Sue Leskiw, Godwit Days
Godwit Days Returns to Large, In-Person Festival April 13-16
Godwit Days is a spring migration bird festival that celebrates the Marbled Godwit and all birds of Redwood Coast forests, bays, marshes, and mudflats. The Arcata Community Center is the departure hub for most trips and houses vendor booths and a silent auction. Choose from over 70 field trips, lectures, and workshops! Visit www.godwitdays.org to register.
New Events
Fourteen new field trips are offered, six of them centered around the theme of “Renewal and Restoration” (recently completed habitat improvement projects). Other new events focus on “avian hotspots” in Eureka, Arcata, and McKinleyville; “late risers” and “within a 5-mile radius”; coastal birding warm-up; Lost Coast Headlands/Russ Ranch wetlands; Fay Slough; and SoHum Community Park.
Featured Speakers
On Friday night, Tiana Williams-Claussen, Director of the Yurok Tribe’s Wildlife Department, and Chris West, manager of the Tribe’s Northern California Condor Restoration Program, will share the podium for a free lecture. They will enlighten us about the Tribe’s 14-year journey — in partnership with governmental and other entities — to bring Prey-go-neesh home to the Pacific Northwest.
Saturday keynoters are Lisa Ballance and husband Robert Pitman, speaking about “Clipperton Island: Booby Research on a Tropical Desert Isle.” Bob spent 40 years as a marine bird and mammal researcher, participating in survey cruises in all the world’s oceans. Lisa, director of Oregon State’s Marine Mammal Institute, has studied ecology and conservation biology of whales, dolphins, and porpoises (and seabirds) for over 30 years. Clipperton is a tiny, low-lying desert atoll in the eastern tropical Pacific. It is surrounded by very productive tropical waters and tens of thousands of Masked and Brown Boobies crowd its barren shores.
Something for Everyone
Popular events continue to be offered daily, such as Spotted Owl, Dawn Chorus, and Shorebird Spectacle at the Marsh. Half-day sessions are $10-20, with full-day trips $25-30 (except for the eight “Gold” trips that are smaller and include a bag lunch). On many events, a paying adult can bring a child under 16 at no additional charge.
Free Events
Free events include 16 field trips/workshops/lectures (registration required); the Friday night opening reception (Wildberries is a major sponsor); and lectures, vendor and information booths and family nature crafts on Sunday. All entries in the 20th Annual Student Bird Art Contest by Humboldt County students in grades K-12, cosponsored by Friends of the Arcata Marsh and Redwood Region Audubon Society, will be on display.
Godwit Goodies: Buy & Bid!
Look over Silent Auction goodies in the main hall (auction closes Saturday at 7 p.m.). To donate items, email sueleskiw1@gmail.com. Stop by the Godwit booth to purchase 2023 festival t-shirts featuring Tori McConnell’s new rendition of a Marbled Godwit. (Between 2014 and 2017, Tori placed 1st or 2nd as a high school student entering the Student Bird Art Contest with her artwork of godwits.)