Feet. Featuring Ranger Genie: https://youtu.be/ZqPMxSDmq1w

Self-guided Activities

Bird Window Decals: ⮇ Click here to download the guide (PDF 2 MB) ⮇
Bird Word Search: ⮇ Click here to download the guide (PDF 607 kB) ⮇
Bird Walk through the New Chicago Marsh at Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso! (featuring Santa Clara Valley Audubon’s self-guided field trip): https://scvas.org/self-guided-birding/new-chicago-marsh-spring

Take photos/videos of yourself doing activities throughout the day!

Social Media

Facebook Posts: Visit https://www.facebook.com/sanfranciscobaywildlifesociety
and https://www.facebook.com/SanFranciscoBayNWRComplex

Sunday, May 9th

Theme: Mama Birds in the Marsh – Happy Mother’s Day!

Videos to Watch

Happy Mother’s Day (Baby Birds in the Marsh): https://youtu.be/hknhHW4rNhM

Self-guided Activities

Mother’s Day Handprint Card: ⮇ Click here to download the guide (PDF 745 kB) ⮇
Mother’s Day Gift (DIY Bird Feeder): ⮇ Click here to download the guide (PDF 1.4 MB) ⮇

Take photos/videos of yourself doing activities throughout the day!

Social Media

Facebook Posts: Visit https://www.facebook.com/sanfranciscobaywildlifesociety
Blog Post: http://sfbayws.org/blog

The Online Bird Fest 2021 special event is brought to you by San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society, San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society in partnership with the Don Edwards San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge thanks you for participating in this program in the comfort of your home. During these times it is important that we have fun and creative quality time with our family and loved ones, and we hope this at-home activity provides you with such an opportunity.